New Year, New You  and New Career

New Year, New You and New Career No matter what your personal religious, political, or social views are, we can all agree on one thing 2016 was a tough year. Friends and families were pulled apart by political differences. Workers went through difficult corporate layoffs and restructurings. Violence and death appeared daily in the news.Its been rough very rough.In fact, many people are opting to take breaks from social media just to regroup. Others are refocusing on eating healthy and taking care of themselves. Theyre using their time to prepare for a better, more positive year in 2017.This is one of those times when I feel extra thankful for fresh starts. And what better way to begin again thanwith a few new years resolutions Rather than focusing on things outside of your control, its time to reflect on what is inside of your sphere of influence. As you can guess, I recommend your career be placed at the very top of your list.Your careerhas a very d irect and immediate impact on your daily life. It can affectyour financial well-being, your personal stress, and the general fulfillment you feel.Transforming Your Career in 2017Take inventory of whats working in your career and what youd like to change. Do you want to land a promotion? Would you like to make more money, work in a different industry, or live in a different city? Are you looking for better work/life balance? Would you prefer to use your strengths in a different way?Theres no right answer when it comes to deciding whats important in your career and your life. The fruchtwein important thing is to be in touch with whatmatters to you. From there, you can set goals.But dont fool yourself. Career transformation is a process. It rarely happens overnight, and its certainly not easy.First, prioritize your goals by determiningthemost important ones. Then break them down into steps. Perhaps one goal is to update your LinkedIn profile. One step might be to take a new photo anoth er step might be to add your latest job title and accomplishments.Breaking your goals down into bite-sized pieces makes them more attainable. Attaching those goals to due dates will help youhold yourself accountable.Whatever path you choose to pursue in the new year, start strong. Companies really do begin hiring in January, so dont put off the changes you want to make. Put failure out of your mind. Acknowledge that the effort is the most important part of the entire process. And dont be afraid to ask for help. Moving up in your career is rarely a goalachieved alone. It takes great managers, mentors, friends, confidants, coaches, and family members.Im certain that with a little effort and teamwork, we can make 2017 brighter all the way around.A version of this article originally appeared in theMemphis Daily News.Angela Copeland is a career coach and CEO at her firm,Copeland Coaching.