Life & Work Skills

When it comes to maximizing our productivity, showing up as our best selves, and crushing our career goals, we’re willing to do just about anything. But what happens when exactly what we need to do isn’t necessarily more but, instead, less? It might seem counterproductive to spend less time at work, ditch perfectionist tendencies, take on fewer projects, or even give yourself space from the grind. But when it comes to achieving a healthy work-life balance and being your best self so that you can perform at your highest capacity, setting boundaries and reevaluating your workload to help you manage your time both at and away from work is absolutely essential.
While work-life balance may look a little bit different for everyone, finding a healthy separation between work and life is key to feeling rejuvenated, fresh, productive, and ready to solve complex problems. We’ve partnered with La Marca Prosecco, our bubbly of choice and a brand that stands to empower women to make every day sparkle and overcome the challenges that come with work and life. Together, we’ve made it our mission to help you find success in the workplace and in your life. If you’re looking to finally find it or you want to rediscover it, look no further—these 10 tips will help you reinvigorate your work-life balance.

1. (Actually) take your PTO
Whether it be workplace culture or your own perspective toward work, it can be common to feel guilty when actually taking your paid time off. Switching out of this mindset is key to invigorating your work-life balance. PTO is part of your paycheck, and if you don’t use it, you’re essentially overworking for free. Time off is crucial to rest, recharge, connect with friends and family, and invest in hobbies that bring you joy. Working more hours than you should doesn’t always equate to higher productivity or being better at your job. In fact, taking time away from work can give you the space to return with better energy, mood, and focus.

2. Learn to strategically and respectfully say “no”
We’ve all been there: In an effort to do it all, be a team player, or avoid being perceived as “lazy,” we’ve said “yes,” and we’ve paid the price. In this case, that price is less time spent on other, higher-priority tasks, not being able to complete the task well, staying late at work, working when you’re not being compensated to work—the list goes on. Having healthy boundaries at work and declining tasks that would make any attainable workload unmanageable is not only acceptable, but it’s also crucial to your output and your mental health. If you don’t have the capacity to make an ask happen, say so.

3. Respect your coworkers’ work boundaries
If you want others to respect your work boundaries, start at home and give your coworkers the same courtesy. Not everyone works in the same capacity, and learning how your coworkers best work can help turn (or reinvent) the wheel and have a positive effect on your workplace culture. If your coworker doesn’t text you after hours, don’t text them. If they prefer not to be met with spontaneous, no-context meetings, be mindful and offer them other methods of connecting when priority communication needs to happen. If you’re on a friend level with your coworker (shoutout to all of the work wives out there!), practice professionalism and keep “work first and friendship afterward” in mind.

4. Schedule in self-care and personal time as you would a meeting
We wouldn’t skip a meeting if a coworker or your boss scheduled one with us ahead of time, so why is it so easy for us to cancel “meetings” with ourselves? When we’re busy, it can be commonplace that seemingly non-urgent, non-work blocks of time are the first to take a backseat in an effort to maximize our time, which is a quick path to burnout. Commit to yourself by carving out time for yourself to journal, meditate, exercise, connect with a friend, or pour a glass of La Marca to celebrate a work win.
In the short term, nixing your “me” time can seem like a quick solution to a busy day. But in the long term, neglecting personal care can be a one-way ticket to anxiety, distractibility, and fatigue. When you invest time into yourself or into hobbies that ignite your passions away from work, you’re investing time into being your best self so that you can show up refreshed and ready to better take on whatever challenges come your way.

5. Take care of your health
Don’t let an overpacked schedule or stress stand in the way of your health or happiness. Skipping a doctor’s appointment, opting for non-nutrient dense meals out of convenience, foregoing physical activity, or staying up past your bedtime in the effort to do it all at work can be detrimental to your well-being and can lead to decreased productivity, poor emotional health, and even physical illness in both the short term and the long term. Inversely, investing time in your mental and physical health by living a healthy lifestyle is crucial to maintaining stress, preventing burnout, and gaining and maintaining a work-life balance.

6. Batch tasks to increase productivity
Begin to tackle a task, get a notification for another task, start the new task, return to the first task, jump to a second task, repeat. If this endless distractibility cycle sounds familiar, you’re not alone. In a world of constant communication in the form of emails, Slack messages, texts, and phone calls, taking on a project without getting diverted to another can seem like an impossible feat that ends up draining our time and energy in the long run.
For focusing and making our work time as efficient as possible, we turn to task batching: breaking projects into certain steps and sorting them by similarity. By focusing on similar tasks and creating blocks of time to do them, you’ll waste less time switching gears, which will help improve your concentration and attention to detail. Some examples include batch responding to emails, attending or leading meetings, brainstorming, or more mindless tasks. Then, schedule them based on times that you find yourself more or less productive.

7. Let go of a perfectionist mindset
As much as we’d love to produce perfect outcomes all of the time, the reality is that we’re human. Performing perfectly and at the highest level at all times isn’t only unrealistic—it can bog you down and be a deterrent in your workday that can make moving on from tasks and letting go of work after hours difficult. Quiet your inner perfectionist, shift your mindset to the bigger picture, reevaluate if spending more time on certain tasks will actually create a better product, readjust your standards, and remember that you can be a high achiever without performing flawlessly at all times.

8. Reinforce the end of your workday and set expectations for other team members
In a world of remote work, the line between work life and home life may be more blurred than ever. If you’re still working from home (which undoubtedly can feel like “living at work” at times), it can be difficult to disconnect at the end of your workday. Having a set, after-work routine and establishing healthy boundaries is key to making a distinction between work and non-work and achieving the work-life balance that you deserve.
As you near the end of your workday, be realistic about what you’ll be able to accomplish before you sign off. Communicate this to the appropriate parties and pick up where you left off tomorrow. Set expectations with your bosses and coworkers ahead of time to protect your after-work time. One example includes saying something along the lines of, “feel free to leave me a message while I’m away, but please note that I will respond when I return to work tomorrow.” Just because we live in a world where we can be accessed at all times doesn’t mean that we should be. And if you find yourself having difficulty peeling yourself away from work tasks, it might be helpful to schedule after-work plans or activities to help you physically sign off from your day.

9. Communicate workload issues with your manager
If, time and time again, you find your workload spilling into your after-work hours or are having difficulty meeting certain deadlines, consider setting up a meeting with your manager to discuss workload so that you can spend your evenings, early mornings, and weekends resting, recharging, and refueling. Give your manager an overview of what your workload looks like at the moment, insight on how long certain tasks take, and solutions such as delegating tasks to other employees, rescheduling lower priority tasks, or changing a particular process (such as turning a solo project into a group effort). Speaking up when you’re feeling overwhelmed gives your manager the opportunity to support you so that you can be your best self.

10. Take breaks to leave your work area for small periods of time throughout the day
When you’re working on a complex issue or find yourself with a full plate of work, it can be easy to convince yourself that you don’t have time for a break. In reality, research shows that taking a break (even a small one), can restore motivation, increase creativity, boost productivity, and have a positive effect on your well-being. Taking a quick break or your full lunch break is a very necessary way to help loosen the grip of work stress and gain balance in your life.

La Marca Prosecco is an elegant sparkling wine grown in the heart of Italy’s Prosecco region. La Marca Prosecco believes in celebrating the joy in everyday moments, including the tireless work that so many women go through to make their dreams come true. A focus on career empowerment has always been part of The Everygirl’s mission, and our partnership with La Marca Prosecco has helped us take that mission into the real world with live and virtual events, small business grants, and more. Let’s raise a glass to that!

This post is sponsored by La Marca Prosecco, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl Media Group editorial board. More

You’ve probably already set your fitness goals and made plans to eat healthier. Maybe you’ve even set an intention for the new year and decided how you want to improve your love life. But what about your career? Feeling in control of your work life and finances is self-care too, and we can (and should) always be improving our professions for a more fulfilling life. If you need some inspo for your 2022 career goals, here are 10 career commitments I’m making to myself that I intend to tackle before 2023.

1. I will acquire a skill outside of my comfort zone
We often gravitate toward things we’re good at. Year after year, we can rack up learning experiences in skills we actually love, leaving the trickier stuff for another day. But this year, let’s commit to start learning and building skills around the things a little outside of our comfort zone. I’ll be scanning Edx, Udemy, and Skillshare for free and low-cost classes on data science, design, programming, or any topic that feels more difficult to me (Pssst. We’ve got some pretty fun learning ideas here too).

2. I will join an office networking program
It’s time to expand the circle: Finding a mentor, like-minded people on your level, or even inspiring employees at different stages can help you move through your career more efficiently, working as a sounding board or source of support and inspiration. Many offices have some sort of affinity group or networking organization that can expand your connections at the office and hook you up with some new 9-5 friends. Remote employee? This is even more important, and making connections with others at your place of employment doesn’t have to rely on in-person coffee meetings. Nothing like this available to you? Start the next generation leadership networking forum or simply connect with a group of like-minded people in your industry to build a networking group. 

3. I will ask for that raise
Some time in the next 12 months, we’re all likely to be in the mix for a performance review of some sort. Polish off that brag sheet that itemizes all the impact you’ve created in your role this year (or start keeping those notes now!). Asking for the raise is about documenting your success and regularly communicating your value to management. Make sure to get specific about what you want, and ask for a raise based on numbers, not just because a higher number sounds better (i.e. Are you doing more responsibilities than your last pay increase? Are you bringing in more revenue to the company recently?). Yes, you can do it. And if a pay raise isn’t possible (because your request likely won’t be accepted every time), there are other things to negotiate as well. 

4. I will plot out my next career chapter
12 months out is the perfect amount of time to start charting some actual action items for a new role you’d like to explore. If you’re ready to move on to a new company, start scoping LinkedIn and networking with recruiters or HR representatives in your field. Ready for the next step inside your company? Meet with your manager about action steps, see if you can meet up with a new department on a joint project, or set up informational interviews with employees whose positions you’re interested in. A new role doesn’t have to be immediately on the horizon to make these moves. In fact, the small steps over time are the very things that position you for all kinds of unexpected opportunities.

5. I will learn to have hard conversations with coworkers
We all have that one coworker we avoid or hate working with. Maybe they’re not pulling their weight on a team project or perhaps they’re just generally difficult to deal with. Over the next year, try to use more of your emotional intelligence toolkit at work and pick up some skills for how to have hard conversations. Overall, strive to feel more comfortable providing feedback (including to managers or employees on your level), and always come from a place of how to better workflow, productivity, or the goal of the company (rather than offering critiques without solutions). 

6. I will understand my personal brand
Whether we think we’re creating one or not, we’re all actively developing a personal brand, even at the office. So why not lean in and foster what you want your personal brand to be? First, think about your foundational skills, which are qualities that help get the job done. Where does your boss see you excelling? Do you need to work on your technical know-how or presentation skills over the next year? Second, be sure your network is growing with the right kind of people and that you are actively connecting and returning the favors of people who have helped you. Lastly, make sure your brand materials (like LinkedIn and resume) are up to date.

7. I will find low-stakes and high-stakes audiences to practice tough stuff
I’ll be honest: I really need to improve my presentation skills. But it’s hard to practice presenting in company-wide meetings or in front of my boss. Instead, I need lower-stakes places to practice public speaking where I’m feeling less stressed about the material and where I know that I’ll have a friendly audience (like organizing a game for my friend group, speaking up during book club, etc.). Experiences like these help boost your confidence for the tough stuff when you do have a huge presentation in front of the board or really need to nail the meeting with your boss. Finding other forums that are “high stakes” or have harder material to convey helps build those skills for the next stage of our work journey.

8. I will max out my work benefits based on my lifestyle
The start of a new year is a great time to review the benefits you have and make sure you’re taking advantage of all the things that your company offers. Start looking at how you might be able to increase your retirement savings through employer contributions and make sure you’re taking full advantage of PTO, flexible office hours, or sick days. Alternatively, hunt down those lesser-known perks like gym discounts or commuter benefits that you might be leaving on the table.

9. I will give back to someone earlier in their career journey
It can be easy for us to feel pretty internally focused when we think about our career journey, but nothing is more fulfilling than sharing what you have learned along the way with someone who is a little earlier along. Being a mentor can happen in small moments, so don’t get hung up on feeling like you need to take a junior employee under your wing for the rest of the year. A few well-timed, encouraging words before a client meeting or a coffee pregame before a big project can go a long way. Plus, you’ll have a fresh perspective for your own career trajectory and what you want to accomplish.

10. I will fit my career into my life, not the other way around
And last but arguably most importantly, let’s promise not to make our work world our whole world. While our jobs should be exciting enough to get us out of bed every day, our lives are made of so much more. In 2022, I’m recommitting to the mindset that my job is just one of the many pieces of my life that add up to who I am and prioritizing a healthy work-life balance, which means cutting off work at closing time (no exceptions!) and actively pursuing a healthy life outside of work.

Want To Reinvent Your Career?
2022 is the year to do it. Here’s how More

That fresh New Year’s energy is right upon us. And it’s usually the time we start getting curious about our own next chapters or what we could be doing differently to be sure we’re living our best lives. Even a small change on the job front can have huge payoffs when you’re resetting and rebalancing your self-care, family, and career.
We’ve partnered with La Marca Prosecco to bring you a self-check on what change you might be ready to make to switch up your career trajectory so that you can step into the new year as your most empowered self. La Marca believes that we should celebrate those tiny, everyday moments—because they add up to elevating our whole life. Even if we’re not explicitly on the hunt for a new job opportunity, there are a number of ways we can level up our work experiences in 2022. So grab a coupe of bubbles and find out what action you should take at your job this year! 

.wq-quiz-279032 {
–wq-question-width: 100%;
–wq-question-color: #009cff;
–wq-question-height: auto;
–wq-bar-color: #00c479;
–wq-font-color: #444;
–wq-background-color: #f2f2f2;
}

How long have you been in your current role?

A few years. I am a core part of the team!

I came in on the ground floor; some people call me a lifer.

New arrival! I’m just hitting my stride.

When was the last time you asked for a raise?

Never. I’ve always had someone look out for me.

It’s been a while, but now I’m at the top of the range for this role.

I negotiated like a boss just recently when I was hired.

How excited are you about your current day-to-day?

I really like my work. It’s meaningful, and I am moving the needle daily!

I’m more settled than excited. I know what’s expected and I can regularly deliver.

Butterflies on the reg. I’m tackling new challenges, and it’s really stimulating my creativity.

What is your relationship like with your leadership?

Solid. I’ve demonstrated my value over time, and they value me too.

Plateaued. I’m not as challenged as I once was, but we’ve built a good relationship.

Growing. I’m learning my boss’s unique habits and their goals for our business.

Do your team values align with your own?

Yes. It’s one of the characteristics of this job that has kept me here for so long!

They definitely used to, but we’ve had some management changes that have shifted the culture.

This team’s beliefs and way of business are known to attract top talent, and that brought me here.

When was the last time you felt challenged on the job?

I’m in the zone. Challenges are rewarding, but I also have routine work that is grounding and effortless.

Does finding a new lunch spot count? That’s challenging!

Daily! I’m building new relationships, learning new skills, and gaining exposure to great leadership styles.

How many of your coworkers would you consider to be friends?

We’re a tight-knit bunch! Nearly all of them.

I’ve made a few close connections, who I know will be long-term friends.

I hit it off with one woman right off the bat—we’re having regular coffee dates!

What would be the next step on your current career ladder?

I can see many rungs ahead—my boss’s boss has a very valued and cool role at the company.

I would need some new skills to think about taking the next step. It’s a bit of a leap!

I could see this role giving me a lot of different paths. It’s a pretty matrixed and varied opportunity set.

The #1 Change You Should Make At Your Job This Year

Time to ask for a raise or promotion.

You have built an incredible reputation, strong book of work, and are probably part of the glue that keeps your team running in top condition! You may have found yourself taking on extra work this year or supporting teammates through challenging life and professional transitions. Or you may have used some pandemic down time to skill up on a new area that supports your professional development, such as getting a certification or extending your education.
It sounds like you are ready to be better rewarded for your contributions through asking for that raise, additional benefits that are meaningful to you like a more flexible schedule, or family accommodations—or you can really spread your wings and ask for a more expanded set of responsibilities. Get that promotion! And after you do, toast to your business savviness with a glass of La Marca Prosecco!

Time for a new opportunity at your company.

We’ve all been there. You’re comfortable and you’re pretty well settled in your groove. That can be a great thing! But if you’re feeling a little too comfortable, not challenged, or like you’ve just hit autopilot, you deserve a new chapter. Looking for a new opportunity at your same company can be a great way to leverage all the great social capital you’ve built over the years and your awesome network of useful internal relationships. Challenge yourself to start the year with a meeting with your current manager to ask about what a new role could look like, either expanded from your current team or an entirely different area of the business! Pour yourself some La Marca Prosecco and start making a vision board of what your next dream job looks like.

You’re crushing it. Deepen your expertise!

You may have taken the past 18 months to really hit reset and either change your role or arrive at a new job and company entirely. Congratulations! Toast to this moment with some La Marca Prosecco. This is a really exciting part of your professional cycle, where things feel new, challenging, and you start to get those great routines and rituals that enhance belonging at a firm. Once you’ve made it past that first stretch of newness, it’s time to start deepening your expertise. Stretch yourself to meet people outside of your immediate work circle and start raising your hand more often for stretch projects that give you a chance to try out different parts of your business.

La Marca Prosecco is an elegant sparkling wine grown in the heart of Italy’s Prosecco region. La Marca Prosecco believes in celebrating the joy in everyday moments, including the tireless work that so many women go through to make their dreams come true. A focus on career empowerment has always been part of The Everygirl’s mission, and our partnership with La Marca Prosecco has helped us take that mission into the real world with live and virtual events, small business grants, and more. Let’s raise a glass to that!

This post was sponsored by La Marca Prosecco but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl Media Group editorial board. More

Whether we’re just starting out in our careers or self-checking mid-stream, finding that intersection of what we love and what we’re good at is an art and a science! Even when we have a variety of jobs, some themes in our passions and capabilities constantly repeat themselves. You could think of this as building your own personal “career archetype” over time based on the type of work you’re routinely drawn to. Going back to this “north star” of your true self can be an awesome way to shape your career even through a wide variety of jobs and hone in on your differentiated expertise!
We’ve partnered with La Marca Prosecco, our drink of choice and a brand that believes in making the everyday moments matter. We are excited to share a new way for you to think about how you might frame your talents, skills, and passions. Because when you know yourself and exactly how to deliver that to the world, our day-to-day lives have a little more sparkle and celebration. And couldn’t we all use more of that? Grab a La Marca mini and spend some time in self-discovery!
.wq-quiz-279749 {
–wq-question-width: 100%;
–wq-question-color: #009cff;
–wq-question-height: auto;
–wq-bar-color: #00c479;
–wq-font-color: #444;
–wq-background-color: #f2f2f2;
}

In your dream job, how often would you meet new people?

Periodically. I like to connect with people who share my niche interests.

All day! The best part of my role is connecting with new people inside and outside my business.

Sometimes. I like developing new relationships, especially when I know I can be of help to someone.

Rarely. I love focusing on tasks and working independently on projects.

Your boss comes to you and tells you they have a new project for you, but it will require getting really in the numbers. You are:

Jazzed. Technical details are my sweet spot!

Not thrilled. I’d rather come up with how we tell the story about the numbers.

It depends. If it’s in service of a larger project or outcome, I’m game.

Excited. Diving into a detailed, complex problem with a cup of coffee is my dream day.

When a problem comes along on my team, I can be counted on to:

Really analyze it. I plot out all the root causes and can come up with a few solution paths.

Understand everyone’s perspective. I’m good at seeing all sides of an issue.

Create a safe space to hash it out. I want to be sure all people feel heard.

Sketch out the actions we need to take to solve it and identify who is the best person on the team to do each.

Most people would describe my communication style as:

Direct. I know what I mean and try to deliver it precisely.

Engaging. I think a lot of people say they’re good communicators, but I really connect with others.

Nurturing. I’m good at pulling out others’ own ideas or illustrating new concepts.

Structured. I am great at being able to lay out a sequence so people can really focus on what’s urgent.

If my company said I could never work from home again, I would:

Be ambivalent. Some parts of my job need collaboration with others, but some do require a lot of focus.

Be just fine! The vibe of the office and being with my colleagues for coffee breaks are really energizing.

Be relieved. Most of my best work happens when I’m partnering with people live and in person.

Start the job hunt! I have thrived being able to work at my own pace and in my own space.

People always come to me for advice on:

Thinking through complex issues. If it has a lot of moving pieces, I can draw you a map to solve it!

Fixing relationships. Work, personal—I’ve heard them all!

The best way to communicate something. I make hard concepts easier to understand.

Building new processes. I love designing sleek, efficient systems of work.

The best part of my job is:

Solving problems. I like to find the pieces of a process or product that are broken and improve it.

Working with people. I think I would faint if I sat in front of a spreadsheet all day.

Taking care of others. I appreciate when I can make an impact and see my work matter.

Seeing the finished product. I love knowing that I’ve checked off every box on my to-do list!

The most motivating compliment I could get from my boss would be:

“That’s an incredibly innovative idea. We’ve never thought that way before!”

“We would have never won that business without you. You are the key to this client relationship.”

“You made such a difference to that person. Their life will be different because of what you did.”

“You thought of every detail. We saved so much time on this and got to the right outcome with your plan.”

How would you describe the ideal pace of your day?

Measured. I like to have a plan and some structure to what needs to get done.

Hustling. Small, quick interactions coupled with longer, meaningful engagements is a good balance for me.

Structured. I need to be able to really give my attention to whatever work or person I’m with at the time.

Fast and slow. I like to power through morning meetings when I’m fresh and take the afternoon to plan.

Which Career Archetype Are You?

You’re an Innovator

You love a new idea. Anything that taps your creative juices or puts you on a path to discovery is right up your alley! The fun part about this career archetype is that there are so many different types of work that suit you. Maybe you’re incredibly design focused, and pulling together a client’s home or new logo is exactly how you express your innovative tendencies. Or you could be breaking glass ceilings and making our world a better place through your scientific discoveries or technological prowess. Innovators tend to find it most satisfying to work on projects that are brand new or allow them to explore a number of different outcomes that engage a lot of people or ideas in the process. Grab a pen and a glass of La Marca Prosecco and start to dream up your next greatest discovery!

You’re a Connector

Connectors are key to making our world go round. You love to engage new people, tell stories, and be on the front lines of any organizations you work in. You are probably most happy when you’re in conversation with someone, discovering their needs or interests, and sharing your own. Connectors have that awesome ability to find a tiny detail about someone—“My neighbor once had a cat named bubbles too!—and turn that person into a lifelong part of their network. Capitalize on this awesome ability by seeking out jobs that get you out from behind a screen and in front of the customers or decision makers of a business. Sharpen those powers of persuasion, sales skills, and willingness to stretch your boundaries to see success follow you in just about any field. Now, raise a glass of La Marca Prosecco and toast to your incredible people skills!

You’re a Caregiver

As a caregiver, you have a supernatural ability to hone in on the needs of other people. This incredible talent can manifest itself in so many different ways! You might be drawn to the medical field, where you’re delivering people a service that can change their lives, or education, where you are truly setting the foundation for someone to recognize and develop their own skills. Caregivers can also end up as consultants or advisers because there is nothing you love more than hearing someone’s problem and helping them find a great solution. Caregivers of all types are at high risk of burnout, so always be sure that you are putting yourself first as you navigate your career across these roles. In fact, start now by pouring some bubbles and taking a break to reflect on a recent win with a glass of La Marca Prosecco!

You’re a Doer

Doers keep the trains moving! You can be counted on in any situation to drill down to the urgent and important. What do people need to do right now to get the job done? Who is the best person to do it? You have a great capacity for ensuring all the little details are in order and managed in the context of the big picture. Nothing drives you crazier than a process with unnecessary steps—you immediately begin dissecting how to make everything, from the grocery line to your everyday job, as efficient as possible! Doers often go on to become incredible COOs or cherished project managers. You are able to understand both the processes and the people, which means you can deftly combine both your technical and relationship skills to deliver on an objective. Almost every industry in the world needs people with just your talents—the world is your oyster. And you know what goes wonderfully with oysters? Bubbles! Pour yourself a glass of La Marca Prosecco and toast to your amazing ability to check off that to-do list!

La Marca Prosecco is an elegant sparkling wine grown in the heart of Italy’s Prosecco region. La Marca Prosecco believes in celebrating the joy in everyday moments, including the tireless work that so many women go through to make their dreams come true. A focus on career empowerment has always been part of The Everygirl’s mission, and our partnership with La Marca Prosecco has helped us take that mission into the real world with live and virtual events, small business grants, and more. Let’s raise a glass to that!

This post was sponsored by La Marca Prosecco but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl Media Group editorial board. More

The holidays are right around the corner. I know, we’re excited too! You’re probably counting down the days until your holiday break and can’t wait to enjoy festivities with your friends, quality time with your loved ones, rejuvenation for the new year—or a combination of the three.
It might be tempting to leave your to-do list unfinished and get out of the office or off your laptop as soon as possible. But there are a few easy things you can and should do to wrap up at work before the holidays. Your future self will thank you, and you’ll be able to enjoy your time off without worrying about what’s waiting for you when you return. These work tips will help set you up for a successful new year.

1. List Your Accomplishments (and Celebrate Them)
Maybe you have to complete an end-of-year performance review, but even if you don’t, you should think back and list all of your accomplishments for the year. When we’re in the grind, we may not always pause and celebrate our achievements as they happen. But here’s the thing: You deserve to be proud of your hard work, and having a list of your accomplishments can come in handy down the road.
Maybe next year, you’ll ask for a raise, switch jobs, or be up for promotion. Having a concrete list of completed achievements as evidence can help strengthen your argument or help prove that you’re the strongest candidate. And even if you don’t find yourself in one of these situations, there is absolutely no harm in celebrating yourself and your efforts.

Source: Color Joy Stock

2. Update Your Resume Even If You Aren’t Job Hunting
Are you one of those people who dreads updating your resume when you’re ready to look for a new job? I don’t blame you—I know the feeling. Part of the reason this task becomes so daunting is that many of us wait until we’ve been in a role for a while and then have to spend time reflecting on years worth of work.
Instead, while your current role and responsibilities are fresh in your mind, set aside some time to update your resume. Even if you don’t end up looking for a new job in the immediate future, you’ll save time down the road and won’t have to dread this task later.

3. Clean Out Your Inbox
There is nothing worse than leaving emails in your inbox to come back to after an extended holiday break. If you’re anything like me, you don’t want to waste more energy than you have to perusing through emails and organizing them accordingly.
Treat yourself to an early present and clean out your inbox before you shut things down for some time off. File away the emails you will need to respond to upon your return (and make sure you add them to your to-do list), get rid of junk, and unsubscribe from emails you no longer find valuable. If you haven’t done so already, consider creating a filing system in your mail app to hit the ground running and keep your inbox organized at the start of the new year.

4. Grow Your Network By A Few New Connections
We’ve all heard of the importance of finding and making connections, especially in the professional world. As someone who has landed multiple jobs through mutual connections, I can’t emphasize how crucial it is to grow your network.
I also know that making new connections in your sphere can be tricky, especially throughout the year when you’re drowning in responsibilities. Use the end of the year to identify two or three new connections within your extended network. Browse LinkedIn, Twitter, industry role models—you name it. Do a light introduction and let your newfound connection know you’d love to chat more or meet up for dinner after the new year.
Your circle can never be big enough when it comes to your network. You never know who might be able to help you land the role of your dreams or have a position for you when you least expect it.

Source: Color Joy Stock

5. Organize Your Desktop
Is your desktop a mess of files and folders right now? I don’t know about you, but I’m guilty of saving documents and images all over the place. When we’re rushing and trying to get things done, it’s easy to download what you need and forget about it.
Believe me, you’ll be thankful for the old you when you open your laptop in the new year and return to a fully organized and detoxed digital setup. Ditch the documents and images you don’t need and organize the rest so that you can quickly access them going forward. And don’t forget to empty your trash when you’re finished. Think of this as a virtual cleaning of your laptop.

6. Deep Clean Your Workspace
When was the last time you cleaned your desk or workspace? I’m talking about a deep clean, not just taking all of your used coffee mugs to the sink. If you can’t remember the last time you grabbed a duster or a rag to clean the surfaces and your equipment, you’re overdue for a good cleaning.
On your last workday for the year, grab your favorite cleaning supplies and spend a few minutes decluttering and wiping down your work area. The new year is the perfect time for a fresh start, and what better way to jump back into work than with a clean space and positive energy for the upcoming year ahead?
The holidays are an exciting time of year for many, and to be present during this time, you need to be able to disconnect from your work life fully. Don’t simply disconnect and leave messes to come back to. Try these tips to wrap up your year and start the next one on a good note. Do one (or even a few) of these things, and you’ll hit the ground running in your career early next year.

How to Prep for That Performance Review (And Land a Raise) More

One of the perks of not being in school anymore is that your days of receiving grades are long gone. At least, that’s what it seems like at first.
Every day you’re in the working world, you’re being graded by your superiors and colleagues. Unless you’re receiving consistent feedback from your manager, which is no guarantee, you may have no way to gauge your progress at work—until it’s time for your annual review.
But that end-of-the-year evaluation doesn’t need to be scary; an annual performance review is a chance for you to have an open, honest conversation with your boss about how they perceive your work performance—as well as what your opportunities for growth are. Make sure you’re going into yours as prepared as possible with these easy steps (that will also help you land that raise).

Do the math

Source: ColorJoy Stock
In an ideal world, your review will be a series of glowing compliments with an offer of a big, fat raise at the end. You’ve worked crazy hard for the past 12 months—the least you can get is a little acknowledgement, right? Wrong. Your boss may have generally positive feelings about your work, but chances are, they weren’t keeping as good of track of your progress as they should have.
Even if your review is going well, you owe it to yourself to come armed with stats about your career successes from the past year. Before your review, prep a few notes about your work successes. You may have to do some calculations to impress your supervisor. Did you grow your company’s Twitter followers by 25%? Write it down. If you found a new tool that increased your team’s productivity, estimate how much time and money you’ve saved.
Illustrating how you increased revenue or helped save the company money can be instrumental in receiving a raise. However you measure success in your job, come up with some cold, hard facts about why you’re killing it.

Tell the truth
In theory, an annual review is an appropriate time to raise any concerns you’re having. Your boss has an opportunity to critique your performance, so it’s only fair you can share any struggles you’re experiencing. But before you raise any complaints, evaluate how honest you can truly be. Does your boss take critical feedback well? Do they look at employees who air complaints as “difficult?” Even if your boss is receptive to feedback, tread lightly. You don’t want your boss to think you’re unhappy at work and that you want to leave, or they may not fully invest in your future at the company.
If a raise is your top priority, you may want to hold off on voicing any complaints unless absolutely necessary or if they help support your justification for a raise. For example, if you took over a colleague’s responsibilities when they left and your workload increased, that is a complaint that can help make your case. Too many complaints may distract from your goal.
If you do have complaints to make, pepper the conversation with compliments about your manager or some insight on why you love your job. A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, after all.

Know what you want
Now is not the time to waffle. When you go into your review, you should know exactly what you want. A raise, a promotion, or an office are the biggies—but those milestones aren’t going to happen every year.
If your job description has evolved over the past year, consider asking for a title change. Want to learn more about your industry? See if your manager will expense education resources or a trip to a conference for you. If you want to move desks because you don’t get along with one of your coworkers, now is the time to ask. Your boss is less likely to be taken aback by requests during your annual review. Take advantage of the opportunity.

Have a plan

Source: ColorJoy Stock
You won’t be able to solve all your work-related issues on your own, but coming to your manager with a list of complaints and no potential solutions could frustrate them. Make an effort to present possible solutions for any struggles you’re having at work. If you’re happy at work but still want to make changes, like taking on bigger projects, you’ll need to offer solutions. Before your review, ask yourself: If your manager is open to what you want, do you have a way to make it happen? Your boss will be much more receptive to change if they see a way to help right off the bat.

Practice makes perfect
You’ve done a lot of work to prep for this review. You’ve kept track of all the compliments you’ve received from clients, thought hard about what you want, and have considered areas you can improve on. That effort will pay off, especially if you practice. Your level of nerves will depend on how comfortable you are with your manager and how confident you are in your performance. Practicing any requests or complaints you have—I’ll take a raise, please!—will make the conversation go so much smoother.
Ask your best friend or a family member to practice the conversation with you. You’ll work out any kinks in the conversation and will be less likely to trip over your words when you’re nervous. Be prepared to receive and respond to constructive criticism as well. You should be aware of any areas you need to improve on. Also, remember not to get defensive. It’s better to prepare confident responses for how you can overcome any struggles.
If you’re asking for a raise, this is an especially important step. Use this time to practice a convincing ask. Outline why you think you deserve a raise (now is the time to use the evidence you collected) and how much of a raise you’d like (start high so your company can offer lower).

Relax, you got this
You know you’ve been killing it at work. Unless they are bad at their job, any critiques your manager has shouldn’t come out of the blue. Going into your annual review calm and composed will impress your manager even more. When your review is glowing (of course it will be!), make sure you celebrate after. You’ve earned it.

10 Career Habits to Master in Your 20s More

So you got the job. You’re excited about the opportunity but nervous because you’ve never worked exclusively remote before. Besides onboarding, you may be worried about career growth opportunities in your new remote setting. I know my fellow Achievers are already a few days in and asking, “How will I stand out in this new remote job?”
Well, we’ve got good news. There are plenty of opportunities to excel and stand out as a high performer in a remote or hybrid work setting. We’ve connected with career experts Madeline Mann, founder of Self Made Millennial, and Lisa Kohn of Chatsworth Consulting Group to help us navigate just how to do this.

Meet the expert
Madeline Mann

Having years of experience as a Human Resources leader, Madeline Mann works with job seekers to land career-defining roles in various industries. Her clients have accepted jobs at Google, Deloitte, Hilton, Goldman Sachs, Amazon, NBC Universal, Netflix, EY, and more.

Meet the expert

Leadership Consultant, Executive Coach, Author, and Keynote Speaker
Lisa Kohn has over 20 years of experience partnering with Fortune 500 clients in areas of leadership, communication styles, strategy, and more.

Keep Introducing Yourself
It’s a simple concept, but many of us avoid introductions and miss out on opportunities simply in fear of rejection. Introductions, however, are especially important in a remote setting, where it’s common to not have face-to-face contact and communicate solely through chat.
You will be cued to introduce yourself the first week, so take initiative and continue to introduce yourself. Whenever you are in a meeting with people you don’t know, take the floor for a moment. “Every interaction is building deeper relationships that will support you later on,” Mann said. Preparation makes introductions easier and go more smoothly if you’ve practiced your opening lines. Something like, “Hi I’m [Maggie], I am a Marketing Specialist and will be working for [Manager name]. I started last month, and I look forward to working with all of you!”

Initiate 1:1 Post-Meeting Connections
Set up informal meetings with your new colleagues. Although it may feel manufactured, this is the best way to mimic in-person interactions that will leave you feeling more knowledgeable and connected to your job. Mann suggested doing a “listening tour,” meaning you set up a time with colleagues to ask them about their job and the company. “Make it a long one,” Mann added. This is your free ticket to get on as many people’s calendars as possible. Plus, Mann said, “In the process, you’re learning what they’re working on so you can add value to them in the future.” It helps to request to put time on their calendar before scheduling. Keep the meeting invitation short and sweet, like 1:1 Connection – Jane and Sam, and schedule it for 15-20 minutes.

Source: Ivan Samkov | Pexels

Keep Your Camera On
If you can’t be in the same room, being on camera in meetings makes up for the lack of nonverbal cues and emotion. You don’t have to keep your camera on for every meeting, but for meetings where you’re speaking or are new to the group, being on camera is crucial. “Familiarity breeds fondness,” Mann said. “Being seen will only help you be top of mind when you’re vying for a project opportunity or promotion.” Just as importantly, being on camera will support you in connecting with colleagues on a more personal level. “We crave community and connection. The more you build community remotely, the more successful you’ll be,” Kohn stated. We know meeting fatigue in a virtual environment is real, so pacing yourself helps. If possible, take breaks after a meeting to stretch or walk. And just as importantly, keep your routine fresh. 

Provide Brief Updates to Your Manager
You want to be an A+ employee, right? At the end of each week, whether through chat or email, keep your manager up-to-date on what you’ve accomplished as well as any outstanding questions you have. The most important piece here is to do it before they ask. “It also helps to figure out how they like to communicate; that way, you avoid miscommunications early on,” Kohn said. You’re helping your manager stay on track with your onboarding, consequently supporting both of you. Don’t be afraid to ask questions like, “Why is this done this way?” A good manager is open to feedback and change, but they may be too busy to do it themselves. This is where you come in with a fresh perspective and good idea, therefore adding value to the team.

Source: Colorjoy Stock

Use Organizational Charts as a Tool
Visuals, visuals, visuals. See if you can get your hands on an organizational chart of your department and the company’s executive leadership team. This will show you the position hierarchy and help you make important connections faster. “Once you can see who is in your department, it makes it easier to schedule time with the right people,” Kohn said. Unlike an office environment, remote work doesn’t allow you to physically see departments, walk around office floors, or pass colleagues on a day-to-day basis. “A remote environment is difficult to navigate, so the more you can see and be seen is crucial for success,” Kohn agreed. If your company doesn’t have an organizational chart as a part of their People Management software, ask HR if they have a chart of your department.

Don’t Just Connect, Be Active on LinkedIn
Besides connecting with your new colleagues, being active on LinkedIn helps. Join groups and follow others in your industry to keep a pulse on current trends and practices. “This is a great way to have your name recognized in and outside of your company,” Kohn said. By doing this, you can share your industry knowledge in team meetings or during conversations with your manager. You’re demonstrating your strategic thinking skills outside of your job description. “Like grocery shopping, many of us utilize LinkedIn only when we’re ‘hungry.’ But if we were to use a “farming” approach, meaning we nurture connections on a regular basis, the results are better,” Mann said. This is a great way to show your value while continuing to network. The best part: You get to do it all without having to leave your home.

40 Amazon Finds That Will Elevate Your Work-From-Home Setup More