How well known are you in your field? Locally? Regionally? Nationally? Internationally? With the advent of the internet, broad band multi-media and their impact on global communications, you could become a "household name ? and "thought leader ? in your field no matter where you live or work. Write and publish articles and press releases. Speak at seminars, workshops and conferences. Participate in online forums and discussion groups. Starting a blog, putting up a website, or writing and publishing an online newsletter or a book will all aid in getting your name "out there ?, known and recognized. Answer "yes ? or "no ? to each of the following points, then get to work on the "NOs ?. Forget "New Year's Resolutions ?, just Do it! Print this article out and use it as an action plan outline for jump-starting your career this year.

Do you currently:

Write and publish articles and essays in your field? Jot down three article or essay ideas here now:

A.

B.

C.

Write and publish press releases? List three accomplishments which could be used in press releases:

A.

B.

C.

Have a personal website? Give two quick ideas you use on your own free website:

A.

B.

Have an industry-related blog? What some ideas, articles, notes, etc. that you could post on your own blog?

A.

B.

C.

Publish or subscribe to a career-related newsletter? Subscribe to at least two newsletters in your field. Write their names and online addresses here:

A.

B.

Participate in online forums and discussion groups related to your work? Note three forum / discussion boards of interest below:

A.

B.

C.

Have you written a book in your field of expertise? Everyone has at least one good book in them. What might yours be about? Jot down some quick ideas here now:

A.

B.

C.

Do you speak or present at career-related conferences, workshops or seminars? List the dates, places, and themes of three or four upcoming seminars, workshops or conferences:

A.

B.

C.

D.

You should have answered "yes ? or "no ? to each of the above points and identified some prospects for action in each area. Now you can get to work on the "NOs ?. Forget "New Year's Resolutions ?, just Do it! Remember to print this article out and use it as an action plan outline for jump-starting your career this year. Good luck and if you'd like additional suggestions and ideas or have a question, please feel free to e-mail me. I'll be glad to help. Just do it!

Larry M. Lynch

Larry M. Lynch is an American English Language Specialist, ELT professor, TOEFL Examiner and EFL Teacher Trainer at the Santiago de Cali University with 15 years teaching experience in Latin America, the USA and Europe. He has presented plenary sessions, seminars, workshops and teacher training sessions at numerous TEFL conferences and educational institutions and holds a post-graduate diploma in TESOL from the Trinity College ? London (UK). He also holds CELTA, DELTA and Business English teaching certifications from England, Spain and the USA and has taught EFL at the secondary, university undergraduate and post-graduate levels in Cali for the past 11 years. An active ELT academic researcher and prolific author, he has more than 340 current articles, presentations, academic papers, books, reference works, workshops and publications related to TESOL or English language-learning & acquisition worldwide along with extensive experience in Testing, CALL, curriculum review and course development including development of alternative methods of evaluation and assessment online and using multi-modal didactic techniques.