You’ve no doubt heard the expression, “Hindsight is 20/20.” This month, though, with what has been a very challenging year finally behind us, we can happily say, “2020 is hindsight.”
And as a new year gets underway, New Year’s resolutions — even resolutions concerning your work — can be a great way to put 2020 in your rearview mirror and adopt a positive attitude toward 2021.
Here are eight New Year’s resolutions — four good ideas and four bad ones — for your consideration:
NO: Get a raise. Research has shown that salary is not an effective tool for motivation.
YES: Get more training. By focusing on the process of improvement, you will become a more skilled employee deserving of a raise anyway.
NO: Focus more on work. Working long hours not only deprives you of sleep, exercise and social activity, it also has been linked to depression.
YES: Get a new hobby. Pursuing interests outside of work can give your creativity a much-needed boost.
NO: Eat fewer snacks. Negative resolutions, including food restriction, are tougher to keep than positive resolutions.
YES: Get a standing desk. This is a much easier and more positive way to be healthy at work.
NO: Get to work earlier. This might pay off for some folks, but not always. If you get to work at 6 a.m. and you’re drowsy for three hours, where’s the benefit?”
YES: Listen to your body and mind. Instead of merely getting up earlier, keep a log to record how much sleep you’re getting and how that translates into productivity at work —and then adjust accordingly.
