Tag Archives: goals

Poll Results: How Do You Track Your Goals?

ThinkstockPhotos-491925526Since many people make resolutions as the calendar turns to a new year, we asked our Movin’ On Up (MOU) readers at the end of January how they track their goals in order to celebrate milestones along the way.

Most of our readers said they track their goals manually on a piece of paper (52%) while 16% said they use a Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet. Another 16% of the MOU audience reported that they don’t track their goals.

Other results include:

  • Using a mobile app — 5%
  • Using a physical representation like marbles in a jar — 2%

In addition, 9% of readers selected the “other” option and provided the following responses:

  • White board
  • Microsoft Word and Excel documents
  • I remember them.

Top Tools for Goal Tracking

Whether you like to use the latest technology or prefer more traditional methods of tracking goals, it’s important to find what works for you. It’s easy to get distracted and fall out of the habit of doing activities that put you closer to completing your goal, so tracking your progress can help you overcome discouraging setbacks.

Here are our top app picks to get you started on the path to success:

What other ways do you track your goals? Let us know in the comments below!

Poll: How Do You Track Your Goals?

MOV_POLL-ICONAt the beginning of the new year, you may have made resolutions to improve your professional and personal life in 2017, and hopefully, you are well on your way to success! It’s important to mark milestones along the way and celebrate the little victories as motivation to reach the finish line. So we want to know how you track your goals. Share your thoughts by voting in our poll!

How To Use Your Influence to Achieve Success

ThinkstockPhotos-539453722As the new year begins, many people will reassess their goals for success. To do that, most will lean toward using their influence to achieve success and realize their dreams and goals.

One powerful way to build success in life, both professionally and personally, is through influence. Influence is power, and gaining more influence in the workplace is critical in moving your career forward.

But how can you achieve quantifiable influence? Several strategies can be used to harness this skill and use influence to create success.

Create Trust

Trust creates and carries influence, and gaining the trust of co-workers is one of the fastest ways to use that impact to help cultivate success. Regardless of your position in the company or the position of your co-workers, being open and honest, no matter what the situation, builds a sense of trust.

Leaders who share their concerns, don’t keep secrets, give credit where credit is due, and admit mistakes build influence by being regarded as trustworthy workers.

Learn to Be Assertive

Being assertive enough to speak up during meetings or sharing ideas is another way to build influence and achieve success. However, being assertive and being aggressive are two different things.

To be assertive, present your thoughts and ideas with conviction and confidence. When you go too far with confidence, however, it can be taken as arrogance. When speaking with an unfamiliar group or on areas outside your expertise, be careful to temper your assertiveness with some humility.

Don’t be afraid to apply assertiveness to all areas of life, not just work. As long as conviction and knowledge are present, being assertive can create a reputation of authority, which builds your influence with peers, employees, and customers.

Consistency is Key

Those with influence generally also have the reputation of being consistent as well. Consistency translates to being reliable, and inconsistency is a sure way to ruin a reputation. This means you are known for executing tasks effectively and on time, every day, developing a reputation of reliability.

Consistency is invaluable when it comes to building influence. People flock to those who are known for a good work ethic, while unpredictability can scare and worry those in decision-making positions.

Stay Flexible

Although being assertive is vital to using influence to achieve success, have an open mind to other people’s ideas and be willing to change your opinion when presented with new or different evidence.

Being too stringent or stubborn can create a reputation of being immovable or hard to work with. Others want their opinions and ideas heard as well, and those who are not flexible or open to others’ thoughts lose their overall influence and the respect of co-workers.

Show flexibility while still holding on to core beliefs through calm negotiation or compromise. Work with others to find a mutually acceptable solution. This increases influence because if others perceive someone as being open and flexible to new ideas, they, too, become more open and flexible.

Get a Little Personal

For those in a leadership role, being perceived as easy to get along with and personable goes a long way. Those who isolate themselves or who do not share personal ideas can be perceived as stand-offish or as unapproachable.

Influence, at its heart, is based on others’ reactions and opinions. Influence based on fear or loathing creates a toxic atmosphere, but influence based on likeability and trust is conducive to a successful and collaborative environment.

Personal exchanges with employees and coworkers will help them relate better and feel more comfortable when discussing a new idea. This does not mean building lifelong friendships or betraying secrets, but if other people see an influencer as an approachable person on the team with a real personality, they are likely to be more receptive to constructive criticism.

To be successful this year—whether it’s raising capital, convincing others to support a cause or having more responsibility—influence will be at the center to achieving success. Influence based on trust, consistency, assertiveness, flexibility, and personality will positively steer relationships, careers or resources in the right direction.

Gain influence, and people will follow.

17 Tips for an Outstanding New Year

ThinkstockPhotos-614739734The new year has officially begun, which means it’s time to make sure you’re focused on your goals for the year. Since this is the 17th year of this century, here are 17 tips to help you have an outstanding year:

  1. Don’t procrastinate. If you put off the things you need to accomplish, you may realize 2018 is right around the corner before you’ve even started.
  2. Invest in your wardrobe. Whether you’re looking for a job, or you’re already part of the workforce, owning a quality outfit can set you apart from the competition. Consider investing in a suit for interviews, or durable shoes for the workplace.
  3. Learn a new skill. It’s never too late to learn something new, and there are countless ways to add to your skillset. Think of the skills you’d like to learn, then take advantage of the Internet’s many educational resources.
  4. Clean up your social media profiles. When’s the last time you looked back at your Facebook or Twitter posts and photos from years ago? Chances are, there may be photos, statuses, or tags that don’t paint you in the best light. And since potential employers often look at your social media accounts when considering you for a job, be sure to represent yourself in the most professional way possible.
  5. Learn from your co-workers. There may be times when your company could benefit from allowing you to cross-train or shadow someone on the job. Consider asking your supervisor for the opportunity to learn from others.
  6. Take a class. Many communities offer courses in subjects like computer programs, marketing tips, and interview techniques. Check out opportunities available in your area, and sign up for a class today.
  7. Join a professional organization. Depending on your career path, there may be a professional organization you can join. These organizations are designed to help you network and further your skills, and they’re also a great addition to your resume.
  8. Create a LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, what are you waiting for? There are thousands of recruiters on LinkedIn right now, and they may be looking for candidates just like you!
  9. Gather your references. Maintaining an updated list of references is a good practice, even if you’re not actively job searching. Since you meet new people every day and relationships often change, ensure that your list is up-to-date before you need to use it.
  10. Send a thank-you note. If you are in the job search process, you know it’s important to send a thank-you note after an interview. But, what if you’re not currently looking? You can still send notes of appreciation to those who make a difference to you. Consider sending a thank-you note to your supervisor, an old friend, or a co-worker who helped you on a project. Everybody likes to feel appreciated.
  11. Make a plan for stress relief. Sometimes, stress is unavoidable. But, you can take steps to lessen the impact stress has on you. Think of ways that help you manage stress when it hits. Maybe it’s meditation, yoga, or exercise. Perhaps reading is relaxing for you. Find what helps you through tough times before they happen.
  12. Do something for yourself. Life moves quickly, and everyone has busy days. In all of that busyness, you may find that you haven’t taken any time for yourself. Stop for a moment and do something just for you. Go for a walk, buy yourself a coffee, read a book, or watch a movie.
  13. Get active. We all know how important exercise is to our overall health, but many of us can’t find the time to make it a priority. Even if you sit at a desk all day, there are still ways to be active. Try simple desk exercises, or go for a walk on your lunch break.
  14. Give back. Volunteering is great for so many reasons. First and foremost, it’s an excellent way to give back to your community and help those in need. It makes you feel good, helps you meet new people, and network. Often, you can learn a new skill, and of course, volunteering looks great on your resume. Find causes that matter to you and explore how to volunteer your time this year.
  15. Become a planner. Some people are planners, others are more spontaneous. Whether or not you like to structure your day beforehand, make it a habit to get your plans on paper. If you have goals you want to accomplish, write them in your calendar. Jot down important appointments, and keep track of your successful days so you can look back at them later.
  16. Start a budget. The term “budget” often comes with a negative association, but the truth is, being financially responsible is important to your success. Having funds available in an emergency is essential, and you can start on that path today. Review all of your debts and payments, calculate how much you need to save to reach financial goals or start an emergency fund, and begin the process of saving.
  17. Become (or find) a mentor. If you’re new to the workforce, you may feel overwhelmed. There’s certainly a lot to learn. Thankfully, there are millions of others who have gone before you, and it’s easy to find a mentor who can guide you on your career path. Likewise, if you’re experienced in a certain subject, you may seek out mentees to take under your wing.

These are just 17 of the many ways to help make your new year outstanding. Get started today and good luck in 2017!

What additional tips do you have for starting the year off right? Share with us in the comments section below!

Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.

 

Poll – What Are Your Career Goals for 2017?

MOV_POLL-ICONThe new year is just two days away! As you prepare for 2017, have you thought about your goals or made a list of what you’d like to accomplish? So that we can better help you reach those goals, we want to know what you’re setting your career sights on in 2017. Share your thoughts by voting in our poll!

Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.

Celebrate Your Career Wins This Year

power_team_references_webCelebration can be a valuable communication and motivational tool in your career, so don’t hesitate to celebrate your career wins this year.

Commemorating those victories is about sharing milestones, setting sales records, acquiring new skills and achieving goals. Celebrating your career wins this year not only creates feelings of well-being and self-respect, but also encourages your company to continue to give you opportunities to succeed.

At the end of 2016, it’s time to look back on your achievements and take pride. Try these five tips to rejoice in your career wins:

1. Celebrate the Small Wins
Management and career experts agree that breaking down major goals into smaller, achievable milestones not only reduces fear, but increases the chances of successful outcomes. Small wins provide a boost in happiness in employees. A University of Warwick study confirms that happy people are roughly 12% more productive, while another study shows that employees are more creative when they are happy. So go ahead and celebrate even the smallest victory.

2. Share Your Plans and Milestones
Let your co-workers and supervisors know about the wins you had this year and thank those who played a part in achieving those milestones. It’s also a good time to reveal your plans, letting everyone know what you are working toward in the upcoming year. As an added bonus, this will let everyone celebrate milestones along the way.

3. Creates Bonds With Co-Workers
You don’t have to throw a party for each victory you’ve achieved this year, but having a get together of some sort has the added benefit of strengthening your business network and boosting relationships. As your accomplishments are listed, allow others to take part in the event by sharing their milestones as well. If you worked with a team, an end-of-the-year roundup of achievements leaves everyone with a renewed sense of accomplishment and motivation to create more successes in 2017.

4. Keep a Notebook of Career Wins
Success breeds success, so celebrating allows you to build on your momentum. In addition, publicly recognizing your wins creates the perception that you are a high-value employee who creates results for the company. Celebrations not only reinforce the positive opinion others have of you, but also create the impression that you are a desirable employee to know and trust. 

5. Allow Yourself to Be Proud
Do not be embarrassed to be proud of yourself. Even if you only celebrate your wins this year by yourself, just knowing what you have accomplished and being proud of your achievements increases self-esteem and motivation. You’ve worked hard this year. You overcame challenges. Go ahead and pat yourself on the back. You deserve it!

Celebrating the good work you’ve done is psychologically important to your career health. You can take a moment, a day, or even a week to feel good about what you’ve done and reflect on how you can do an even better job next year.

How will you celebrate your wins this year? What were your biggest victories? We’d love for you to share your stories with us in the comments section below!

Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.

Celebrate Grandparents Day With Lessons From the Wise

grandparents_day_webIn the United States, National Grandparents Day is Sunday, Sept. 11. It’s a day designated to honor grandparents for their love and sacrifice. Grandparents are often associated with wisdom due to their years of experience and adventure. There have been countless wise leaders in the history of the world, and we want to share lessons from some of the most famous as we celebrate the wisdom of our elders.

Wisdom About Teamwork
Mother Teresa was a nun and missionary who founded the Missionaries of Charity, a worldwide religious congregation that runs hospices and homes for those in need. In 1979, she won a Nobel Peace Prize for her work. Mother Teresa lived to be 87 years old, and was admired by many for her charitable works. She once said:

“I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot, together we can do great things.”

Mother Teresa’s wise words are a reminder of the value of teamwork. While being your personal best is important, so is working well with those on your team. Most likely, there’s someone in your workplace who has a skill you don’t have. Likewise, you may know how to do something your co-workers do not. By working together and helping each other use your talents, you can create something you wouldn’t have been able to otherwise. Take the time to get to know your co-workers and find out what skills and talents they have so you can be better prepared to take on team projects.

Wisdom About Pride
Known for his spiritual wisdom and teachings, Mahatma Gandhi was the leader of the Indian independence movement in British-ruled India. Gandhi became famous for his non-violent movements and lived to be 78 years old. Gandhi once said:

“Nobody can hurt me without my permission.”

There is a great lesson to be taken from Gandhi’s words of wisdom. You have power over your emotions, and only you can decide how you let yourself feel. If a supervisor, customer, or co-worker says something that is hurtful, you can control how you let it affect you. While it’s true that some criticism can be constructive, not all of it is meant to help you grow. Decide for yourself what you will listen to, and remember that you are in control of your reactions.

Wisdom About Goals
Writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe is often referred to as the most intelligent man in history. According to Business Insider, Albert Einstein himself is said to have called Goethe “the last man in the world to know everything.” When it comes to wisdom, there’s no doubt Goethe had it. He founded the science of human chemistry and developed one of the earliest known theories of evolution. His estimated IQ score ranged from 210 to 225, on a scale where genius intelligence is measured at 145. Goethe once said:

“Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.”

Those wise words serve as a reminder that you can’t accomplish your goals if you don’t try first. Whatever your goal is—whether it’s to land your dream job, get an interview, or receive a promotion—it’s time to start on your path. There’s no better day than today to dust off your resume, submit an application for the job you want, or take on a new project. If you don’t start, you can’t reach the finish line.

What wise words do you live by? Share yours in the comments section below!

Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.