A former Google executive shares tips for work success in 2025, emphasizing the importance of the right skills and strategies.

Jenny Wood, who spent nearly 18 years at Google, now focuses on helping people grow their careers through her weekly newsletter, Big Small Things, and her upcoming book, "Wild Courage," set to release in March 2025.

"As she progressed from entry-level to executive, she made numerous mistakes, regretting the actions she didn't take and some of the actions she did take, which were cringe-worthy."

Wood offers some tips for achieving success in 2025.

Figure out your 'Baltics' and your 'Boardwalks'

Determine which tasks and projects will have the greatest impact, just as in Monopoly, you must decide "which are your Baltics in 2025 and which are your Boardwalks," says Wood.

Wood states that taking notes for every team meeting or arriving early to help decorate for an office party are not beneficial to one's professional growth. On the other hand, increasing a given metric by 20% or volunteering to drive a reorg and present it to leadership are valuable contributions that will help move both the individual and the company forward.

Write two to three personal Boardwalk goals for the first quarter of 2025.

Ask your boss for what you want

Second, Wood recommends asking for what you want to do next year.

Your company is currently working on two initiatives, vanilla and chocolate ice cream. Despite hoping to be assigned to the vanilla team, you were placed on the chocolate team. It may seem counterintuitive, especially if you're just starting out in your career, but don't be afraid to speak up and advocate for yourself, she advises.

I'd love to work on vanilla ice cream," she says. "I appreciate the stakeholders on that project. It's a departure from the chocolate ice cream I've been working on for the past three years. I'm eager to learn new skills and try something different.

She says that pushback indicates you're a risk-taker, which is what gets you promoted.

Determine your objectives for 2025 and schedule a meeting with your boss to discuss them before the year ends.

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