How To Make 2026 Your Skills-Based Glow-Up Year
We often hear about physical glow-ups in the new year, but if you’re an ambitious woman planning to take your career to the next level, finding ways to boost your skills is a must. Upgrading your skills this year isn’t just about learning more. It’s about learning the right things and building a strategy that fuels your confidence, career stability, and earning power.
According to a World Economic Forum survey, 39% of core skills are projected to change by 2030, and 59% of the workforce will need training to keep pace with technological shifts like AI, automation, and digital fluency.
Here’s how to get started in enhancing your skills, unapologetically excelling, and elevating your career journey:
1. Write Down Your Current Skills And Set Clear Targets.
As the common saying goes, you can’t know where you’re going if you don’t know where you’ve been. Tap into those 2025 performance reviews, take a few assessments, and use journal prompts to pinpoint the amazing skills you already bring to the table.
Then, look at job descriptions for positions you want to pursue in the next six to 12 months and note the common skills, credentials, and duties between them. Determine any gaps in skills or training that you might need to develop and group them into technical (ie, data literacy, tech proficiencies, or certifications) and soft (ie, sales, leadership, and team-building) categories.
2. Tap Into Micro-Learning To Build Momentum.
Having a college degree and past experience is great, but micro-credentials, certifications, and badges are agile ways to boost skills quickly and signal expertise to employers. Add a few courses to your calendar and make a deliberate effort to complete them. Join groups of leading peers or mentors for support.
Many major universities offer free resources for certifications and courses, like Harvard, MIT, and Yale. You can also take courses for tech, project management, and AI proficiency via platforms like Coursera, Microsoft Learn, Amazon Web Services, and Udemy.
3. Subscribe To Industry Newsletters, Connect With Thought Leaders
Not only is this a great way to remain inspired, but this lets you in on trends, industry pivots, and job opportunities that can push you forward. Building community both online and offline offers you the chance to learn from others, keep up with updates on company expansions, or find ways to better serve clients or audiences.
You can also find out about conferences, meet-ups, brunches, and other opportunities to network in order to find new partners, new ways of doing business, or new markets to target.
4. Build Or Lead Projects That Challenge You
Completing courses is valuable, but applying what you learn is what builds confidence and visibility. When you’re able to put new skills into practice, it also ensures that you can keep up with the competition, remain a valued member of teams, and confidently move on when you’ve outgrown a role or company.
You also want to be sure to document the new projects you work on this year and your specific role in bringing them to completion. Include numbers, graphics, and how you were able to build off of skills showcased on other projects.
5. Look Into Resources Offered By Your Employer
Data shows nearly 50% of organizations plan to increase investment in employee training in the coming years. During your next one-on-one, have a conversation with your manager or HR rep about a skills stipend or other training support. If your company doesn’t yet have such offerings, don’t be afraid to speak up, research a few ways you can enhance your skills, and sell why the return on investment is worth it.
By committing to clear growth actions and leaning into skill building, you’re not just surviving the future of work; you’re shaping it. Let 2026 be the year you make your most strategic, intentional, skills-based glow-up yet.
