Another year is in the books and it's time to start 2012 off with a bang! What we mean by that is, it's time to make the proper investments into your career to enhance your life for the better. There are many ways to start fresh and invest in your future and it starts with reflecting on your previous year. Looking back in the previous year to determine if you've improved yourself, made more money, got better or even changed the perspective of what you would like to do with your life will start you off on the right track.

Now that we got that out of the way, here are some investments to better yourself, your career and your future for 2012.

1. Cut the Dead Weight

Not everyone in your network is as determined as you are to making things better for the future. Don't let those people drag you down. Invest in a group of people that is smaller in size, but bigger in quality. A group that is more focused to improvement in life. The change could add value to you as a person and your career as they can give you a broader insight on the points of life that you are focused on as well.

2. Improve! (Anything)

It's as simple as that. Improve your speech, negotiation skills, presentation skills, or just improve your stature and demeanor alone. Going into business meetings or any kind of career setting with a confidence in yourself will almost assure that people around will take notice in you. Improvement in yourself means impressing others. For a career, there's nothing better than having a great stature and being able to back it up with impressive attributes. Take the time each day to run over personal notes on how to be better at something different. It doesn't take long and it's extremely effective.

3. Get Those Resources

Having the proper resources around you only improves your value, whether it is to a company or life in general. The more quality resources you have, the better. This goes back to the first investment in terms of having the determined network of people. Having someone or another company that you can rely on to come through for you when you need it most will only improve your career and future. If you're in a business that needs resources, speak up. It'll go a long way to making you look good.

4. Take Initiative

Nobody got ahead by sitting in the backdrop, and neither will you. Take initiative and become a more prominent figure in your industry. Make a mark so people within your niche will know who you are; know your name. Be active and earn the respect from others. Going out of your way to standout and make things happen will command a great respect from those in your industry. Don't just sit back and watch the others pass by, take command and learn from the greatest in your industry to learn how to get ahead; learn how to succeed.

5. Evaluate

You know exactly how well you do each day, each week, each month; taking the time to fully evaluate your performance throughout certain time periods will only help you improve during the following time period. We suggest you evaluate each month, allowing yourself time to view all successful actions or mistakes. At the end of the month, if you feel you can't improve on something on your own, know that there are always coaches to help you with life and self-discipline.

At the end of everything, these five investments are designed to improve your life, career and future for the better. Use them and grow for a great new year.

Image credit: stevendepolo on flickr