1) Work
2) Personal Finance
3) Fun
4) Family
5) Fitness
6) Mental/Spiritual

If the data proves that those who set defined resolutions are significantly more likely to achieve their goals, then why would anyone NOT set specific, defined targets every January? If you increased your chances of enhancing your work, financial, recreational, family, fitness, and spiritual life by tenfold by simply setting specific, measurable resolutions, then you would be silly to not set a strategy and attack it, right? 

In speaking with candidates and clients in the market, it is clear that there is a crescendo of optimism sweeping across the country right now. With the punch to the face that we’ve all experienced over the past three years, people have lost jobs, homes, marriages, cars, and pride. It has been extremely sobering. But things are getting better. A year ago our clients were asking us to help them find candidates who could keep their companies afloat. Our candidates were asking us to help them find opportunities that could allow them to simply pay the bills. Today, our clients are looking for business developers, profit drivers, and breakthrough growth leaders. Candidates are looking for careers that allow them to get positioned for growth into the future. The economy is rebounding, the stock market is on the uptick and it’s good to be an American again. 

If you could bottle up this economic momentum and really focus on your personal and professional growth this year, how far could you go in 2011? I know I’ve thought a lot about this in the last few weeks. My goals are set and I’m in “go” mode as we speak. I encourage everyone to set a goal this year and get after it. Someone much wittier than I said, “Don’t let your New Year’s resolution go in one year and out the other.” I couldn’t agree more.

Jeff Kovar, Aureus Group Recruiter

About the Author, Jeff Kovar
Jeff has been with the Aureus Executive Search team since September 2008 and in the recruiting business since April 2007. Prior to entering the recruiting world, he worked for five years in the corporate currency exchange business. He specializes in working with $100K+ candidates in the actuarial, financial, accounting, banking, and many other functional areas from coast to coast. Jeff enjoys golfing, watching Nebraska football, spending time with his wife Jenny, their son Connor and jogging with their two labs – Freddy and Cali.

Add this annual professional check-up to your routine to make sure your career isn’t on the critical list.

Ask yourself these six key questions at least once a year:
• Am I achieving my job objectives?
• Have my career objectives changed?
• Is this job meeting my expecta­tions?
• Am I doing what I’m good at and enjoy doing?
• Are my skills up to date for this job and organization?
• How can I best achieve career satisfaction either on this job or in another job or career?