Ring in the new year confidently with a resolution to take your career in an exciting new direction. Whether you want to level up your leadership skills or completely reskill into a new role in your company, January is the perfect time to get inspired by big ideas. 

Here are six steps to not only set a professional New Year’s resolution, but also to achieve it and truly tap into your potential in 2025. Now that’s worth celebrating with fireworks!

1. Reflect on the past year

Before you set pen to paper on your upcoming career goals, take the time to reflect on what you’ve already accomplished in your work and what you hope to achieve in the future. From there, you can figure out what in-demand skills you need to move forward.

There are a couple of different exercises you can do to get clear on your vision. First, use longer blocks of time when you’re off work over the holidays. Bill Gates famously took off two weeks each year to spend time alone in a cabin in the woods, calling it his “Think Week.” Some of Microsoft’s biggest ideas were almost certainly developed during these quiet retreats.

Even if you don’t have time for a solo getaway, schedule a weekly standing appointment with yourself to think about your professional future and how you want to achieve your goals. Taking a long walk without distractions, for instance, gives you space to uncover the next steps you want to tackle in your career.

Another option is to schedule time with a career coach. One-on-one coaching is incredibly effective in helping you explore benefits and opportunities available in your company. Career coaches know the right questions to ask to help you uncover what you want to achieve in the months and years ahead. Plus, they’ll help you figure out how to overcome financial hurdles.

2. Set SMART goals

Once you have a general idea of what you want to achieve in the new year, you need a clear plan on how to realistically get there. Think “SMART” when you start writing out what you want to achieve in 2025. SMART goals should be:

• Specific: Get clear on what you want to achieve and the steps you will take.
• Measurable: Create metrics to track your progress.
• Achievable: Be realistic with what you can get done on top of your other responsibilities at work and in your personal life. Also note the resources available to you that will help you accomplish your goal.
• Relevant: Think about the relevance of your goal in the context of your personal life and your company’s future needs. For instance, you may be ready for more responsibility as your kids get older. Or maybe your company has skills gaps it's trying to fill and you want to be part of that growth.
• Time-bound: Create a timeline for each step of your goal. Taking a class? Set a date for when you’ll enroll. Getting a new certification? Map out when you aim to complete each requirement.

3. Balance personal and professional goals

Tackling a huge professional challenge may seem exciting when you’re at work. But also remember to incorporate your plans into your personal life. For instance, if you’re taking a class outside of work hours, figure out how it’s going to fit into your schedule at home. Remember to account for in-class time as well as project or study time.

Also discuss your plans with your family before committing. It’s helpful to have spouses and kids onboard so no one is surprised when you skip movie night in favor of studying. Plus, you can set any new expectations in advance to get more help around the house when you need it.

4. Set yourself up for success

Once you’re beyond January and knee-deep in working towards your next career phase, it’s important to stay motivated in the months ahead. There are a few different ways you can set yourself up for success. For starters, be transparent about your plan with your manager. That way you have support at work, especially during busy periods where you may have a test that’s adding stress to your schedule.

Another way to stay motivated is to join a networking group. Check with your company to see if there are any relevant employee resource groups you can participate in. Alternatively, look for local professional chapters of associations in your future field. Going to events and conferences helps you make new connections and stay excited about your career path. Partnering with a mentor also provides another level of support and may help you achieve your goals even faster.

5. Utilize available tools and resources

Your company likely has plenty of support resources for you to take advantage of, especially if your professional New Year’s resolution is in line with their corporate objectives. According to the 2023 SHRM Employee Benefits Survey, 48% of companies offer tuition assistance, 82% offer formal skills training, and 87% provide professional memberships.

You may also have access to career coaching at work. EdAssist’s expert coaches, for instance, can help you develop a career pathway as well as a financial plan. You may even discover that previous credits and experience could count towards your next professional move!

6. Schedule regular checkpoints

The final strategy for successfully reaching your New Year’s resolution at work is to put mechanisms in place to track your progress. Schedule a regular checkpoint with yourself to review the SMART goals you set earlier in the year. Think bi-weekly or monthly appointments to reflect on what’s working and what areas need adjustment.

It's okay to work on finding a sustainable balance and adjust your resolution as necessary. For instance, if you get assigned a new project at work, you may need to reduce your course load. Get comfortable with adjusting your resolution if it means staying on track to actually meet those goals instead of giving up.

Working with a career coach is another great resource for staying motivated and accountable. Coaches have experience in helping you identify pain points and finding solutions that help you move forward with your goals.

Unlock your next steps in 2025

Ready to make a New Year’s resolution for your career that you’re excited to stick to? Learn more about your education benefits to get started.