A Fresh Start

A new year is the perfect time to update your immediate and future goals.

For those of you thinking about a career change this year — even for those of you who are happy in your current job — some of the following New Year's resolutions may be worth reviewing. They also may serve as an early wake-up call regarding problems that could affect your job or your family.

Check your attitude: Have you become complacent, lost your creativity, or stopped caring about your current job? How are you getting along with your coworkers? Ask your family and friends what they think. A bad or indifferent attitude could signal that things are not going well around the office or at home.

Step on the scales: Have you put on a few pounds during the holidays? If you have gained excessive weight, resolve to start exercising regularly along with eating sensibly. Make daily exercise as much a part of your life as eating. Exercise can improve your attitude as well as your health.

Take a look at your wardrobe: When was the last time you threw out old or worn-out clothes? Even if you think no one at your office cares how you dress, trust me, they do see you and, possibly out of politeness, keep quiet about your frayed trousers and shoes that need to be polished. Go through your entire closet and get rid of the items you haven't worn in a few years. Check what's left for serviceability, style, and fit.

Tips from TOPS Are you interested in establishing valuable professional and social contacts with fellow TROA members? check out TROA's Informational Network Contact listings, available for members through TROA's Web Base, www.troa.org, under "TOPS Career Center".

Tune up your social skills: Have you been sociable lately? Have you isolated yourself from family, friends, and coworkers? When was the last time you invited friends over or went to someone else's home (other than a relative's) for a purely social visit? Resolve to join a social or professional organization or get involved in community activities; they can provide valuable social and professional networks.

Read more: What was the last professional magazine, journal, or book you read? Are you watching business trends to see if your industry is changing? If so, are you changing with it? Avoid getting into the habit of slipping into a nightly coma watching tv after a few drinks and a big dinner. I've never heard of a person getting a job while watching television.

Take control of your credit card balances: If, after the holidays, you have more than a $1,000 balance on your credit card, realistically determine if you will be able to pay it off when the next bill comes. If not, you may need to regain control of your finances. For starters, quit buying things you don't absolutely need until your credit card debt is zero. Also, talk with your spouse about having one credit card apiece and paying the full balance each month.

Create or update your résumé: If you are still on active duty, resolve to write a résumé and get it over to the base transition office for a review. Do not pay anyone to write your résumé for you. If you have been in the civilian workforce for a while, review the one you originally wrote for your current job and update it.

Make a long-term financial plan: Instead of going along from month to month making ends meet, look five to 10 years out and decide where you want to be financially and professionally. Then, determine what you need to do to accomplish your goals.

If, after reviewing the above resolutions, you are truly happy with your personal and professional life, stay on course and have a great new year.