#hashtag #getfocused

Last week I discovered an article in the Australian Financial Review titled "#boredatwork means #yourfired". The gist of the article was that over 300,000 people had used the hashtag #boredatwork on Instagram during their first week back at work this January. #hatemyjob and #hatemyboss were also popular.

What’s a hashtag you say? Check out Wikipedia

Returning to work after the Christmas/New Year break is tough, particularly in countries like Australia sitting squarely in the beautiful summer weather. A couple of weeks lolling about eating and drinking, having afternoon naps and if you’re lucky lying by the beach or having swim is often what is needed at the end of a busy year. Many of us find it tough returning to the reality of work and paying the bills.

My first week back was tough. The weather was fantastic in Sydney which I could witness from my office window. If there was ever a disadvantage to having an office with natural light, this was it! I wasn’t really ready to be back at work, like most of the office. I wanted more holidays but I don’t have much leave accrued and my oldest son Aiden starts school this year, so I need to save what I have for this school holidays.

Boredom at work can strike at any time. Not just on returning from holidays. We all have times at work that aren’t that interesting or fun so what do you do when they strike? Here's my top 3 suggestions:

1.      Keep off social media. While it’s tempting to slip your phone out and have a cyberspace vent, it’s really stupid. HR people like me get calls from Managers having to deal with this kind of stuff. Seriously, if you #hateyourjob are #boredatwork and #hateyourboss you may find yourself #unemployed. The saying “If you can’t say something nice….” applies to social media.  Also prospective employers will often go online and check applicants Facebook or Twitter accounts during the recruitment process. While I ask Managers I'm working with on recruiting roles not to do this, it still happens. What kind of image do you want to portray to the world?

2.      Remember why you’re here. What’s your career plan? What are you trying to achieve? What do you need to learn? Get focused and get moving. I spent my first weeks back from leave planning what I need to achieve during the year. While not that exciting it has got my head into the right space and I feel like I'm on the way to achieving what I need to.

3.      Deal with your boss. If you seriously have issues with your boss read this post

We are nearly through January and what have you achieved? How are your 2014 goals tracking?

2014 Goals

Oh I know. Boring. Another post about new years resolutions and goals for the year. Pffffft!

The thing is though if you are going to keep track of your career and where you want it to be, you have to take time to reflect on what you have achieved and what you wished you had done better. Sometimes we don't realise how much we have achieved or how far we have come. A little bit of looking back is a good thing.

I wrote a post here about what I achieved and what I was grateful for in 2013.

I also looked back on my most popular blogs posts. Here they are:

• My top 7 interview tips is worth a read if you are thinking about looking for a new job in the new year.
• Managing your career: keeping your mind fit. Many of us make resolutions about our physical health in the new year. What about your mental health? 
• Is 2014 the year to do something about your Manager? Read My top 3 tips for dealing with...well..a crap Manager!
• Take a break. Most of us in Australia have a break over the Christmas/New Year period but maybe this is the perfect time to plan your next holiday?
• 5 ways to future proof your career.  Have you done this yet?

But what of 2014? Nothing better than a new year full of possibilities. A year when you could achieve anything or be anyone, though I recommend working out your purpose and being (the best version of) yourself.

I have set some goals for this blog. I originally started the blog because honestly, I was sick and tired of employees I work with expecting other people to somehow look after their career. My philosophy is that while there are people who will help you with your career and your goals, you have to take responsibility for your own development. This blog is about helping people do that.

I also started this blog to develop my blogging skills in a different content area. I write over at Secret Homes of Glebe but wanted to try my hand at something more in my career area. I also wanted to raise my profile as a HR professional. While I will continue to do this my goals for 2014 for the blog are:

• Once a month feature a video interview someone interesting about how they are got to where they are in their career..I'm going to learn how to shoot and edit videos!
• Blog at least once a week. I lost my way in about September last year and never got my blogging grove back.
• Speak/present at 3 different events during the year, either on improving your career, being a full time working mum who travels a lot or something HR related. I'm open people and I work for free!

What do you want to achieve in 2014?