4 New Year's resolutions to help improve your work life

The new year is a great time to make improvements in all realms of your life, including your career. If you've been hoping to get more satisfaction from your workplace efforts, here are four ideas for resolutions that will improve your performance, boost your confidence and give your career a shot in the arm.

Take some time at the end of the year and the start of the new year to get your workspace as organized as possible.

• Throw away any old and unnecessary papers and files. As well, file away everything you no longer need sitting out.
• Take some time to organize pens, pencils, scissors and other office supplies so that they are easily reachable and your work environment feels calm and orderly. Also, discard any pens or markers that no longer work!
• Resolve to tidy your desk one afternoon per week in the future, spending a few minutes to keep everything neat. While you're at it, give your desk a wipe down with a damp cloth to remove any accumulated dirt. Psychologically, it'll make you feel better.

Spending a little time getting organized will save you tons of time in the long run. It makes a big, time-consuming task much more manageable when you do it regularly.

To make big strides in your career in the new year, volunteer to take on a challenge at work that scares you.

• Whether it's a responsibility that's bigger than any one you've experienced or a new skill you need to learn, taking on something that scares you will help boost your self confidence, expand your skill set and prove to your colleagues that you are competent.

Stress from work can be detrimental to your physical well-being, emotional health and can take a toll on your relationships. Therefore, in the new year, make it a goal to better handle your stress and reduce it however possible.

• Some good ways to reduce stress naturally are to exercise more, learn to meditate and get better at separating work and your personal life.
• Reducing stress also allows you to perform better at work without anxiety or jitters.

One good way to improve your skills at work, which also make you a more well-rounded professional, is to take classes in a field that's relevant to your job.

• If you work in finance, consider learning about accounting; if you work at a restaurant, take a sommelier course to learn more about wine.
• Classes are an excellent way to enrich your life, make new friends and become better at your job.

Think you're too busy for classes? Many institutions of higher learning offer a schedule geared for working people, often teaching courses at night and on weekends.