New Year, New Me: The importance of professional self-improvement.

January is often a time for deep reflection, a contemplative look back at the highs and lows of the past year. As winter hangs heavy, and the years roll on, we are prompted to think about radical forms of self-improvement. The call of ‘now or never’ drives us to make plans to get fit, drink less, learn how to scuba dive or join a theatre group, for example. And so, as we sit on the sofa staring into the empty tub of chocolates, we begin to prioritise the things that matter most over the things that matter least to transform our lives, improve our well-being, rebalance our behaviours or achieve growth on a personal level.

Yet what of our plans for self-improvement on a professional level, are our priorities the same? Are we embracing 2024 with a vision for improvement, or is it a matter of ‘New Year, Same Me’? There’s certainly something to be said for accepting ourselves as we are and persisting with the status quo after it takes a lot of effort to achieve change, and if we demand too much of ourselves we only end up stressed and tired.

In business the idea of ‘new year, same me’ leads to complacency. If we sit back and do nothing we stagnate. The lack of any form of physical or intellectual stimulus makes us vulnerable, particularly if we lack specialist knowledge or social or practical business skills. The fact is, the world around us evolves and we can’t afford to stand still, because in doing so we risk losing our competitive edge and exhausting new business opportunities. If we are to keep pace, protect and strengthen our credibility and reputation we need to refine our talents and sharpen our skilfulness and expertise.

Just as we recognise a need for personal change, so too, must we recognise the need for professional change to be sure of delivering the quality of service our clients desire and expect. New Year is a good time as any to be having a critical conversation with ourselves about professional development needs and unfulfilled aspirations. Reflection offers valuable insight; helping us process our experiences and put things into perspective. It creates self-awareness. It empowers us to believe in ourselves and the talents we have, at the same time allowing us to take control, be strategic and put ourselves on a path that leads to greater professional growth and accomplishment.

Regardless of which attributes and skills we feel the need to hone, self-improvement brings transformation, in which a new version of ourselves will emerge. When we increase our expertise by knowing more or having the skills to do more, we do better because we are better. By demanding more of ourselves we gain and so do our clients.

If we want our business to move forward, onward, and upward we must continually aspire to be our professional best. Professionalism is a strong differentiator, if we are to outshine those around us, we need to be mindful of where there is scope for us to improve and the standards we wish to aim for. Moreover, we must be ready to make these goals a reality and commit to enhancing and developing ourselves accordingly, no matter how challenging this may seem.

In business, ‘new year, same me’ is not an option, because however much we rate our abilities, the ‘same me’ will have limited vision and potential. By prioritising our learning and development we engage in a course of action that sets us apart and enhances our capacity to exemplify professionalism. Quite simply ‘New year, new me’, becomes ‘new year, new me, new fabulous’, and who doesn’t want that acclamation from our clients and contemporaries?

As always, your thoughts and opinions on this piece and any of my articles are welcome and graciously received. Wishing you all continued success throughout 2024  

© Dr Cheryl Whiting – January 2024