2025 is here! A clean slate, a fresh start, and an ideal time to break old habits and pick up some new ones.
Perhaps you’ve made a commitment to walk more or spend less time on your phone. Or maybe you want to invest in a new hobby or save for a special purchase. But have you thought about the changes you can make this year to grow your career?
Now is the perfect time to establish habits that will help you progress professionally this year.
In this article, we’ll explore five habits that can set you up for work success in 2025 and beyond.
2025? More like twenty-twenty-thrive!
Capture your achievements
We’ve all been there. You see a work opportunity that’s too good to pass up, and you’re the perfect fit. But when it comes to preparing your application or for the interview, your mind goes blank – how can you prove you’re the right person for the job?
Don’t let this happen to you. Whether you’re looking to move into a new role or aiming for a promotion, keeping a record of your achievements will streamline the process, and ensure you’re in the best position possible to take advantage of a new opportunity.
Not only that, but keeping a record of things you’re proud of can be a powerful tool for self-motivation, too.
There’s a few different ways to document your professional achievements. You might like to jot things down in a journal, the Notes app on your phone, or in a spreadsheet. However you do it, just remember to set aside some time regularly to make a note of what you did, the outcomes, and how you learnt from the experience.
Prioritise learning
Lifelong learning is essential. Keeping your skills up to date (and learning new ones) improves the quality of care you provide, increases job satisfaction and unlocks new opportunities for growth.
Make 2025 the year you prioritise learning, with a little help from FuturU. We offer a wide range of social care courses, many of which are CPD-accredited and accessible anytime, anywhere via your desktop, tablet or smartphone.
Whether you’re looking to enhance your care skills, improve your communication abilities, or gain a new qualification, FuturU can help.
And the best part? It’s entirely free for learners.
Ask for feedback
Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback on your work. Feedback can help you identify strengths and areas for improvement, guiding your professional development.
Asking for feedback from colleagues and patients can also help you tailor your approach to individual needs and preferences, and enable you to care with empathy and compassion.
By actively welcoming feedback, you can improve your communication with others, who’ll be more comfortable sharing how they’re feeling with you, and be more open to your feedback too.
Here’s how to ask for feedback:
Ask the right people
Seek feedback from individuals around the organisation, not just your manager. Consider asking teammates, mentors and patients.
Stay focused
The more specific your request, the more impactful the feedback you’ll receive. Try to ask for feedback on a specific task, or area where you’re aiming to improve.
Welcome constructive feedback
Embrace all feedback as an opportunity to learn and grow, however difficult it may be to hear in the moment. If you’re not satisfied with the feedback you receive – for example, because it isn’t actionable – don’t hesitate to ask them to elaborate further.
Follow up
After receiving feedback, take some time to reflect and think about what you can do to act on it. Set specific goals to work towards, and remember to check back with the person that gave you feedback to ensure you’re on track.
Focus on your wellbeing
Caring for others requires self-care, too. Taking care of your physical and mental health is crucial for a successful career in care.
Get enough sleep, eat nutritious meals and exercise regularly to recharge your body and mind. Try practising mindfulness techniques like meditation and deep breathing to reduce stress and anxiety, and make time for hobbies that help you relax and unwind.
Setting boundaries is crucial. Avoid overcommitting yourself inside and outside of work, and learn to say no to additional responsibilities when you’re already feeling overwhelmed.
Remember, you can’t pour from an empty cup – take care of yourself so you can continue to care for others.
Set goals
Stay focused and motivated by setting some clear and realistic career goals for 2025 and beyond. Focus on what will really move the needle in your career, rather than everyday tasks you know you need to get done. What skills, knowledge and experience do you need to progress? Start planning your goals from here.
The SMART goal framework can really help you do this. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound.
Here’s how to use this framework to set goals:
Specific – Start by clearly defining what your goal is.
Measurable – Think about how you can measure your progress towards your goal.
Achievable – Consider how achievable your goal is. Could it be broken down into smaller, more manageable tasks?
Relevant – Think about how your goal aligns with your overall career aspirations, as well as the demands of your current role.
Time-bound – Set yourself a deadline to keep yourself motivated and on track.
Read more: How to create a learning habit →
Adopt these five habits to grow your career in 2025 and beyond. Remember, building new habits takes time and effort, so be patient with yourself. With persistence and dedication, you can make this year your best yet.
