At Shaw Search Partners, we like many others, had a very unique 2020. Last year, many of our daily routines shifted in dramatic ways, from remote working and virtual schooling, to at-home workouts.

Of course, the recruiting world changed as well — as many companies shifted to a permanently remote workspace. Now, if you have your eye on a role in Boston, New York, or Providence, the odds are that there will, at the very least, be increased flexibility around working from home in the future.

It’s clear that the effects of social distancing were vast and wide, on personal and professional levels. Therefore, as we step into 2021 we wanted to offer five non-traditional resolutions to help you avoid burnout and honor the challenging year we just wrapped up.

Send Snail Mail

We’re all wired for connection and miss visiting and socializing with friends and family. Snail mail is a great way to stay in touch with your network and keep the lines of communication open. For bonus points, try to support a local small business when purchasing your notecards. We love Guss and Ruby Letterpress; you can look for their shops in downtown Boston, Portsmouth and Portland and online, of course. We also love Chris Carr Ink, a Rhode Island small business that features “Corwin cards.” Corwin cards have a give love, get love mentality and who couldn’t use that sentiment after this year?!

Begin a remote-focused job search for your next marketing position

Yes, this is the year. If you’ve been dreaming of relocating, or have always wanted to work for a company that’s not located where you live, the rules of the game have all changed. Dream big, and stay open to a whole new job market that’s now right at your fingertips. Shaw Search Partners can help you figure out your 2021 career game plan, including landing a remote role.

Focus on getting outdoors

With a lot more time on screens, and the colder weather hitting in New England, it’s easy to be tempted to stay cozy indoors and fire up another Netflix show. However, now more than ever, we need the fresh air, physical activity and connection to nature to help combat increased stress and promote mindfulness.

Take back your lunch break

Whether your lunch break time has been allocated to helping children with remote learning, or getting a leg up on a few chores while working from home, make it a commitment in 2021 to take back your midday pause and eat a balanced meal. Sometimes, this can make all the difference for how we face the second half of the day.

Develop a Gratitude Practice

Perhaps this resolution is considered “conventional,” but given this past year, finding gratitude may not feel as natural as it usually does. Start a gratitude jar with your family, or create a gratitude folder in your inbox at work. You will be surprised when you start to look at how many meaningful moments you experience each day that make you feel truly grateful.

There are obvious lessons in the year 2020. As we move forward into 2021, if you’re planning to take what you’ve learned this last year and apply it towards a career change, contact us at Shaw Search Partners. Here’s to 2021!