RESOLVE TO EVOLVE: NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS FOR APPRENTICES

Happy New Year! January is a time for fresh starts, resetting goals, and learning from the past year. 

If you’re looking to level up your apprenticeship in 2026, making New Year’s resolutions in January is the perfect way to start the year off on the right foot. Here, we’re recommending some top ideas for resolutions, specifically tailored to apprentices. 

Get organised for success

Apprenticeships involve balancing professional responsibilities with off-the-job training, coursework, and your personal life. It’s important to make sure you have everything in order to make sure you can stay on top of all tasks and complete them to the best of your ability.

You could start by reviewing how you usually organise things and how effective it is. If you’re someone who relies on keeping a mental note of deadlines, try taking the pressure off by transitioning to a physical planner or digital calendar like Outlook or Google. Spend 10 minutes every Friday afternoon mapping out the week ahead.

Being organised isn’t just about being tidy: it can reduce stress, make you feel more in control, and make you less likely to forget tasks or end up in a rush before a deadline. Spending some time now  setting up the best system for you will ensure a calmer, more productive 2026.

Say hello to someone new

It’s important to focus on your own progress as an apprentice, but this doesn’t mean you need to work in isolation. In fact, building relationships is a key part of your professional development, and can be just as important as mastering your technical skills. It’s always a good idea to expand your professional network as widely as possible, as connections can open doors to new opportunities, valuable knowledge, and a professional support network. 

As we head back to work and training, why not make a conscious effort to widen your circle? You could start by introducing yourself to one person in a different department or at a local event. You never know what opportunities a new conversation might bring.

Master the art of switching off

When you’re ambitious, it can be easy to let your training take over your whole life. Dedication is important, but knowing when to switch off can be just as powerful a tool for progress. Taking breaks and giving your body and mind space to recover can help increase your productivity, boosting your energy levels at work, heightening your focus, and helping you avoid feeling overwhelmed. By giving yourself permission to pause, you protect your motivation, making your efforts more sustainable in the long run.

Here are a few ways you can implement this into your daily routine:

• Use lunch breaks properly
  Instead of working through lunch or spending it at your desk or site, eat lunch somewhere new or go for a short walk. A 15-minute walk can reset your brain more effectively than a 60-minute working lunch.

• Vary your pace
  If possible, alternate between more demanding tasks and lighter ones. This helps prevent mental and physical overload.
• Find a non-work hobby
  Whether it’s reading, cooking, exercising or spending time with friends, doing something you enjoy helps the brain reset.

How can I stick to my resolutions?

We’ve all been there: making New Year’s resolutions in January, and by February, forgetting what they even were. To give yourself the best chance of success, try these simple tips:

• Make your targets SMART
  Ensure your goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Instead of making a resolution to “get better at networking,” try something more SMART, like “introduce myself to three people outside my team by March.”
  
• Write down your resolutions 
  Research has shown that people who write down their goals are 42% more likely to achieve them. Keep them somewhere visible, like a sticky note on your monitor or the front page of your notebook.
  
• Don’t choose too many
  It’s best to stick to one or two resolutions, so you can really focus on putting them into practice. 

You know your apprenticeship better than anyone else. Take some time to reflect on 2025 and think about where you’d like to improve. Whether it’s confidence, communication, technical skills, or work-life balance, choosing a resolution that genuinely matters to you will make it much easier to stick to. And remember, the right mindset is the most powerful tool for achieving your goals in 2026. Good luck from the LCR BeMore team!