Boss Lady: How the Christmas break can set you up professionally for the year

The Christmas break is a chance to relax and reset – and it is also the perfect time to plan your professional goals for the new year.

The countdown to the Christmas break is on and if you are planning lazy days in the sun without a thought of work until your first day back, you could be sending your career backwards.

Doing nothing and a lack of forward planning could see you slip down the ladder when it comes to future promotions and projects compared to your colleagues.

PLAN THE YEAR AHEAD

The end of year break is when you should review your career plan. If you don’t have one, you need to create one now matter if you work in retail or you’re an executive. Everyone should think about where they want to be in a year from now, what type of job do you want next year? What gaps do you have in your skill set and should you enrol in a course?

During the break consider doing something that will add value such as reading a book on career development, a specialist area for your work, or by someone who inspires you.

If you are considering joining a new industry, learn the lingo, do some online training to develop skills you’ll need – it’s amazing what YouTube can teach you these days. That way if you get an interview in the new year, you’ll feel like you belong already.

Just doing nothing and then starting back in late January or February and thinking okay, what do I want to do now?, will mean other people are two months ahead of you already.

Use your holiday time as a chance to plan for the year ahead professionally.

BENEFITS

Reviewing you career plan will give you a competitive advantage.

You’re actually less likely to be stressed when you plan what you’re going to do rather than winging it. It’s also easier to make decisions when you know where you are headed and you can ask for things to help you get there, strategise and pick and choose what you want to do.

REVIEW YOURSELF

Take note of what went well in 2022 and remembering what you’ve achieved. Ensure it’s on your CV or in your notes ahead of any performance reviews.

Also note those parts of your performance that could have been better and ways you can improve your output, relationships and performance.

Taking a break and switching off is a necessary part of working life. But putting everything on hold until you return to the office will only see other people going past you.

You might feel need to move more slowly on holidays, but you must keep moving forward to progress your career.

Do you have a work query for Amanda? email [e-mail]

The founder of Small Business Women Australia, Amanda is a key mentor and career advisor