New Year, New Goals

New Year, new me.

I’m sure everyone has said that once in their lives and that is perfectly okay. You want to step into the new year with a plan in mind on how to upgrade your life and achieve the goals you have mapped out.

And you know what?

We all start off with a bang, full of energy and determination. But as time goes on, we tend to lose steam. I've been there, and I totally get it. The thing is, we often put way too much pressure on our future selves. We set these unrealistic expectations like "I'll be here by this month" or "I'll achieve that by that month." And you know what happens? It becomes overwhelming and we end up throwing in the towel.

But I’m here to fix that this year.

Here’s how:

My goal going into 2024 is to learn and get a job as a Cloud Developer.

Why?

First I have to understand why I’m pursuing this goal.

1. Interest
   Simply put, I am interested in pursuing the cloud. It has always been fascinating to me and now it’s time to put that knowledge to use. If you are not interested in your new goals, you are not going to pursue them as readily. Pick something that piques your interest.

2. High Demand
   Companies are beginning to see the light and have begun steadily to migrate their infrastructure and applications to the cloud, creating a constant need for cloud developers. I am looking at a field that is growing rapidly. And you should too!

Now that I have my reasons for pursuing this goal, I have to understand how am I going to set myself up for success when trying to pivot to this field.

1. Define Clear and Specific Goals 

   I can’t just say I’m going to learn the cloud. No, that leaning is too broad and is overwhelming. I have to break down what learning the cloud actually entails.

   1. Understand the Basics:

      Familiarize yourself with the basic concepts of cloud computing, including Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS), and deployment models (public, private, hybrid). This is just an example of how I would break down on how I would start to learn the cloud. Set yourself small goals so that they are manageable and achievable.

2. Job Training

   Now, you might not have a job but if you do, use this resource. I am going to go to my manager and ask them if they have opportunities for me to explore and learn the cloud. I will outline for them that this is one of my career aspirations and goals. Put yourself out there and make sure you ask for what you want!

3. Build

   This is self explanatory. If you want to excel, you will have to build. This is what I will do. I will have my own projects on the side that will utilize cloud so that I can learn on my own time, without any outside pressures.

Lastly, how am I going to keep this up.

1. Practice Self-Care

   There are 365 days in the year. You can’t squeeze one day into a year. And you should understand that. You are not going to want to learn everyday and nor should you. You need rest, and that is okay. If you take a day or a week off. That’s okay. You’ll need to recharge so that you can start fresh with the goals you are pursuing. I am not going to burn myself out. I am taking it one day at a time. And so should you. Remember, balance is key for sustained success!

As we step into 2024, I encourage you to adopt a proactive approach toward your goals. While my strategy might not fit everyone, the core principles of setting realistic goals, leveraging resources, and practicing self-care can be universally applied.

Remember, this year is yours to conquer. Triumph over your aspirations, accomplish your goals, and transform into the remarkable individual you envision. Let's make 2024 a year of growth, learning, and success!