9 Career New Year’s Resolution Memes to Kick Off 2022

2022 is just around the corner, and for a lot of us, that means the chance to start fresh and reach for the stars with some New Year’s resolutions. At least… for the first week or so.

Goals are important for several reasons: They help keep you focused, they can improve your mental health, and they can guide you to personal or professional success. But many people who make New Year’s resolutions stop following them as early as Jan. 19.

If you’re one of the millions who struggle with completing their grand declarations, this list of nine encouraging New Year’s resolution memes and advice will help you stick with those goals throughout the year.

1. Set S.M.A.R.T. Goals

You want your goals to be S.M.A.R.T. – Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. Doing one cartwheel by Dec. 31 may be a bit too long of a timetable for that goal, but it is technically S.M.A.R.T.

2. Say Affirmations to Get in the Right Mindset

It sounds awkward, but telling yourself, “You’ve got this,” will actually make it easier to accomplish your resolutions. Affirmations shift your focus to what you can do instead of thinking about what might go wrong or how difficult it might be.

3. Start Strong Habits

It’ll be easier to stay on track through the year if you can make your resolution a habit. The 21/90 rule says that if you can do something for 21 consecutive days, it’ll become routine; and if you can commit to 90 days, it’ll become a lasting change.

4. Quit to Get Ahead

Here’s a tip: Sometimes it’s OK to quit. Plenty of career aspirations (and many aspirations in general) can’t be attained until you leave behind what’s holding you back. In some circumstances, that might mean quitting your job. We’re in the midst of the Great Resignation, so use the current candidate-centric market to advance your career.

5. But Don’t Quit on Your Dreams

Here’s another tip: Don’t quit on your goals because they’re too difficult. If you get partway to achieving your resolution but struggle to make it to the end, break it up into more manageable parts instead of giving up. You may have to adjust your timetable, but that’s better than stopping altogether.

6. Ask for Help if You Need It

You shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help if you lose motivation or aren’t sure where to begin. You’ll find your friends, family, and even coworkers are usually willing to assist you when needed. For specific questions about your career goals, a career advisor is a good person to consult.

7. Don’t Procrastinate

Don’t put off to tomorrow what you can do today. Procrastination can be appealing, but you’ll never reach your goals if you never get started.

8. Believe in Yourself

Believing that you can do it is key to sticking with your resolutions. Remember your affirmations! And in the words of Journey, “Don’t stop believing.”

9. Stay Golden

As we move into 2022, keep a positive attitude and don’t let anything get in the way of your career objectives. Head to our Job Seeker Resource Center for more advice throughout the year.