It’s New Year’s Eve, and as we say goodbye to 2018 it’s time to prepare for the annual announcements of #newyearnewme that are due to flood Instagram feeds, alongside the pressure to make wild pronouncements of how you’ll finally turn your life around in 2019.

But, as cliché as it sounds, the New Year is actually kind of a good opportunity to make some changes that can help you get ahead. If you are open to a few suggestions, here are a couple of New Year’s resolutions that can set you up for career success in 2019.

Start planning

As with every New Year, the age-old adage: “fail to plan and you plan to fail”, is once more a sentiment worthy of taking to heart.

Improving your time management and planning skills is a fantastic (and relatively simple) way to get ahead in the New Year. Buy a planner, or start using your preferred calendar app, to begin plotting out your year ahead.

Highlight what periods you know will be busy so you can be conscious of them and avoid burnout, put assignment due dates in your planner or phone a week earlier than they’re actually due, and make sure you’ve left time to relax and focus on something you enjoy.

Start building your industry skills

Another great resolution is to invest some time in getting to know your industry a bit better. This could mean vowing to go to at least 2 industry events in 2019, subscribing to an industry magazine or newsletter, volunteering at an industry-relevant charity or event, following industry leaders on LinkedIn and engaging others in conversation on the platform, or arranging a few coffee catch-ups with people in your industry.

Building these skills and connections now will make entering the workforce a lot less daunting in the long run, and can help set you up with a network who can support you as you enter the field.

Start getting passionate

This last one is a bit more YOU-centric. In 2019, make it a goal to invest time in doing something that you love, that you’re really passionate about. Whether it’s taking up a travel opportunity, working on that book you’ve always wanted to write, creating a mod for that game you love – whatever it is, spend time doing something that brings you joy.

Not only is this a great idea for your mental health, it’s also a good way to build skills and experience, while giving you permission to step back from work or study and focus on something that’s just for you. Plus, it’s a wonderful feeling to be able to look back on your year and feel proud of something you’ve achieved with your own initiative and drive.

Hopefully these suggestions can give you a little motivation for the New Year. From all of us at Careers, we hope it’s a good one!

Featured image courtesy of Unsplash