If you're like most people, you have probably given some thought to New Year's resolutions and what you would like to achieve in 2006.

If you didn't gain weight over the holidays and have no vices to give up (or at least none that you want to give up), then you won't need to make traditional resolutions such as losing weight, getting in shape, or quitting smoking. But you can still resolve to improve your career.

In fact, January is the busiest time of year for career web sites, and job-hunting books fly off the shelves. It's a time to take stock of where you are in your career, and set goals for the future.

If you're underemployed or simply don't like your job, it's an ideal time to prepare for a new career. If you like your job, but feel there's room for improvement in your workplace, you can set goals to make things better. So in the spirit of a new year, here are some ideas for career resolutions for 2006.

This year I resolve to .

Decide what I want to be when I grow up. If I'm dissatisfied with my career but don't know what to do, I'll educate myself about different career choices.

Have a plan for my career. Each week I will do at least one thing to advance my career. I'll make a phone call, write a thank you letter, take someone to lunch, or do something else that will help me move towards my goal. (Watching The Apprentice doesn't count.)

Volunteer for something I want experience with. I'll stop thinking or talking about what I'd do if I had more time, and just do it. I know that I can always find time for the things I really want to do.

Stand out in my company. I'll do something new this year such as volunteer for a committee, contribute articles to the company newsletter, speak up at meetings, coach the company softball team, or do something else to get noticed in a positive way.

Develop myself professionally. I'll take the opportunity to attend seminars and other educational events. Even if I think the best part of the event is the food, I'll actually listen to the speakers and try to get at least one idea to use in my work.

Develop my working relationships. As well as making connections and networking with people who might be able to help me land a new job some day, I'll develop relationships with people who can make my life easier now, such as the receptionist, the boss's assistant, and the IT department.

Read some career and business books. At a minimum I'll browse the business bestsellers list at Amazon.com to keep up with which books are hot. So I'll know that when people are discussing the "8th habit" they're not referring to one of those vices I didn't want to give up for New Year's.

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