The New Year is approaching and for many people this is the time to make their New Year’s resolutions and hope that the New Year will bring them a new life. In order to change your life you have to know first what you want to change and what to expect from your new life. Several studies about New Year’s resolutions showed the most popular wishes people make for the New Year. These include the following: Better financial position, lose the extra weight, find a better job, drink less alcohol, quit smoking, and manage stress better and life a more relaxing life. The chances are that your own new year’s resolutions fall into these categories. Below we outline some tips that can help you turn your resolutions into a reality.

1. Better financial position

The economic crisis has made this resolution the most popular. Unfortunately modern life is based on money and more and more people are concerned about their financial position and especially about their debts. If you can manage your debts better you will be able to enjoy a better life. Of course money is not the only factor for a happy life but it certainly helps a lot. One of the ways to manage your debts is to analyze your expenses and develop a budget to track your earnings and spending. A budget is the first step for understanding your true financial position. You will be able to see how much you earn and how much money you spend. You can start by creating a list of all your income sources. Then create a list of your standard expenses (rent, mortgage, loans, insurance etc).  Next add to the expenses list items that are not constant (shopping, bills, entertainment etc). Make sure that you write down all your expenses even those you think are not important (money spend for hair cut etc). Sum up your earnings and expenses and study the results. If your earnings are more then you can save some money or do a small investment, if the spending are more then you need to either find ways to increase your earnings (for example get a part-time job) or find ways to reduce your expenses. Put your expenses in order of priority and make sure that you can cover the basics (housing, food, health care, education) and think which ones can be reduced. This little exercise will certainly help you to understand your financial position better and plan next year based on your economic abilities. If you want you can also use a computer software or mobile software to help you maintain your budget all year long.

2. Lose weight

Weight loss is unfortunately among the most popular New Year’s resolutions. Almost 7 out of 10 people include weight loss in their list. This is because a large percentage of the population is overweight or obese. When you set your weight loss goals for next year you should have in mind that weight loss takes time and any attempt you make to lose weight must be done gradually and in a healthy way. For example if your goal is to lose 10 pounds then you should set a timeline of at least 9 months to achieve this. Do not expect that you can meet your weight loss goals from the first couple on months. If you do your weight loss with patience then at the end of the year you will be very happy that you managed to meet your weight loss resolutions. Some weight loss tips to follow are outlined below:

Drink water. At least 2 glasses of water per hour.

Eat red meat only once per week. Instead prefer fish (especially tuna) or poultry.

Avoid soft drinks and full fat daily products

Eat smaller food portions more frequently

Eat a good breakfast in the morning and a light lunch in the evening

Include a lot of fruits and green vegetables in your diet and as part of your meals

Start exercising for at least 20 minutes per day. Exercise may include walking or other form of cardio activity.

3. Find a better job

Many people wish that they find a better job next year. This is not very easy to achieve especially when the unemployment rates are rising and more and more people stay with out a job. It is not though impossible to achieve if you do it correctly. To make a career change you need to perform the following steps:

Find out what you want to do with your career. What kind of job you want to do and under what conditions.

Search the market and analyze if they are any opportunities available

Analysis your own skills and talents, find out your strengths and weakness

Think of ways on how to promote your strong points and hide your weak points

Make a plan of how to approach the career change and follow your plan until your goals are met

4. Drink less Alcohol

Alcoholism is an addiction that does not offer anything to anyone. On the contrary alcoholism creates problem to the health of people and to the way of life in general. If you believe that you fall in this category then move this New Year’s resolution on top of the list. It is very important to find ways to stop drinking than any other resolution. Believe in your self that you can quit this nasty habit and get some assistance to help you do it. Do not leave this continue for one more year, the quicker you get rid of alcohol from your life the better is for your health and life.

5. Quit Smoking

Besides the well known problems that smoking can cause there are a lot of people who are still smoking. These people wait for the New Year to quit smoking and make their effort. The good news is that a lot of people manage to stop smoking on New Year than any other period of the year. If you are still under the smoking addiction then the upcoming year is the best time to quit smoking for good.

6. Manage Stress

All the resolutions described above represent problems of every day life. These problems create another bigger problem: stress. Stress is a modern disease. Each and every person on the planet today suffers from stress in one way or another. A bit of stress is good because it can keep you alert and focus but most of the cases stress can create serious health problems. People who manage to control stress in their life are in position to enjoy a better, happier and healthier life. Stress is not easy to control but if you manage to do it the benefits are more than you can imagine. Some stress management and health tips include: proper time management, exercise, healthy diet, good sleep, and relaxation techniques, find a hobby.

7. Life a happier life

Another thing that many people wish is next year to be a happier year. Happiness assists people in enjoying the merits life has to offer. To find happiness in your life you have to search for it and win it. It is not difficult if you really want to live a happier life. Start appreciating what you have achieved so far in your life and be grateful about it. Get closer to people you love and trust, and start thinking positive about the future. Approach life from a different perspective and next year can be the best year of your life.

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Do you feel that your professional life is stuck and you feel that you need to change your career and seek a new direction? There are some thoughts that create brave decisions that are able to change your life. The career change may be one of those decisions. But is it realistic to talk about career change in the midst of economic recession? Yet in this very moment is urgent more than ever before to do careful planning of your career. So take your job in your hands and not wait for external factors (such as a dismissal) to ” force you” to make a change in your career.

You want something better or you know that you have more capabilities, but you do not know what. You know that you are ready to deal with what is important to you and what is making you to feel better and give you more rewards. It is time to evaluate and see your true potential.

Create your own action plan for a career change

Maybe you have some ideas for the career you want to follow, but you have not defined it enough in order to take appropriate action.

The desired direction can mean a complete career change, a major upgrade in your career or even the decision to start your own business. These are all relatively large steps that you must consider and determine with yourself. To do this step successfully you need to develop strategies and a comprehensive action plan. Then you will know what to target and easily determine the next steps to take.

The right strategies will give you permanent results and the changes you want. You do not want to discover in a few months or years that you are still in the same place you are now. The strategies will guide your actions and help you clarify your priorities, rather than scattered acts and loose your valuable time, causing confusion and irritation.

To develop an action plan and define the new direction you need to think and refine the following areas. The goal is to find the perfect job that suits you because you are a unique person.

The vision, your mission, and your purpose: How do you imagine your life, yourself, your job, and your relationships in 5 years from now?

Your personal values: What gives you motivation and what is most important to you? E.g. want to help society and others? Want power? Want creativity, diversity, independence, recognition, good pay, and security?

Your strong points, your talents and your skills: What personality you have, e.g. you are honest and enthusiastic and what skills you have that is useful in many areas of work.

What opportunities and sources or resources you have and what do you need? What should you do to get what you are missing? For example get more education, do a market research, network with the appropriate people.

The ideal life, career or business: What level of responsibility you want to take? You Want to Lead? Want to get this job full time or part-time? Do you want to be close to your home or in public transport? Do you want to live in the mountains? Do you prefer large organizations or small businesses?

What do you like and what you are doing well? Passions, interests, what inspires you, what you like and what not. E.g. are you good with computers? You like to repair machinery or furniture? You like taking photos? Are you good at math? Do you like helping others to solve their problems? Do you cook well?

Do you like to make co-operation with people in your work? Do you prefer the creative people? Do you prefer friendly people, or people that keep the relationship professional standard? Want a boss who communicates with you regularly or someone who gives you independence?

Look first what your really want, if it is very likely that you should settle to some extent, to get as close as possible to what career you choose will give you satisfaction and success in the coming years.

20 steps for a successful career change

1. Start with a “career check up”! What have you accomplished so far? What motivates you and makes you passionate in your work? What are the aims and ambitions for your future? Do you use your skills and your talents to the fullest extent? Do you feel satisfaction and commitment? What is important to you? What are your values?

2. Make a «market research» for a new career. From the moment you discover what is your dream job, explore possible job openings. Speak to a career specialist (career consultant, executive coach or head hunter). Send your resume to companies that interest you. Even if there are no vacancies at the time, your resume will be entered into the database and the company is likely to invite you in the future, when there is an available position.

3. Do analysis of your skills and talents. What are your strong points and what areas you need to improve? Which of these abilities and work skills ensure that you have competitive advantage in the labour market? What skills you can easily use at another position, if for example, you are good in communication and interpersonal relationship management, you can effectively use these skills in all positions that require contact with customers.

4. Find a mentor. Surveys show that internationally there is a significant correlation between mentoring practices in the workplace and career development, especially for women.

5. Estimate how much satisfaction you get from your current job. Keep a diary of your daily reactions to the issues arising in your job and search for repetitive items. What aspects of your current job you like and what you cannot stand? Your negative feelings are associated with the content of your work, the culture in your company or the people with whom you work together?

6. Assess your interests, values and skills through various sources of self-esteem, like the exercises in “What Color Is Your Parachute?” by Richard N Bolles, a book for those who want to change careers. Remember the successes you had in your work, what projects have you completed more easily and what business activities you prefer. Your goal is to identify in what you are really interested and what are your most valuable skills.

7. Exchange ideas for alternative careers discussing your core values and skills with your friends, family and colleagues you trust, and create a network that will advise and help you to easily find new jobs that suit your needs.

8. Do research and comparative assessment of the various areas of interest in order to identify targets that would require deeper investigation. Your goal is to find out what areas, which companies and which persons you should go after.

9. Read more about what you are interested in, find research and statistics and make as many personal contacts you can.

10. Be the shadow of one or two people working in the field that you are interested. Spent hours or days to see how they work and learn (7 ways you can learn from other people and change your career and life), so you will not be like fish on land in case you change career and profession.

11. Try to work as a volunteer or as a freelancer at the beginning. So you will see how good you will do and learn the job without substantial and psychological costs.

12. Search for learning opportunities, which would link your past with your new professional area. Many private schools and colleges offer courses for professionals.

13. Search for ways to develop new skills in your current job, which you could open the way for a change. If your company can provide training in some new technology or expertise, express your interest.

14. Think about alternative roles in your current job, which could take advantage of your knowledge. For example, if you are a store manager in a large retail company and tired from the long hours and weekends that you have to work, think of the transcription in a company as a wholesale representative in retail.

15. Get in touch with people who can help you change your career. An important step to change career has to do with finding people who can help you get the job you want. If you think about it then you would certainly find out that there is someone you know, an old friend or associate who has a relationship with your dream job.

16. Get in touch with this person and ask a recommendation letter that will confirm that you are fit for this position. Even better, ask the person to talk about you to the employer and support you in your job application. But beware; this should not reach the limits of exaggeration. This is not about a favour, but for a good-honest-talk about your character and your skills.

17. Get a little background / work experience. Even if you do not have any experience in the job you are searching, it is never too late. You can get some work experience by just finding a relevant job (even unpaid). You can take part in a large project that requires external partners or participate in a government project or volunteer programs for young people. You can find jobs for such programs through dedicated search engines available on the web (depending on the country and region you live).

In any case you need to find a job that will allow you to gain some knowledge, and experience you can talk about in an interview with your prospective employer.

18. Adjust your expectations. The most disappointing when someone is looking for a new job is that you have to adjust your aspirations for success. Even for Michael Jordan, one of the greatest athletes in the world, he had to come to terms with the fact that he was not the «Air Jordan» when he went to play baseball with the White Sox.

It is almost certain that you will move up the scale faster than in your previous work, but not without cost. You must prove that you deserve it to the clients, colleagues and your bosses. A great past does not guarantee a greater future.

19. Utilize your skills and experiences. Although you may switch to an entirely new career, the fact that many jobs require the same skills remains. We do not live in the past where someone could not become a farmer a blacksmith and then a sailor.

Most jobs, regardless of the company, they require some basic skills such as sales, communication and proper time management. If you succeed in these areas then it is almost certain that you can succeed in almost all types of work. And you must constantly prove that you can manage it, utilizing the experience gained in your previous work.

20. Believe in yourself. Put on your best smile, boost your confidence and go after your dream! If you do not do it, nobody is going to do it for you.

In conclusion, it is three steps you must follow for a successful career change. The first is to acquire good recommendations that will open the door. The second is the enhancement of skills and experience from your previous work in your new. And the third is just beyond you. To grab the opportunities that will appear in front of you and give your best self. Do not hesitate. You can really do it.

image source: mikecolvin82

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