Making a New Year's resolution at work can help steer you in the right direction through a stormy 2009.

By David P. Willis • Business Writer • The Asbury Park Press • December 31, 2008

Jane Sandlar spent 2008 proving that the distribution system for her Asbury Park business, Ducky Life Tea, could make her money.

Now for 2009, Sandlar has a made a New Year's resolution to expand her distribution, now through farmers' markets and craft shows, and reduce her overhead costs. "I want to offer up the Ducky Life franchise for people to become distributors," she said.

Whether you have your own business or work in an office cubicle, now's the time for New Year's resolutions.

"This is the one year that New Year's resolutions pertaining to work are going to make a big difference in people's careers," said Frankie R. Francese, managing partner at Fortis Consulting Group, a Tinton Falls recruiting firm.

"In the past with such a strong job market, people in general were able to just come to (work) and conduct themselves as business as usual."

No longer.

Some resolutions can be pretty basic. "Be on time, every time, when you come to work," said Barbara Davis, owner of Barbara Davis Employment Services in Middletown. "Reliability is most important. So is being there everyday."

In fact, you might want to make a resolution to come to work about five minutes early, Francese said. "Show your employers that you are happy to be part of a team. That is how you get job security."

It's depressing to read about job losses and easy to let it leak into your work. Still, try to stay positive, said John A. Challenger, chief executive of Challenger, Gray & Christmas, an outplacement company.

"It is hard to keep forward looking and positive and hopeful . . . when you feel that your job is at risk and the situation's changing," Challenger said.

Instead, make a resolution to go to office functions and parties, he said. "You should work at having relationships around the company."

Try to cheer up your co-workers. "Work at improving your situation in the office," Davis said.

Alex Shanley, a partner at West Long Branch technology company Defined Logic, wants employees — and customers — to think about their off time this year. "We are encouraging them to go out on an adventure and take pictures."

Those pictures can then be uploaded on to the company's Web site.

One important relationship at work is the one with your boss. Make sure that connection is in good shape, Challenger said.

"If it is too distant or conflictual, it puts you at greater risk," Challenger said. "A boss doesn't want to do a layoff, but if he or she is forced to, it is just hard to let someone go that you have a good relationship with."

It's a good time to make a resolution to update your skills too, Davis said.

"This year it is going to be a little slow at the office," Davis said. "It might be good to take advantage of updating your software skills and any skills you might need later in your career and your position."

It's yet another way to improve your situation at work, Francese said. "If you spend 15 minutes a day trying to increase the knowledge that you need in order to do your job, you will be so far ahead of your peers that you will create the job security and you will probably end up liking your job better," he said.

There's more to do beyond making sure your skills are up to par. Make doing more networking a goal for the year.

These days, it's possible to lose your job through no fault of your own.

"You need to make a resolution to join and participate in outside organizations," Challenger said. "You don't want to get caught without a job and say, "I just don't know anybody. I have no contacts.' "

But once you come up with some resolutions of your own, something else is important.

"A New Year's resolution is great if you follow through with it," Davis said.

David P. Willis: (732) 643-4039, or at dwillis@app.com.