Like many of us, you might be working from home more often. Here are 5 things to do for yourself – and for your career – while you have time to call your own.
5 Things To Do For Yourself When You’re By Yourself
Having ‘alone time’ at work is something that doesn’t happen often for many of us. Make the most of it. Many of my clients tell me they are powering up and doing many of those tasks that have been on the ‘back burner’. Have you been wanting to get ‘a round tuit’? Well, here’s your chance.
1. Revisit your career goals
When you wrote them on your ‘clean slate’ last January, you probably felt focused and confident. The past year has been a challenging one. Have you ticked any goals yet? What have you done to take you closer to achieving them?
You haven’t written any ? Never mind. Go straight to Tip #2
2. Set some SMART goals for the rest of the year
While the present reality has its restrictions, it’s a good time to be SMART about your goals.
We all know what SMART goals are. They’ve been around for a long time, but that’s because they work.
Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Timely goals have process and incentives ‘built-in’. That means added value.
Contact me for a free presentation on SMART Goals
3. Do a communications audit
Whether you run your own business, have a job, or you’re looking for a new one, it’s important to send out the right messages – all the time.
Refresh your résumé
If it’s been a while since you gave it any attention, do it now. It’s easier to keep your work history and relevant skills up to date if you revise them regularly.
Your next dream job could be on the horizon, and if your CV is looking good, the process of applying will be less of a hassle.
Re-examine your business communications
Take a fresh look at your website, your blog, your flyers and brochures – and even your letter and email templates.
- What impression do they give to potential clients?
- Is your message consistent?
- Are your communications exactly right for your purpose, and for your target market?
- Does your style convey what your business is about?
- Does everything you send out say, ‘We are expert professionals’?
Communications matter
You might be looking for employment, promoting your goods and services, or writing content. Regardless of what you are communicating, the way you do it really makes a difference.
A clumsy sentence, grammatical and spelling errors, or a poor choice of style can send the wrong message about you.
Get your communications right. There’s no time like the present.
Don’t forget your personal communication skills, either.
For some handy hints, read Public Speaking … Who, Me?
4. Update your contact list
Now is the perfect time to make sure you have contact details for prospects, clients, new introductions, and ‘those people who gave you their cards at those networking events’.
Find the business cards, the scraps of paper, and the emails, and file all the details in your contact book or on a spreadsheet. Don’t forget to add a brief note about each person’s role and interest areas, and the context of your meeting.
5. Talk to me
If you agree it’s a time for reassessment and you need help in any of these areas, then please get in touch.
I can offer useful tools to help you set directions and goals for the year ahead, and help you spruce up your personal or business communications.
Get started on these 5 Things To Do For Yourself, and your year will begin to feel a bit better.
And, as for that contact list, feel free to add Janette Parr Consulting.
See more Better Business tips.