As you emerge into January, slightly bleary-eyed from a restful break, take a moment to celebrate your victories, big and small from 2023, with a ‘Ta-Da’ list – a reflection on your accomplishments of the past year, whether you are still studying or if you have moved on from the University. This exercise not only brings a sense of achievement but also sets the stage for a purposeful ‘To Do’ list for the year ahead.
The ‘Ta-Da’ List: Celebrate Your Wins
Start with the easy wins – the first 10 accomplishments that come to mind, then challenge yourself to think of 40 or even 50 achievements from the last year. Delve into your past year’s diary, timetable, or work objectives to uncover the hidden gems. Include moments of courage, like tackling something new, seeking help when needed, or saying ‘no’ to things not aligned with your goals. Your ‘Ta-Da’ list is personal, for your eyes only, but sharing it with a friend or colleague can bring added insights.
This exercise isn’t about resolutions but a chance to reflect on your brilliance. Your ‘Ta-Da’ list captures achievements that might never have made it to a traditional ‘To Do’ list, but they are just as significant. Keep this list handy for a mid-January pick-me-up or share it for a boost from others.
The ‘To Do’ List: Planning for 2024
Resist the urge to make resolutions that may fizzle out by the end of January. Instead, focus on what you’d like to achieve in 2024, building on the successes of the previous year. Consider your aspirations, whether it’s gaining some experience, securing your first graduate job, pursuing postgraduate study, changing direction, or advancing in your current role.
Here are some thoughts to guide your ‘To Do’ list:
- Visualise December 2024: Where do you want to be at the end of the year? Break down significant goals into manageable steps to stay focused and motivated.
- Learn from Challenges: Reflect on challenges faced in 2023. What small changes can you make to make things more efficient this year?
- Prioritise Self-Care: Block out time for holidays now, offering yourself something to look forward to and preventing burnout, helping to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
- Set SMART Objectives: Ensuring your plans are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound (SMART) provides clarity for what you are aiming for.
- Spread the actions across the year if you can so there isn’t a mad rush to get them all completed at the same time, and you get regular feelings of accomplishment as you tick another thing off the list.
- Remember there are only 24 hours in a day, be kind to yourself.
By completing your ‘Ta-Da’ and ‘To Do’ lists, you’ll embark on 2024 with positivity, purpose, and a clear roadmap for success.
If you are making plans for the next step in your career why not sign up for one of the events we have this year, or book in to chat with one of our careers consultants – we offer online and face-to-face appointments and have some evening slots available in January too.
This blog post was inspired by the Research Adjacent podcast by Sarah McClusky, listen in to hear her take on the Ta Da list and get inspiration for yours.
Vicki Aldmington, Careers Consultant