At this time of year, I’m reminded of a history lesson at school and learning how January is named after Janus. He was the Roman god of beginnings, gates, transitions, doorways and endings and had two faces – one looking to the future and one looking to the past.
As we look behind us before moving ahead properly into 2019, I’m going to share 10 career aspirations you’ll be able to keep this year.
I originally wrote this article for INFLUENCE from the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) and now it’s gone live there, I’m also sharing it with All Things IC’s blog readers.
2021 update: I’ve just launched a brand new Online Masterclass to help you review and plan your 2021-2022 internal comms. It’s available now from the Online Masterclasses website.
How to set your professional goals for 2019
Grab a piece of paper or open a new document file and jot down your answers. I find the only way to have any chance of new year goals or aspirations lasting to Easter and beyond is to make them visible, tangible and realistic.
I encourage you to hold yourself to account e.g. making promises to yourself in 30-day increments.
1: Personalise your goals
You don’t need to write reams or copy what others write. But do make them SMART: specific, measurable, achievable, realistic/relevant, time-bound.
Short on time? Try creating answers to these statements:
This month/year I will:
- start…
- stop…
- continue…
Further reading via All Things IC: Do you like to map out your goals and aspirations? So do I. Get a copy of my All Things IC workbook/journal to help you plan your goals. They are £5.99 +VAT each for UK buyers and a hardcopy will be posted to you. Outside of the UK? There are European and US shipping options.
2: Invest time in self development
Will 2019 be the year you finally read that pile of books next to your bed? You can make it happen. Investing in your continuing professional development is essential to keep your skills fresh, knowledge up-to-date and to constantly grow. Podcasts, blogs, professional association’s publications and social media make this easier than ever. Start small, aim to read a blog post a week or book a month.
Once you’re in the habit, this becomes easy. For example, I listen to podcasts while getting dressed, it’s a part of my daily routine. Before you know it, you’ve listened to hundreds of podcasts over the course of a year. You could do this at a time that suits you e.g. walking a dog or on your commute.
Further reading on the All Things IC blog:
- How communicators learn about Comms
- 31 books to help you learn about communication
- Save your place at my 2019 Masterclasses.
3: Build your network
Who will help you achieve your career goals? Do you know the right people to help you make that next step? Building your network is essential for any Comms or PR professional to help your professional growth. As the saying goes, if you are the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room.
I recommend joining Twitter chats e.g. #CommsChat at 8pm UK time on Monday nights, or the monthly #ICBookClub chat from CIPR Inside.
Further reading on the All Things IC blog:
- How to network at Comms events
- The best questions to ask in an interview
- What’s the difference between tactics and strategy?
4: Develop inside and outside of your niche
My specialism is Internal Communication and every year I invest time, money and effort in learning as much as I can about it. But I recognise the need to expand my horizons and burst out of that “Comms bubble”, so every year I choose to learn about interrelated disciplines.
How can you do this in 2019? Look for conferences, Twitter chats, events, webinars and books that will not only help you appreciate the wider business world, but in turn deepen your understanding of your specialism and how it relates to others.
Further reading: See the All Things IC events calendar or sign up to my emails to keep updated with what’s on.
5: Choose self-care
What does your self-care and wellbeing routine look like for 2019? How can you invest time in creating space for you?
Working in Comms is incredibly visible for many practitioners, how can you build in time for wellbeing? Ideas include being offline, choosing to spend time outside away from devices or blocking time in your diary for an activity you love. How can you encourage your team to do the same?
Further reading on the All Things IC blog: How Scottish Natural Heritage focuses on wellbeing.
6: Prioritise your mental health
What are your mental health habits like? It’s common to plan health goals for the year ahead, but what are your mental health goals?
Being aware of your mental health habits and triggers can help you set goals for the year ahead. What do you need to start/stop/continue to enable you to thrive this year?
Further reading on the All Things IC blog: How to communicate World Mental Health Day.
7: Ask for help
What do you need help with this year? Write down the areas you’d like to develop in 2019. Who do you need to know to help you achieve them? You could consider joining a mentoring scheme, appointing a business coach or asking someone in your organisation to advise you.
Knowing what you want, then going for it, often requires asking other people for help.
8: Give help
Who could you help in 2019? Could you sign up to be a mentor with a professional association or is there someone in your organisation you think could benefit from your expertise?
Could you volunteer to speak on a webinar, via a careers fair or at a conference to share what you know? Could you offer a guest blog post opportunity to an aspiring PR pro?
Further reading on the All Things IC blog: What are the benefits of having or being a mentor?
9: Create time to think
In this ‘always-on’ world of Comms and PR, it’s common to get locked into a tactical cycle of delivery and not have time for strategic planning. How can you change this over the next 12 months? How can you block time in your diary to create time to think and plan?
10: Dream big
What will you be reflecting back on at this time next year? What will you have achieved in 2019?
Be bold, be brave and dream big.
I wish you a Happy New Year, may 2019 be a healthy and happy one for you and those you love.
Further reading: 2019 predictions for Internal Comms.
Sign up for Internal Comms training with All Things IC
Are you planning your internal comms training for this year? Don’t forget my Christmas gift of £50 off expires at the end of January 2019.
There are a variety of ways I can train you or your team this year.
Choose from :
- 90-day plan
- VIP Days
- Six-month mentoring programme
- Consultation Calls
- Desk Reviews
- In-house Masterclasses
- Bespoke Masterclasses.
My 2019 monthly Masterclass dates are now set until May. Prices are frozen until the end of this month and are £599 +VAT per place.
Choose from:
- 6 March 2019: How to be a Comms Consultant – Exploration
- 27 March 2019: Change Communication
- 10 April 2019: How to be a Comms Consultant – Momentum
- 24 April 2019: Strategic Internal Communication
- 8 May 2019: How to be a Comms Consultant – Exploration
- 22 May 2019: Internal Communication,
- 3 June 2019: Comms Director Mastermind – SOLD OUT
- 11 June 2019: Strategic Internal Communication
- 18 June 2019: How to be a Comms Consultant – Momentum
- 24 June: How to be a Comms Consultant – Exploration
- 26 June 2019: Change Communication.
Thank you for stopping by
Rachel.
Post author: Rachel Miller.
Published on the All Things IC blog 2 January 2019.
