Take Time to Plan

It’s easy to get bogged down in the day-to-day activities of our jobs and our lives. What we’re doing today trumps what we need to plan for a month or a year from now. One of the best business books for women I’ve ever read was amBITCHous. Though it boasts a somewhat controversial title, it outlines ways in which women can make more money, acquire more power, and get the recognition she deserves.

The most valuable lesson I took from this book was the importance of practicing self-evaluation and the continual updating of your career plan. The author, Debra Condren, recommends taking a weekend to yourself at least once a year. Rent a hotel room, if possible. Get yourself out of your normal environment and the distractions of your television, family and friends, and spend that time planning and being introspective.

Well, not all of us can hole up in a hotel suite to plan our next career moves. So if you can’t find a swanky hotel (or afford one), at least commit to the exercise. Take a day (or two if you can swing it) and focus solely on planning your next moves. What are your goals and objectives for the next year? What do you want to accomplish at work and at home? What are your “BHAGS” (Big Hairy Audacious Goals) for the next 3 or 5 years?

Taking “time for yourself” doesn’t always mean a manicure and a massage. It means truly thinking through your goals, your plans, and your next steps. For me, being three months into a job, now is the time to set goals, plan for my success in my job, and reevaluate what I need to feel fulfilled in my life.