6 Ways to Sustain Success After a Breakthrough Year was originally published on Ivy Exec.
A breakthrough year can feel like everything in your career is finally coming together. You meet your goals, earn recognition from your boss and peers, and perhaps a promotion. Your progress also becomes visible, and you get more authority in the workplace.
But while the breakthrough may feel rewarding, you may wonder if you’ll be able to sustain it and live up to the expectations.
Here are strategies to help you stay on track after a standout year.
1️⃣ Celebrate and Reset Your Goals
Celebrating your achievements will build confidence and remind you that your hard work matters. Share the win with your team and loved ones, and enjoy what you earned.
Then, after the celebration, reset and evaluate what helped you succeed. Was it better time management or a strong support system? Did you try something new or learn a skill that helped you do your job better?
Asking yourself such questions will allow you to determine the strategies you need to retain in the future. If, for example, a new skill helped you be more efficient, try to find new ways to work smarter. On the other hand, if your success results from collaborating with peers, keep working with them.
While it’s good to repeat the strategies that helped you succeed, you should also incorporate new ones. Set new goals based on your position so you can move forward with purpose. Doing so will protect your progress and set you up for another successful year.
2️⃣ Continue Learning and Improving
Success can trick you into thinking you no longer need to work hard. You may stop seeking feedback from your boss or stop learning new skills. The best way to maintain your momentum is to invest in continuous learning.
Try reading a book or an industry-related article once a week to stay updated. You may also join an online class or work with an executive coach to prepare for the next big role.
These steps will keep you active and help you stay open-minded. They might also improve your problem-solving skills and allow you to stay relevant in your field.
3️⃣ Maintain a Routine
After a big win, it may be tempting to relax and let go of the routine that helped you succeed. Unfortunately, doing so will affect your time management skills, causing tasks to accumulate.
You could also find yourself pushing aside the healthy habits you worked hard to build. Neglecting your routine may eventually cause your career to start falling apart.
While you don’t have to stick to your old schedule, you need a routine that fits where you are now. If your job now includes more meetings or travel, you may need to wake up earlier to prepare.
You might also need to set aside quiet time in the evening to catch up and plan. Regardless, ensure you create a structure to avoid stress and distractions.
4️⃣ Stick to Your Values
Once you achieve career success, many opportunities will come your way. However, not all of them will align with your core values and beliefs.
Sticking to your values will help you make wise decisions and guide you when unsure about your next move. Additionally, it makes you less likely to go in the wrong direction due to pressure or lucrative pay.
Write down your core values and place them somewhere you can see them often. Before making any big decision, review your beliefs and ask yourself if the decision reflects who you are. Doing so will help you build long-term success you can be proud of.
It also prevents you from being distracted by things that look good on the surface but don’t match your deeper purpose.
5️⃣ Protect Your Time and Energy
Being successful in your role will inspire your peers to want to collaborate with you or consult you. Your boss may also want to involve you when making high-stakes decisions or meeting a big client.
These new responsibilities may be exciting, but they will require more time. If you accept all the requests, you’ll have less time to do your job, and your output may eventually decline.
Protect your time and energy by prioritizing your work and setting boundaries. For example, you might decide not to take afternoon meetings to focus on concluding your work day. You could also work on collective projects for about two hours daily and use the rest of the time for your core duties.
Learning to turn people down politely will also help you maintain career success. If a coworker wants your help with a task, but you don’t have enough time, say no. Thank them for considering you, but mention you’ll be unable to give the task the attention it deserves
When you manage your time and energy wisely, you’ll become more productive. Further, you’ll feel less stressed and be able to handle new challenges better.
6️⃣ Take Care of Your Health
Your success won’t mean much if you aren’t healthy enough to enjoy it. Instead of pressuring yourself to keep working hard after a great year, prioritize your physical and mental health.
Once you care for your well-being, you can make good choices and enjoy your success without burning out. Here are a few simple things you can do to stay healthy:
- Get enough sleep
- Eat healthy
- Stay physically active
- Keep in touch with your loved ones
- Practice mindfulness and other calming activities
- Listen to your body
Taking regular breaks will also help you feel refreshed and productive. Pause your work every few hours to call a loved one, drink water, or step outside for fresh air. You should also take time off if you feel sick, stressed, or burned out to protect your energy and help your body recover.
Build on Your Breakthrough
A breakthrough year reflects your hard work, growth, and ability to succeed, but what you do next is the key to long-term success. Instead of letting your momentum fade, use it to propel your growth.
Reflect on your achievements, set new goals, and adjust your habits to match your current role. Keep learning, protect your time, and prioritize your health. It’s also vital to stick to your values to ensure your success feels right, not just impressive.
