By now it’s well past the time to be thinking about the resolutions you made at the close of last year, and just the right moment to take advantage of the tabula rasa of the brand new year and doing something about making life work for you. Here are three ways to get going.
Dress the part
Want to score a second date? Make an effort to look nice on the first one. Want to ace that job interview? Iron that shirt, and shine those shoes. You can whine and moan all you want about “superficiality,” but at the end of the day, the packaging sells the product, so invest in what you wear. This doesn’t mean you have to break the bank to buy expensive threads. Invest in a solid, reliable wardrobe of versatile basics, and you’re off to a good start.
Spring clean your social network
If this is the year where you make career a priority, you must take better care of your social profile, and these days, that mostly means your online presence. Those silly frapes and photo tags might be all in the spirit of fun, but they may be hurting you professionally. If you’re trying to come across as someone dependable and professional, and yet 90% of your posts are pouty selfies, there’s a good chance you’ll be passed over for a promotion or assignment. So take stock of what you’re posting, and what people are posting about you, and then give your digital footprint a good clean.
Be a trooper
Whether you’re at work, or still in school, there is no better way to garner respect and drive home your worth than by doing a good job. Quit the sense of entitlement, and the narcissistic navel gazing, and be the person who’s on time, on the job, and can be relied on. Take initiative. If you want to be seen as a good worker, go the extra mile to get the job done. If you want to be thought of as a good friend, do more than just “like” someone’s posts. Make some time for some quality time. You get the idea.
Make this the year you become the person you have always wanted to be.