Are you struggling to keep your New Year's resolutions? You're not alone! Here we are, two weeks into a shiny new decade, and - if history proves correct - some of you are already struggling with those infamous New Year's resolutions. According to research on this, only 9% of those who make a list of resolutions succeed. (Yikes!) But no judgment here. We're all guilty. Sometimes life happens, and old habits are tough to break.
What struck me recently is the kind of resolutions most people talk about. We've all heard the usual M.O. when it comes to resolutions: "This year, I will save more money… exercise more... quit smoking... learn a new hobby... etc." These are all tremendous personal objectives. And if you successfully hit your personal self-care goals, then more power to you.
But lately, around the office, I've noticed that the New Year's resolutions are abuzz with a refreshing entrepreneurial edge to them. And I love it. Professional resolutions are so much more exciting to me simply because of the network and support group you have amongst colleagues, mentors, and even your clients. And setting professional goals that will help you improve at what you do every day is, after all, the whole point. Challenging ourselves to become more productive, creative, and happier at work is essential to any team's success.
I'm going to talk about three of the most popular resolutions floating around our office to give you an idea of what you could add to your own business's professional resolutions. I'll also dive into some supplementary resources that my colleagues and I have used, which, hopefully, will help you (and us) become a part of that elusive 8%.
1. "I will listen to more work-related podcasts (not just True Crime ones)."
Whether looking to be a better marketer or looking for inspiration for launching a new business, podcasts offer a great avenue to learn something new. And it's as easy as accessing Spotify during your subway commute into work, driving to your next client meeting, or grabbing your afternoon espresso. Podcasts fit into a busy life and will put you into the right frame of mind to conquer your professional goals. And the nice thing about podcasts is that there's something for everyone. Those seeking motivation, expert tips, or even a moment of midday zen will find something useful. Bonus: With podcasts, you don't have to listen to the episodes in order.
A few helpful resources:
- The Charged Life with Brendan Bouchard - Bouchard is a high-performance expert and a New York Times bestselling author who focuses on tapping into your motivational drive. It's great for a quick Monday morning boost to prepare for the week ahead.
- The #AskGaryVee Show - Thought leader Gary Vaynerchuk dives into topics like entrepreneurship, business management, leadership, and millennialism. Tune in for both practical and inspirational know-how about creating the career you always wanted. You'll find his perspective interesting since he's actually only taken three vacations in his whole life!
- The Growth Show with Hubspot - Hubspot CMO Kipp Bodnar and VP of Marketing Meghan Keaney Anderson discuss all things related to marketing growth strategies from an organizational and cultural perspective. Explore how teams at Google, Apple, and Twitter have changed how they handle team management.
- Entrepreneur.com 10 Podcast Recommendations - Deep Patel from Entrepreneur.com recently shared 10 of his recommendations, all focusing on success stories, lessons, and challenges from other entrepreneurs like Tony Robbins and Tim Ferriss. I haven't had the chance to tune into all of these yet, but a few of them will definitely get added to my list.
2. "I will keep up-to-date with Google's every move."
This is a tough one to make but doable. Since Google's algorithm changes more times than a baby's diaper, this resolution is actually an annual must-have for any marketer, small business owner, or solopreneur. These algorithm updates are helping searchers find the most useful content out there, and you want it to come from you! So, keeping up with Google's changes is the best place to start.
A few helpful resources:
- The Beginner's Guide to SEO - This is one of our favorites from the folks at Moz. It's all about making your site search-friendly on Google (or any other search engine, for that matter). While Google is working on its nest algorithm update, newcomers should always start with SEO education.
- Why You Need to Care About On-SERP SEO - 'No-click searches' took the SERPS by storm this year, which changed the game for marketers. This is a huge Google development you must continue to watch closely this year.
- Google in 2020: From Everyone's Search Engine to Everyone's Competitor - Rand Fishkin from SparkToro (and formally MOZ) is a favorite source of ours around here for all things SEO. Keep an eye on Rand, and you inevitably keep an eye on Google. Check out this latest presentation on how Google is expected to change the web landscape this year.
- Google - Sometimes you gotta go straight to the horse's mouth. Google's team covers major updates and answers important questions directly on its blog.
3. "I will learn a new programming language."
Taking on learning a new programming language this year is no small feat, but it's a powerful resolution. High five to all of you who've made this resolution this year. No one can ever tell you that you're scared of a challenge! Marketers ready to jump on this one already know that having at least a basic handle on a few programming languages is an excellent way to enhance your marketing toolkit. Even just being familiar with coding can help open up doors for customized solutions, creating cooler email campaigns, executing better A/B testing, automating GoogleAds, and - naturally - working with tech partners much easier.
A few helpful resources:
- Programming 101 for Marketers - Kapost shared this comprehensive list of which languages might be the most helpful for marketers. From Javascript to Python, they dive into the practical benefits of each. There are far more than the ones mentioned here, but it's a decent place to start.
- Intro to Python from Moz - Python is a hot topic in the marketing world lately, and this recent Whiteboard Friday talks about how it can automate tasks, discover keyword opportunities, scrape websites, and more. Plus, the episode has a cute little python named Pumpkin to get you into the mood. (Personally, I would have named the python Monty.)
- 10 Free Classes to Learn to Code (If You Have Absolutely No Idea Where to Start) - Here's a rundown of free classes to start with on resources like Codecademy, Udemy, and Skillshare. Learning to code can be intimidating, so the gratis route can do wonders for alleviating the pressure.
6 Tips to Help You Keep Your New Year Resolutions
Be Picky About Your Resolutions
Not all resolutions are worth pursuing. Choose goals that align with your career, workload, and long-term aspirations. A resolution should be relevant and realistic—enhancing your productivity, skills, or work-life balance. Avoid vague ambitions like "be more organized" and focus on specific improvements, such as "use a project management tool to track deadlines."
Plan Your Resolution
A resolution without a plan is just a wish. Break it down into steps and integrate it into your daily routine. If your goal is to improve time management, decide on specific actions like scheduling deep work sessions or limiting unnecessary meetings. A planner, digital calendar, or task management app can help structure your progress.
Set Very Specific Goals
Vague resolutions lead to vague results. Instead of "improve communication skills," define measurable actions like "take a public speaking course by March" or "send weekly progress updates to my team." Setting deadlines and tracking progress keeps you accountable.
Don't Take on Too Much
Trying to overhaul your work habits all at once is overwhelming. Prioritize one or two resolutions and master them before adding more. If you aim to develop leadership skills, start with small steps like mentoring a colleague before committing to a full-fledged leadership program.
Choose a New Resolution
If a resolution isn't working, don't force it. Sometimes, external factors make a goal impractical. Instead of abandoning resolutions altogether, pivot to something more achievable. For example, if daily journaling feels unsustainable, try a weekly check-in instead.
Give Your Resolution Time to Become a Habit
Behavior change takes time, especially in a busy work environment. Set a realistic timeline for progress—typically, habits take several weeks to form. Use reminders, accountability partners, or progress trackers to reinforce consistency. If you slip up, don't quit; adjust and keep going.
Contact WSI for Your Digital Marketing Needs
No matter what you choose to work on improving this year, remember there are other professionals out there tackling the same goals as you. Share resources, celebrate milestones, and ask for help if you need it. Often, it's in your network that you will find the most motivation to reach your target. For more tips on how to keep your New Year's resolutions or for digital marketing advice and services, contact WSI today.
