“After the New Year”
I’m guilty of saying this too. Earlier this month, I said them. I couldn’t believe it. I cringed. And then I vowed to not say them again. Sure, we’ve all said this before and I’m not the only one who’s giddy at the thought of saying “Bye Felicia” to 2020 and ringing in a new year of hope and promise.
In years past, “after the first of the year” was a pass. A socially acceptable way to kick an idea or action plan down the road a bit. Acceptable procrastination. But as we all know, 2020 has not been like previous years and in fact the stakes have never been higher. So, don’t do it. Particularly if you are seeking employment, looking to change careers or trying to take your business to the next level. “After the first of the year” is the most dangerous and self-sabotaging approach you can take right now, and here’s why.
- January 1 is the most common and arbitrary deadline known to man. January 1 = lights on! The mad rush begins as most people set this deadline every year. From the January sales to “new year new you” discounts, everyone waits for January. If you’re thinking about a new job, looking for a new career or getting ready to launch a new venture– why would it possibly make any sense for you to WAIT? The early bird gets the job.
- 2. January 1 is by far the busiest time in business planning and the absolute worst time to try to get in front of executives or decision makers. Fiscal year end is happening, new goals are being implemented, and the giant industry clock is being reset meaning the pressure is on. Executives will have less time and zero interest in chatting. If you’re actively networking or getting ready to, you will have significantly better success getting through to people when they’re in the “holiday spirit”. Lay the foundation now so you can regroup with these new contacts again and again. Speaking of networking – are you using the spaghetti approach or have you developed a strategic plan to make sure you’re talking with the right people at the right time for the right role? If you need help click here to learn more about our ninja networking workshop happening in November.
- January 1 career planning means your resume will be ready in February and you’ll potentially be interviewing in the spring. Yes, the spring. Is this what you envisioned when you said “after the first of the year”? I doubt it. So don’t do it. It’s going to take some time to rebuild your resume, think about how you can repurpose your skills and reposition yourself to separate from the herd. Ninety days is the average length of time job seekers are looking in normal circumstances and we can all agree times right now are anything but normal. Start today and save the procrastination for the lazy days of summer. You’ll be glad you did.
Ready to take action now? Click here to schedule a complimentary clarity call or here for information on our November career building workshops.
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