More Career Management Moves In 5 Minutes Or Less

One of my most popular posts was Career Management In 5 Minutes A Day. Apparently, there’s something appealing about improving yourself quickly because everyone is strapped for time. Here are 10 more ideas for improving your career skills, prospects and network in just a few minutes:

• Write down three professional wins this year. Save this for your next performance review.

• Write down three personal wins this year. Reminding yourself of the good things begets confidence and makes you more attractive to opportunities.

• Set a timer for 5 minutes and write down as many things you can think of that your company could improve. Save this list for a quiet time when you can plan for next year, and try to take on one or more projects from this list.

• Set a timer for 5 minutes and write down as many options you can think of for earning money outside your current job. Save this list to remind yourself that you aren’t stuck. You have alternatives. You may want to take on one or more projects from this list!

• Increase your retirement contribution by 1%. You’ve been meaning to pay yourself first anyway. Having a solid financial foundation begets confidence and enables risk-taking. (If you’ve maxed out your retirement contribution, hooray! Now set up an automatic transfer from your checking account to savings, even if it’s just $50 per paycheck.)

• Visit another floor you don’t normally visit. People move around. It’s important to know people outside your immediate area.

• Write a love letter to your spouse, kids, or best friend. It is not just our professional network that sustains us, and sometimes we can take those closest to us for granted.

• Take a brisk walk up and down the stairs. Physical activity encourages better concentration.

• Make your doctor, dentist or other regular wellness appointment. Good health begets the energy and endurance you need for a good career.

• Purge your I-need-to-read-this pile. Go to the library or book store and get the book you’re really interested in reading. Nurturing our passions outside of work begets more passion in other areas, including work.

***For more career advice, join me for a free webinar series: Confessions of a Former Recruiter. I'll share what works and what doesn’t for interviewing, negotiation, getting through to recruiters and more!.***