A very early Happy Labor Day to everyone! It’s another holiday in the COVID-19 world and we’ll all do our best to incorporate a sense of normalcy as we celebrate with those we love and like. Bring on the smoky barbeque, yummy desserts, and fireworks!
But as we enjoy another holiday, I suggest we establish a new tradition – Labor Day resolutions. Just like New Year’s resolutions, which focuses on ways to improve life and achieving new goals, Labor Day resolutions can channel positive practices in our professional lives.
It’s a perfect way to celebrate, once you consider the history of Labor Day. The holiday honors workers, which is very important because we didn’t always appreciate the workers in this country very much.
In the late 1800s, at the height of the Industrial Revolution in the United States, the average American worked 12-hour days and seven-day weeks in order to eke out a basic living. Despite restrictions in some states, children as young as 5 or 6 toiled in mills, factories, and mines across the country, earning a fraction of their adult counterparts’ wages.
Courtesy of History.com
So while we have gotten away from having our children enter the workforce so early, Americans still work crazy hours and women still do not have equality when it comes to receiving a fair wage, or decent maternity leave. At this point, childcare isn’t given the respect it deserves. And most times we are not thinking about our futures, we’re just grinding along for a paycheck.
let’s establish new goals and get a new outlook!
Here are some possible Labor Day resolutions to jumpstart your career and think about the future.
Sharpen Your Skills
There are many courses available online where you can improve your current expertise. Check out LinkedIn Learning, an online educational platform where you can learn business, technology-related, and creative skills via expert-led course videos. The platform makes recommendations based on your industry and the skills mentioned in your profile. Watch the courses on your computer or cell phone and earn a certificate upon completion. Users have the option of paying for the service monthly at $29.99 per month or annually at $239.88 per year. If those options are too steep for your budget, LinkedIn does offer some free courses that can be beneficial to your career.
Get Certified
Certifications aren’t only for doctors, engineers, and the like. There are plenty of certification programs that don’t require years of learning to achieve. For example, the Society of Marketing Professionals offers the Certified Professional Services Marketer (CPSM) certification to experienced marketers who have 4-6 years of experience in marketing or business development for firms providing professional services.
Consider Becoming an Entrepreneur
Many people want to start their own business but aren’t sure where to start. Starting your own business is a daunting challenge that can be exciting and rewarding. If you have a great idea or have spent years providing a service as a sideline and want to establish a business around it, now is the time to take the plunge into becoming a business owner. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) can help you get started by providing workshops, resources, and a mentor to walk you through the process.
Feeling inspired? I would love to hear your ideas for a great Labor Day resolution. Share them with me below.
The Workin' Mama 