Career Talk Blog | Gift Yourself to be Your Professional Best

Gift Yourself Career Essentials

I love nothing more than finding the perfect gift for someone on my Christmas list!  And my family finds me little things they know I love.  But the things I really need to be my best at work and school; I gift myself.  Here’s a short list…

 

Technology.

Is it time to upgrade? The New Year is the perfect time to sync your calendars, clean up your contacts, and upload the latest and greatest apps for your lifestyle.  A new phone or techy-type watch is a fresh start (camera upgrade is a bonus too). Gifting yourself technology is more like gifting yourself organization.  You will be a more efficient employee or student with your life responsibilities laid out in the palm of your hand or around your wrist.

 

Wardrobe.

We’ve all done it — school or work assignments from home in pj’s. There is nothing better and, yes, there is a possibility I am writing this is my winter flannels. But seriously, the opportunity to make a first impression is right around the corner — be prepared.

It is so hard to find something that fits right, looks nice and is in your budget at the last minute. So gift yourself an outfit for an interview, important presentation, or intern luncheon. Also, buy clothes based on your field of interest. MyCAA-approved military spouse training program options are listed here.

For instance, if you plan to be a medical professional, stock up on holiday scrubs when they go on sale after the holidays. You will shine in 2019 and your peers will notice.

 

Read.

Gift yourself a book or trade magazine subscription. And then reward yourself the time to enjoy it! If you look on the New York Times bestseller list you can find a top-rated read on just about any subject. There is nothing like a good book to make you fall in love with your line of work even more, or all over again. Professors and management will always notice if you are vocalizing ideas from content that is not required reading.

You don’t have to spend too much to treat yourself either — that’s not the idea. Just choose something that will make you shine at school or at work.

The bottom line is to invest in yourself this holiday season!  You deserve it.  Do you!