Each month, career coach Liz Bentley answers candid questions about work.

The New Year is a great time to reset. Especially if you finished 2019 feeling burned out, exhausted, and relieved to be done. For many like you, it may not have been the best of times; 2020, onward and upward.

Before we can take any tips, we must first understand that change is the root cause of exhaustion. In reality, change is and will continue to be the only constant in our lives. As we have all experienced, sometimes painfully, change is what makes us step out of our comfort zone, pivot, and grow. While all of these words sound good and we have heard them repeatedly over the past decade, change is now widespread and has a profound impact on our daily lives. From the state of our families and relationships to shifting industries and rethinking the way we do business, change is hitting us on many deep levels. We are in the midst of change because when we are in the midst of change, we feel insecure about our future. What used to work before is no longer working. The race for relevance makes people feel that time is running out and can cause fear and, sometimes, confusion as companies, products, and people try to survive in this competitive environment. The result is impatience, short tempers, long hours (not always productive), and a feeling that they must be in 24/7 response mode in a world that is connected 24/7.

Here's how to prepare for the 2020 rally with a fresh and inspired outlook in the midst of all this market turmoil.

1. be comfortable being uncomfortable.

Change is hard, and so is growth. Stop fighting it. Recognize that it is easier to shift than to resist. We will never have all the answers, but each day we find a piece of the puzzle that will open up a new path to the future. So be the scientist who constantly studies what is working and what is not. And lean toward the positive and away from the negative to lead yourself and your team to success and small victories. Be curious and open to new possibilities. Being comfortable with discomfort will keep you motivated for this important work.

2. Change your mindset.

It can be difficult. Accept the status quo and be prepared to grow or become irrelevant. Adjusting your thinking can actually help you relax. Waiting to get better leads to constantly wondering if you are in the wrong place instead of realizing that you are exactly where you need to be.

3. Have faith.

Have faith that with due diligence, hard work, and integrity, we can find our way to a productive outcome. Faith helps us live in uncertainty. Faith is necessary for us to believe in ourselves and our work, and it keeps us grounded in difficult times.

4. Know and shift your truth.

In our work as scientists of life and business, we see and shift the truth of what is working and what is not working. We don't just look, we move and do something with the new information. Feedback has been in vogue for the past decade, but the next decade will be about not just hearing it, but doing something with it. Get over the sting of defeat and figure out how to adjust for victory.

5. manage your energy.

You are a machine that gets it done. Hard work and output are more valuable than ever, so you need to manage your energy. First, get enough sleep. Sleep recharges your brain and restores your body so you can get the most out of each day. Second, do work that leads to results. Reorganizing your inbox is a waste of time and will not lead to the discoveries necessary for success. Say "yes" to things that help you grow, help others and yourself, and encourage success. Say "no" to those things that don't help you grow.

6. Have an outstanding work ethic.

This means discipline. You need discipline to work hard at the right job. Hard work is not to be underestimated. It's so easy to binge watch Netflix or jump on social media when you have a mountain of work to do. Staying focused will pay big dividends in the long run.

7. Forgive yourself for your imperfections.

You will get things wrong, make mistakes, and struggle. That is normal, so get over it. Everyone double faults on match point, even the best tennis players in the world. Recovery is about forgiving yourself so that you can get right back up and succeed. Blaming yourself for mistakes is not honorable, but mistakes need to be corrected.

2020 could be your best year ever, but only if you embrace growth. Don't be afraid, move forward with courage, refocus your energies, and show your strength.

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