By Ron Dermady, Vice President of Operations at Hunter Crown, LLC
The first few weeks of a new year can feel like a reset button. Schedules start to normalize, inboxes begin to refill, and whether you are in the field or behind a desk, the pace of work ramps back up. While most professionals are still shaking off the holidays, the strongest performers are already making moves.
If you are serious about leveling up in 2026, whether that means growth in your current role or preparing for a career shift, now is the time to take control. Here are five simple but strategic ways to start the year with purpose.
1. Document What You Want, Not Just What You Do
Most employees wait for an annual review to reflect on performance. That is too late. Start the year by writing down what you want. This could include new responsibilities, new skills, new projects, or new roles. Be specific. When opportunities arise, you will be ready to advocate for yourself with clarity and confidence.
2. Clean Up Your Professional Brand
Update your resume. Review your LinkedIn profile. If you are in the water industry, make sure your certifications, licenses, and continuing education records are current. Do not wait until you are in job search mode. Keeping your brand sharp signals that you are intentional about your career, even if you are not actively looking.
3. Rebuild Critical Relationships
The beginning of the year is a powerful time to reconnect with the people who influence your career. Reach out to mentors, past supervisors, trusted coworkers, or recruiters you value. Send a short note, schedule a catch up call, or simply express appreciation. Relationships are not automatic. They require maintenance.
4. Study Your Company’s Direction
Most organizations enter January with updated goals, budget changes, and new project timelines. Take the time to understand where your company is headed, what your leadership team is prioritizing, and how your role aligns with that direction. Employees who understand the larger picture early in the year gain a significant edge.
5. Do Not Wait for Permission to Improve
You do not need a promotion to grow. You need intention. Find a process that needs attention and take ownership. Offer to mentor someone. Enroll in a certification or training program. Career momentum belongs to the people who act while others hesitate.
Final Thought
Most people begin the year with vague goals and low urgency. That is exactly why it is the best moment to move. If you want to be ready when new roles open, new projects launch, or new leaders take notice, the foundation must be built now.
At Hunter Crown, we work with professionals who want more than a job. They want to make an impact in an industry that matters. If that is your mindset for 2026, we are always ready to talk.