Take a step back and check the long view to see if you are doing what you do best before you consider ways you can better leverage your talents in identifying new career or business paths. Next, take responsibility for your own career and map out your plan of action.

A road map helps you define a directional route or path. You could venture out on an exploratory mission to discover yourself without a road map. But, if you want a focused approach to finding your direction, there are some questions you must ask yourself.

There are some great career-focused self- improvement things to put on your "to-do" list for 2008. One of those things requires your attention to "Blackberry-mania" and how to deal with information overload.

Learning a new skill is a great way to improve yourself. You can master new software. Pursue an advanced degree. Enroll in a certificate program that is appropriate for your industry. Any of these will make you valuable to your firm and will provide you a well- deserved sense of achievement.

Check out your local colleges, extension universities, or your favorite alma mater for more information on how to "get with the program"!

Janna Santoro is blazing her own Millennial trail as a shining up-and-coming young professional. This former Managing Editor of SierraStyle Publishing is now working as a freelance writer and editor. Janna recently completed her Masters in Creative Writing at CSUS, is a part-time college instructor, and has launched her official website. Visit her website to view her Portfolio of work and learn more about this talented, outspoken and dramatic young professional - - you won't be disappointed!

Early in my corporate career, my mentor advised me that doing what is comfortable is a sure fire way to be mediocre. So it makes sense to me, that for most of my corporate career I thrived on standing near the edge - - close enough to lean over and see how far the drop was - - but . . .