Making the Most of the Holiday Season During Your Career Transition
Introduction
The holiday season is a unique time of year, filled with moments of joy, connection, and reflection. For those in career transition, it can also bring a mix of emotions and challenges.
The good news? The holidays present a golden opportunity to step back, focus on what matters most, and prepare yourself for a powerful start to the following year.
This blog offers three actionable areas to help you make the most of this time: reconnecting with loved ones, focusing on career tasks that don’t rely on responses, and building a roadmap for the year ahead.
1. Prioritise Joy: Set PERSONAL Holiday Goals That Matter
The holidays are about connection, love, and renewal. Make it your mission to create wonderful moments with family, friends, and loved ones.
Plan Quality Time: Organise gatherings, go for long walks, or simply have meaningful conversations with those you care about.
Find Joy in the Little Things: Bake cookies, watch your favourite holiday movies, or participate in traditions that bring warmth and happiness.
Seek Comfort and Support: Share your thoughts and feelings with trusted friends or family members. This is a time to recharge emotionally and strengthen your bonds.
Volunteer: Give some of your time and energy to those in need.
By being fully present and finding joy in the season, you’ll build up great stores of emotional resilience and support you might need to fuel your career quest in the new year.
2. Focus on Career Tasks That Don’t Require Responses
While many professionals pause for the holidays, you can use this time productively by focusing on career activities that don’t rely on others’ availability.
Research Your Marketplace: Dive deep into industry trends, company profiles, and the skill sets in demand. This knowledge will give you an edge and put you on the front foot when opportunities arise.
Polish Your Resume and Online Presence: Update your LinkedIn profile, refine your CV, or create a portfolio highlighting your proudest achievements.
Expand Your Learning: Take an online course, read industry-relevant books, or attend webinars (likely recorded) to strengthen your expertise.
Plan Networking for the New Year: Draft messages and identify key people you’d like to connect with in 2025, so you’re ready to reach out when everyone returns to work.
By tackling these independent tasks, you’ll create great momentum while making peace with the slower pace of external responses during the holidays, putting you in a great position to start the new year.
3. Build a Strong 2025 Plan
As the year winds down, take a step back to reflect on your journey and prepare for a powerful start to 2025.
Conduct a Personal SWOT Analysis: Identify your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Use this tool to assess where you excel and where you can improve. Write relevant actions against ALL areas and put them in your 2025 goals.
Set Actionable Goals for 2025: Define what you want to achieve next year from a career AND personal perspective, whether it’s landing a specific role, mastering a new skill, or losing those dreaded kilos and prepping for a 10k.
Review What Went Well and What Could Be Better: Celebrate your wins and learn from your challenges to refine your approach.
Craft a Bold “Out of the Gates” Plan: Outline your first steps for January—whether it’s attending a networking event, launching a personal project, or following up on job leads.
This reflection and planning will give you clarity, focus, and confidence as you step into the new year with purpose.
Conclusion: Build Yourself Up, Be Present, and Recharge
The holiday season is a time to focus on what truly matters: your well-being, your relationships, and your goals. By prioritising joyful moments with loved ones, using the market slowdown to focus on independent career tasks, and setting yourself up for a powerful 2025, you’ll not only allow you to relax and enjoy the season but also emerge stronger and more prepared for your career quest.
Call to Action
This holiday season, take time for yourself, cherish your connections, and plan for a future that excites you. Reflect, recharge, and set your sights on making 2025 your best year yet!
Wishing you joy, growth, and success this holiday season and beyond!
Yours Always!
Bob
