Writing Your New Years Resolutions

As we approach the end of another year, you may be thinking that you should create some resolutions for the new year. Or maybe you remember the previous resolutions you made that were not completed - or perhaps not even begun. Well, if you have been putting off a job search because you felt the timing was not quite right, perhaps now is the time to develop a plan for a career change in the New Year.

Generally you should begin with identifying or remembering what you know about yourself - your interests, abilities, personal traits, and values that are important to you. Then you should do some brainstorming to identify potential occupations that may fit with what you know about you. Don't just think about people you know or people you see on TV at work, expand your vision of your future and maybe spend some time daydreaming of what kind of work you would like to do next.

Since you are very likely to consider a career change again during your work life, you do not have to completely remove attractive options from you list - just prioritize them. Some may just be put aside for the time being.

If you decide that you do want/need to make a change, then you can decide if you just need to change your employer or your location; other times, you find you need a career change. Whatever decision you reach, begin planning now and determine to make your New Years Resolutions a reality in 2010.


Mary Ann Davis is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in private practice providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions; including a career change or job search, as well as loss of job, retirement planning, grief work, coping with an empty nest, and other life planning issues. She is certified as a Master Career Counselor (MCC) by the National Career Development Association; a Life/Work Counselor (L/WC) by the National Employment Counseling Association; and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor (DCC). Please visit her web site at www.YourCareerPlan.com for more information.

To contact Mary Ann, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 and leave a personal and confidential message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.