The New Year always tends to generate excitement over the possibilities of what exciting new things may happen in your career. The New Year resolution is often a fleeting promise of something better that often goes unfulfilled. The one resolution, however, that keeps on giving is the once yearly career check-up. If only to remind you once a year to randomly check in on your career, this easy task allows you to make certain that your career is running along on the right track. If you would rather not do your check up on New Year’s Day, choose a random date in your new calendar. I have created the habit of doing this every year and write, “is this where I where I want to be?”

This simple task gives me the permission once a year to remember the choices I have made and the choices I still can make regarding my level of ambition, my career direction, any additional learning, new career goals to set, etc. In addition, I also go through this simple checklist.

1. Do I love (enjoy) what I do?
   
   Yes, I have had the luxury of spending the better part of my 35 years of work experience loving what I do! Whenever there was doubt, I would redirect my efforts to make sure that at the very least, I was happy in my work. When you spend most of your life time doing something, you ought to enjoy it! Ask yourself: do you love what you do?
   
   
2. Do I have a reputation that I want others to recognize?
   
   Many times people do not check into the image that they represent to others. Recently, a man that I know was shocked that his coworkers all agreed that he was a jerk. Very surprised at being told this by more than one person, he started asking his friends. They concurred. However, the friends were kind enough to tell him the specifics; that his behavior was often arrogant and aloof; uncaring behavior in direct contradiction to the things that he said and the type of work that he supported. Ask yourself: How does the world see you?
   
   
3. Am I managing my priorities well: at home and within work?
   
   I know very few people who are not overwhelmed in their lives. Look at your priorities. You may be caught up in doing what other people demand and short-cutting your own needs. It is tough to have a healthy and successful career if the rest of your life is a mess. Ask yourself: Are the things most important to you getting the attention they deserve?
   
   
4. Do I have a false sense of success?
   
   At one point in my life, I worked three jobs. Many people who visit my home and see my present level of success do not know that I also was on welfare in my very early life. No matter how much I own, what I drive or what I buy, I know that my success is never promised to me. My mission and commission in my work is contributing to the ongoing success of others. Once my actions became fully aligned with that realization, career success came easy and the success that I enjoy; very fulfilling. Ask yourself: How many people can you help to be more successful?
   
   
5. Am I fully utilizing all of my talents?
   
   Take inventory of your talents and uniqueness. Being stuck doing unfulfilling work makes you feel that you are daily digging a deeper grave. Often, your talents will not be recognized unless you call attention to them. Ask yourself: Are you letting others know what you can really do?
   
   
6. Are my promotional tools up to date?
   
   In my field, my promotional tools are my website and my profile as well as articles or books that I publish. For you, it mostly is your resume and your ability to verbally “toot your own horn” about your value to others. Your resume/profile should be updated every six months. You should also keep a daily accomplishment journal to seed your memory. Ask yourself: Are you ready to hit the ground running if your job status changes?
   
   
7. Is my workplace value clear?
   
   If I hear one more person complain about how much money they make, I will scream! If you are underpaid, you have decisions to make that can change that. Get more training. Change jobs. Start dressing the part. If you accept what you clearly state is beneath your value, you have no one to blame but yourself. Ask yourself: Are you doing all that you can to present your true value?
   
   
8. Does my career align with personal motivations or purpose?
   
   Motivations can change over the lifetime of a career. It’s the example of the Wall Street broker who wakes up one day and realizes he wants to bake cakes for a living. It is OK to change your mind or to have different career and life experiences. It is also important to honor these choices. Ask yourself: Are you OK with the reasons why you work?

Well, that’s my check list for the New Year. How did you do? Create a new habit of a career checkup once a year. Here’s wishing you all the career success you deserve!