Getting Your 2020 Off To A Great Start
First impressions are important. Even science backs up that fact–thanks to the psychological phenomenon known as the “primacy effect,” people are more likely to remember beginnings. Given that, we’re certain you’ll want to make sure your year at work gets off to an impressive start. Our carefully-selected pros below offer up tips on how to do just that.
Over at Forbes, Michael D. Brown advises, “Learn to omit the negative and be positive. ‘Omitting the negative means learning from the inevitable negative experiences you will encounter without dwelling on them or letting them consume the valuable real estate in your head,’ Brown says. ‘The air these days is full of negativity and pessimism, and others who have given up in the face of difficult times will do their best to drag you to their level. Remember, tough times do not last; tough people do.’” The emphasis there is ours. You’ve already made it this far! We know you can keep going. And in both the workplace and beyond, make sure you’re sharing that positive attitude with those around you, lending a helping hand whenever you can.
Next up, decluttering your workplace is a surefire way to provide a clean slate in the new year. Liz Peintner at Idealist provides a list of things to get rid of, including “[y]our smartphone. A 2017 study on smartphone use reported that ‘even when people are successful at maintaining sustained attention…the mere presence of these devices reduces available cognitive capacity.’ This means major distractions when you’re trying to concentrate on an important task. Unless your job includes social media management, find a drawer where your phone can stay while you’re focused on more important matters.” This simple trick will help you keep your eye on the prize: making yourself indispensable to your employer by showing off just how focused you can be.
Our final suggestion might be described as something to accomplish by New Year’s Eve, but you can still use this tip past the clock striking midnight. Dr. Suzanne Gelb at The Muse suggests, “Congratulate Someone on Their Career Success. By celebrating others’ ‘wins,’ you’ll reinforce the belief that you’re a positive, encouraging person—two qualities that are on every employer’s wish list!” This move will also show that you were paying attention last year and that you’re sure to bring that same keen observation and positive spirit into the new year.
Keep all of these steps in mind and the first impression you make in 2020 is sure to be a great impression. Put that burst of extra energy brought by the new calendar year to good use! And remember that as much as January 1st can be a helpful starting point, you get a fresh start when you wake up all 365 days of the year. No matter what happened in 2019, you can shake it off and wow your colleagues and boss. Want even more ways to get your 2020 off to a great start? Check out our blog again tomorrow!
This posting is brought to you by Contemporaries Inc., one of the best temp agencies in Boston MA. Also available for payrolling employees in Boston and Greater Boston
Recent Posts
Lighting The Way In Your Professional Environment
Welcome back! We hope you had a wonderful long weekend. After that extra day of rest, we’re re-charged and ready to provide you with our latest round of tips and tricks for personal and professional success. In honor of Presidents’ Day (as well as the spring that is...
Learning About Black History Boston’s Landscape
Happy Friday! Today we’re closing out the week by looking at even more ways to honor Black History Month, focusing especially at the local level. History exists beyond the pages of textbooks; while “history” may concern things that happened in the past, it’s necessary...
Supporting Black-Owned Small Businesses in Boston
In continuing our special focus on honoring Black History Month, today we’re turning to the City of Boston’s Office of Economic Development’s list of more than 500 Black and Brown-owned businesses throughout Boston. List includes everything from restaurants to...
Drawing Insights From Local Arts and Culture
While our blog typically focuses on tips and tricks for professional success, we know that you have a life outside of your workplace. Which is why today we’re encouraging you to establish a work-life balance in the here and now that honors Black History Month. Below...
Honoring Black History Month
Welcome back! It’s February, and that means that it’s Black History Month. We firmly believe that diversity strengthens the capacities of organizations, as differences of attributes and experiences broaden knowledge bases across workplace communities. This week our...
Feel Good Friday: Cozy
Happy Friday! We’re finishing off the week with one final look at ways to adopt a mental framework that ensures you’re experiencing a maximum sense of comfort with yourself in your workplace and beyond. Being confident in yourself and your abilities is a surefire way...
Finding Your Fit In A New Professional Environment
Today, as part of this week’s focus on feeling cozy no matter your surroundings, we’re focusing on feeling comfortable as a new employee in any professional environment—though you can also apply these tips even if you’re remaining in the same company while taking on a...
Wednesday Wellness: Cozy
Welcome to the week’s midpoint! Today we’re considering “cozy” in terms of being comfortable with yourself. This will allow you to build up your confidence, which will enhance your workplace performance and enable you to feel equipped in seeking to make strides...
Achieving Workplace Comfort For Yourself And Others
Today we’re considering being cozy in your workplace in terms of not just adjusting and settling in but as maintaining a safe, comfortable environment for both yourself and others. Establishing appropriate professional boundaries is a key step in that process. This...
Monday Mood Booster: Cozy
Welcome back! With this week’s snowy forecast, winter is definitely here. These are days to focus on getting comfortable—though not complacent. And we’re talking about cozy not just within the context of fireplaces and warm beverages, but also with regards to getting...
Feel Good Friday: Compassion
Happy Friday! As the week comes to a close, make sure you’re treating yourself with compassion in acknowledging and celebrating the fact that you’ve made it all the way to today. You’ve overcome all the challenges life has thrown at you this week, and in the days and...
Compassionate Self-Care In Any Context
Continuing this week’s focus on practicing self-compassion by addressing mental health concerns that arise in the workplace (and/or beyond, especially if you are someone who our present, unprecedented circumstances have caused to be out of work at present), today...
Practicing Compassion in Your Workplace and Beyond
These unprecedented times offer up unique challenges, no matter whether you’re working from home, in-person, or in between jobs--and each of those circumstances then produce their own obstacles. Amidst whatever situation you find yourself in, a necessary component of...
Monday Mood Booster: Compassion
Welcome back! This week our focus is on compassion. We encourage you to both practice self-compassion as well as engaging in an empathetic approach towards others. We know that even though the days are getting brighter for longer, it can still be a struggle to...