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New Year, New Job? (or should I stay or should I go?)

Happy New Year! How are you feeling? A bit jittery? Restless, perhaps? Something doesnt feel quite right? Well, you may be coming down from all that excitement over Christmas and the New Year. You have probably promised yourself not to touch another drop of alcohol for oooh at least a month. And, you've given yourself a stern lecture about eating too many puddings. This may all account for some of that twitching!

But it could be that you've been subconsciously thinking about making some changes in your life. The New Year is a time when many of us have a good old think about our lives and what we want from the future. Some of us are looking for new adventures, excitement and challenges and January is traditionally the time for looking forward. January is the month when lots of us try to stick to New Years resolutions, from dieting to giving up the booze and even more of us are also thinking about looking for new jobs and moving on with our careers. . Out with the old and in with the new!

But hang on, not so fast! Just think about it for a moment. Yes, many companies do take on more staff in the early part of every year, just when many people are looking for a new job. So think about it when you're applying for a new job you may well be just another desperate face amongst all those others unhappy souls frantically trying to find a new job!

You really need to take a calm step back, take a few breaths and focus. If you follow some of our top tips for the New Year, we can help you get the job you really want rather than jumping into the first one that comes along.

But first things first. Before you dive into looking for a new job, I would thoroughly recommend a good work-life detox! Seriously, having given up cocktails and chocolate, there are some other things youre going to have to give up too.

Junk - Get Rid of It!
You know what I mean. All those piles of papers youve got lurking around. Now really is the time to start putting them in order. Sort them out into legal, financial/bills, and junk. File the legal and financial/bills and bin the rest. Really. You will probably start to declutter your house and will feel much better at the same time! In fact, while you're at it, start thinking of what else you can get rid of? And remember, your junk might be someone else's treasure, so you can always think about sending old clothes to the local charity shop or trying to sell them on e-Bay!?

Think About the Job You’ve Got
Remember the grass really isn't always greener on the other side. Yes, there may be things you don't like about your job. But it really might not be worth just throwing it all in and taking the first job that comes along just because youre a bit bored or unhappy. (OK, don't leave all this until the last minute when your job has made you so miserable that it is actually making you ill!) But take a few minutes to think about what is it that you really like and enjoy about your job right now and what is it that you dislike. Now, write this down. Make a list. Your likes and dislikes can really help you focus on what you want and also on how to revamp your CV!

What is important to you? What sort of boss do you want? Is money an important factor or the commute to work? Think about what you have got to offer; about your skill set and work experience. And be honest! What sort of training do you want or need? Do you want a job with career development and growth? These are all factors you need to take into consideration. Your own personal life plan and values are pretty important too. Think about where you really want to be in say 5 years down the line?

Where do you want to work? What kind of organisation do you want to work for? Which industry? Where is it based?

Prepare for the Future
So now you have all this information, you can really make it work for you, either in your current situation or on your CV. You can take a look and see whether there are things you can improve or develop in your existing job or whether it really is time to update your CV and move on. With these thoughts you now need take action, either by improving your current situation, or heading out to a new one where you can excel. Make this year your platform to more success by being prepared for the future.

Take Action and Make Something Happen
But whether you decide to stay or go, do take action to make something happen, even if it is just one phone call to validate information you have, updating your CV with your latest experience (always a good habit to get into) or getting online to do some job searches. The momentum will gradually build up; giving you more confidence and helping you onto the right path to success.

If you change your mind thats OK too! But do try to take some action, perhaps by visualising what you want. (Although remember new jobs don’t just drop into your head when you are visualising, but visualising will bring images into your mind and help you feel more positive. Your mind doesn’t really know the difference between real and imaginary!) So feel how it would be if you had what you really wanted, and notice what would be around you. Get more of these images, sounds and feelings and surround yourself with them. You will be amazed how quickly acknowledging this brings more of them into your life.

Events is a challenging business and I sincerely hope that you have all the excitement and success you need in your New Year as an events manager, organiser or supplier. It doesn't matter where you go, you will always take yourself with you. Be happy with you! Acknowledge just how far you have come already and please don’t beat yourself up if you haven’t got everything you had hoped for last year. This year you’re going to achieve more of your goals and ambitions.

Good luck and I hope you have an amazing 2008 and beyond!

P.S.
Oh and if after all of this youre still feeling a bit stressed, then I really can recommend a trip to a spa for a relaxing pampering experience. Or what about half an hour spent with some deep breathing exercises? And do continue to detox your life so that you can really claim to be a new and exciting you for 2008, letting things go and yourself stay!

More information
For more information on talks, training and executive behaviour development either generally or for your next event, please contact Carole Railton via www.lifeafterbranding.com or at carole@lifeafterbranding.com, quoting LondonMICE. You can also reach her on +44 (0)7866 531 400.