Dave Gerhardt

Yeap… it’s December… already! I swear it was just summertime and now I’m looking for Christmas gifts for the littles in the family 🎅🫣
 Well now that you have gone down your gift list and completed all of your Black Friday shopping, check out your list of set goals for the year and determine if you were naughty or nice!!
 
 Job Seekers:
 ✅ Tailored your #resume to every job announcement, and minimized the exaggeration. If the hiring manager can verify that you stretched the truth, then don’t add it.
 ✅ Search for #jobs online, and use your network to get a referral. Word of mouth can go further than a piece of paper.
 ❌ You didn’t take every “No” personally because their decision to hire someone else may have nothing to do with you. Just keep going until you get a “Yes” that you won’t regret. #donotsettle
 
 Career Professionals:
 ✅ Did you meet the annual goals set for yourself and your supervisor? If not, did you determine why not, and if in your realm to complete, will you add it to your goals for 2024?
 ✅ Did you learn a new skill? This can be a course, workshop, certification, or on-the-job training. You should be in a constant mode of learning to benefit you, and indirectly the organization. Put you first always!
 ❌ Did you set boundaries and adhere to them? Oh, and I hope you took Vacation time to go on a vacation (or staycation)!! The work will always be there but if you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be!!
 
 Entrepreneurs:
 ✅ Were you committed to your business (time, effort, and sacrifice) and scaling your business’s product/service without minimizing quality and your business’s reputation?
 ✅ Did you make a profit or gain a partnership/investment/opportunity for the future? Remember that an average start-up small business may not see a profit until 3-5 years from opening. Of course, there are the ones that start with a profit, but consider how to maintain that momentum for years to come (you may need to pivot!).
 ❌ Is your business set up properly? EIN, business plan, Operating Agreement, a separate bank account, etc. This should be the first step but if not, don’t lose your assets or your mind by not establishing your business officially/legally. Plus, you get bragging rights of owning a company, you can receive financial assistance if need be, and you can bid on government contracts (to name a few).
 
 Whatever bucket you fall in, don’t end up on the naughty list. If you didn’t meet your goal this year, make a plan for next year and take action!! Lastly, take care of yourself, your family, the people around you, your stakeholders, etc. Your goals are no good if you aren’t! ✌