As we begin to wrap up 2017, now is a great time to start thinking about new things you can try in 2018. Whether in HR or in other areas in life, this is a wonderful opportunity to think about how you can share your gifts and talents in an even bigger way in 2018.
When you use your unique skills and abilities in your own way, it gives you an even greater sense of achievement and purpose. Making a difference in some way that helps others is a great way to give back to those who cross your path.
As a result, I want to share the following 5 ideas for 2018 that can benefit others, as well as give you a new energy in your HR career and in life. As you read through each of these ideas, I would love for you to think about how you can use them to share your unique abilities and talents with the world:
- Volunteer to create and/or lead a special HR presentation on a topic of interest to a special group. This could be a group of new hires, a project team, leaders or any other group you can think of. You can identify a topic that would be useful for this group and take the initiative to present the idea, determine a topic, create an engaging presentation, and implement.
- Contribute an HR article to an existing company or program communication. If there is a monthly/quarterly newsletter, magazine or other communication vehicles within the organization or program you are a part of, consider offering to write an HR-related article for an upcoming issue. For example, if there is a particular focus or theme, you can write an article that is connected to that theme from an HR perspective. Or perhaps there are other topics or a series of topics you can think of for the audience that you could write about that would be helpful.
- Connect with a social service agency that could use your HR expertise as a volunteer. There are so many programs out there to assist the needs of others. You could find an agency or program to partner with and offer to volunteer your HR expertise in a variety of ways. You could assist with their employment initiatives, job skills training programs, or presentations on a variety of topics.
- Start your own employment/career development initiative. Perhaps you already belong to an organization, church or program that has a need for training or resources that you could provide. You could partner with a few like-minded individuals and create a program that could benefit others, right where you are.
- Find free or low-cost courses to take online in an area(s) you want to learn more about. Many times we talk about things we want to do in life, but don’t always make the time to move those ideas forward. This could be a hobby you want to learn more about, a skill you want to brush up on, or something completely new you want to try. Make the time to research free or low-cost courses you can take online within the many learning platforms available. Once you find a course that you are interested in, sign up, and enjoy the journey where ever it may lead you.
I am hopeful that you will consider at least one of these ideas for 2018. If you interested in additional ideas, then I would like to invite you to receive a complimentary copy of the “21 Ways to Ignite Your HR Career Checklist”.
Inside this resource is an additional 21 ideas to help you plan for 2018 in sharing your expertise, adding new energy to your career and increasing your exposure to even greater opportunities in 2018.
Here’s to trying something new in 2018!!!
Alisa Charles is a certified HR professional (SPHR, SHRM-SCP) and has been practicing human resources for over 20 years. She is the author of “90 New Employee Orientation Ideas for Human Resources Professionals” and “Successful Mentoring in HR”, both available on Amazon. In addition to her HR background, Alisa is a certified Personal & Executive Coach and enjoys using her extensive HR experience with her coaching background to assist individuals in achieving their goals.
