9 Work New Year’s Resolutions for 2025

Personal New Year’s resolutions are great, but have you thought of your work New Year’s resolutions for 2025? Most of us spend about a third of our lives at work, so positive changes made in the workplace are bound to have an effect on other aspects of our lives.

As we ring in 2025, it is the perfect time to focus on what improvements can be made going forward whether you are in the office, working from home, or doing a hybrid of both. In order to work productively and efficiently there must be a healthy balance between your work life and personal life. Below we’ve highlighted some great ideas for New Year goals for work in 2025:

9 Work New Year’s Resolutions for 2025

1. Tidy Up

Whether you work from an office desk or from a home office space, it is important to start 2025 by tidying up. Put away or dispose of last year’s notes, documents, and paperwork. Anything you think you might need, save a digital copy of it on your drive/server. You’ll be surprised at how good you feel afterward. Getting rid of office clutter is a rewarding, fresh start to the new year. A decluttered and innovative workspace helps you be more productive and declutters your brain as well. If anything, make this one of your top work New Year’s resolutions.

2. Improve Work-Life Balance

The importance of work-life balance can be expressed in Irish novelist Maria Edgeworth’s old saying:

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,
All play and no work makes Jack a mere toy.

In other words, you can’t have one without the other. A life with only work is unenjoyable, and a life with only play is unfulfilling. Everyone’s idea of work-life balance is different, but achieving work-life balance generally means that you’re able to complete your work duties without spending more than your allotted 40 hours per week. If you find that you’re spending late nights at work, it may be time to rethink your work duties and talk to your manager about responsibilities.

We asked our employees what their goals for the new year at work were, and an overwhelming majority said work-life balance. Remote work especially can be draining according to our Virtual Assistant Lara Campagnolle:

Working from home means my professional space overlaps with my personal one—I see work reminders constantly, which makes it hard to mentally unplug. To address this, I’m focusing on creating clear boundaries, such as designating specific areas of my home for work and silencing notifications outside of working hours.

3. Take A Lunch Break Every Day

When there are important deadlines due or last-minute changes to a project needed by end of the day, preparing and eating a healthy lunch usually gets put on the back burner. Oftentimes, many employees will not even take lunch due to their busy schedules. It is even more difficult stepping away as an employee working remotely, but that is where work-life balance comes into play. 

According to a survey conducted by Tork, employees who take a lunch break every day score higher on a number of engagement metrics compared to those who do not take regular lunch breaks. That is why this year, it is important you schedule out time every day to step away from work and enjoy lunch. If you are a manager, consider enforcing a mandatory lunch break for your employees to ensure they are taking the mid-day break they need. And even if you don’t feel like eating lunch, go for a walk, just take a break! 

4. Go Above and Beyond

The position you hold could potentially grow into something bigger and better. One of the most important New Year’s resolutions ideas to consider is to push yourself at work. Do the extra projects you wouldn’t normally do. Small tasks will add up fast and make you look like a new and improved employee and possible promotions could be on the horizon. As a leader, you can go above and beyond for your team as well. Remember to set goals and hold yourself to the same standards as your employees.

Set achievable new year work goals for yourself. For example, if you often don’t speak up in meetings, try to make it a point to do so. If you feel you speak too much, maybe encourage others to offer their thoughts more often.

5. Learn a New Skill

Whether it’s mastering a new software, honing leadership abilities, or improving communication, learning new skills keeps work engaging and sets the stage for greater success for both you and your company. This New Year’s resolution idea is perfect if you’re looking to advance in your career or make the jump to a different position! Consider adopting transferable skills that are useful in many positions such as technological skills, communication skills, and more. Our Creative Director of TeamBondingCSR, Baylee Goldstein explains her professional resolution for the new year:

Improving my speech skills has been an ongoing goal, and in 2024 I took a stand-up comedy class to learn about pacing, audience engagement, and the power of pauses. Strong communication will help me present ideas more effectively, engage clients, and lead with confidence. This year, I plan to refine these skills further by seeking feedback and studying skilled speakers to enhance my delivery.

Looking to improve your public speaking skills like Baylee? Teamprov is a great choice for teams to grow comfortable speaking in front of groups!

6. Improve Time Management Skills

Employees who can learn to prioritize tasks, set realistic deadlines, and minimize distractions can work more efficiently and achieve their goals with greater ease. Incorporating effective time management techniques into your work routine can lead to a better work-life balance, improved focus, and the ability to tackle projects without feeling overwhelmed. Make it a goal for the new year by setting aside dedicated focus time and creating small daily goals to accomplish work efficiently. While there are numerous time management strategies available, consider using artificial intelligence to streamline everyday tasks and make them quicker and easier. Nancy Fitzgerald, our Controller, is embracing this approach as her professional resolution for 2025:

“I am hoping to integrate more automation into the accounting department to make my life easier.”

Building deeper connections with coworkers is another valuable goal for the new year. By engaging with colleagues on a personal level, sharing experiences, actively listening, and reaching out more frequently, employees can foster a positive and supportive workplace culture. This can lead to enhanced teamwork, problem-solving abilities, and overall productivity.

Planning employee activities for your team is also essential for fostering a strong bond among team members. Whether it’s organizing lunch outings, holiday parties, community service events, fun activities, or corporate retreats, team-building activities can help your team grow together and strengthen relationships.

Maintaining a positive attitude and outlook at work can significantly impact the overall mood and productivity of the workplace. By focusing on mental and physical wellness and celebrating even the smallest successes, you can create a more uplifting and optimistic work environment. Your positive energy can inspire and motivate your coworkers to make positive changes as well.

As you set your goals for the new year, consider incorporating some of these resolutions into your work routine. By focusing on time management, building connections with coworkers, planning team activities, and maintaining a positive attitude, you can set yourself up for a successful and fulfilling year ahead. And remember, TeamBonding offers a variety of team-building activities to help you achieve your 2025 resolutions in a fun and engaging way. Let’s make the new year a memorable and productive one together!