New Year's Resolutions for the Workplace

"I've always been an extremely goal-oriented person. I credit this trait (and, honestly, a bit of stubbornness) for getting me through my Ph.D. program. Once I set my mind on a goal, I can become fairly single-minded until I achieve it. While that stubborn streak isn't always ideal in interpersonal relationships (thank you for your patience, husband!), it can be a real asset when it comes to goal-setting."

"This is good news, because decades of research show that goal-setting works. When goals are specific and measurable, performance improves (Kleingeld et al., 2011). Applied to the workplace, goal-setting leads to increased motivation and commitment, as well as higher job satisfaction (Latham, 2004; Ivancevich, 1976). There's an old saying attributed to Zig Ziglar, "If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.""

"Create (and stick to) healthy work-life boundaries If you have historically struggled to create or stick to healthy work-life boundaries, there is no time like the present to make a change. It can be easy to get caught up in the day-to-day grind at work, but chronic over-exertion leads straight to burnout. Here's a hard truth: if you were to quit on January 1, you'd likely be replaced by the end of the month."

Decades of research show that specific, measurable goals improve performance and increase motivation, commitment, and job satisfaction. Setting workplace goals similar to New Year's resolutions can guide professional development and outcomes. Creating and enforcing healthy work-life boundaries prevents chronic over-exertion and burnout; employees should stop taking calls and returning emails outside designated work hours. Employers and individuals should set "hard stop" times and prioritize mental and physical health while maintaining strong professional contributions. Clear, time-bound goals combined with boundary management support sustained productivity and personal well-being in the workplace.

Read at Psychology Today