Question:

When I returned to work last week after my annual three-week vacation, I stopped in the break room for coffee. To my surprise, my colleagues’ conversations were not focused on the elections, as they were before I left. Instead, my colleagues were excited about “goals” and “results.”

“What’s new?” I asked a colleague, and he told me that he and his colleague had heard about the “October Theory” on TikTok and were excited. They wrote a memo and sent it to all Slack employees. Almost everyone in our office decided to participate. I went on Slack myself and read his message and everyone’s responses.

It all started the day I went on vacation. They have all been there for several weeks already. I’m curious if there’s any “special magic” to starting something like this in October or if November works.

Answer:

Early November is an ideal departure time. The end of Daylight Saving Time reminds us of the dwindling light of winter and the need to make every hour of our work and life count. As you’ve seen in your company’s break room, the “October Theory” concept of selecting a goal you care about and achieving it provides a welcome boost of energy that allows you to Head into winter with something to look forward to.

Unlike the open promises many make with New Year’s resolutions, the question “What will you do over the next two (or three) months to move your life forward?” » The question succeeds because a short time frame allows us to focus more on what is achievable.

Here’s how to get started:

What do you want to change or be different in your professional life? Create a better work/life balance? Find a new job? Start a side hustle? Set clear limits for working hours? Learn a new skill or software that will advance your career? Declutter your office? Choose an area that matters to you.

Next, name a specific goal that you can realistically achieve in eight weeks. What are you willing to do to achieve this goal? What could possibly bother you? How can you overcome this obstacle? Once you’ve planned your game, define one to eight steps you can take to make your goal a reality by the end of the year. Then make it happen: open your calendar and decide on at least one action you will take today or tomorrow.

Then, let your colleagues know what you have planned. By “going public,” you create accountability under peer pressure and make it harder to refrain from doing the work necessary to achieve your goal. Create a visual reminder of your goal and place it in at least two places, such as your computer desktop or a recurring Outlook message. Frequently accessed reminders combat the problem of losing sight and mind. You’ve been lucky to work in an office where many are committed to growing professionally at the end of the year, and their enthusiasm can fuel yours. This is part of what made the TikTok October Theory experiment so successful.

What happens if real life gets in the way and you can’t accomplish one of the action steps you put on your calendar? Do it the next day. Planning includes evaluating your progress and making necessary changes.

Although TikTok made a splash with its #OctoberTheory hashtag, it doesn’t matter when you commit to a new goal; it is important that you start. You can improve your professional life every month. You are the author of your life, so what are you waiting for? Get started today.