Deciding what skills and behaviors to focus on is crucial to planning for your development and career advancement. Jump-start your management career in the new year with this advice:

• Add to what you know and do. Work on learning new skills and knowledge and updating your current expertise. Look outside your current department or job for areas in your organization that are likely to grow rapidly and offer chances for advancement. Determine how you’d have to enhance your current skills to be ready for those opportunities. A lateral move may be the best route to a higher position.

• Build your career network. Networking should be an ongoing part of your career strategy. Two kinds of relationships are especially valuable. First, be sure your boss knows your career goals and is willing to share advice. Don’t wait until your annual performance review to raise the subject. Also, make contact or stay in touch with experienced peers who can mentor you in career moves. You don’t necessarily have to have formal mentoring relationships; you should have people with perspective who you can talk to.

• Stretch yourself. Be open to both challenging and seemingly mundane opportunities. Volunteering for assignments involving new products, reorganizations, or high-profile problems is one obvious way to build your reputation. Don’t overlook less dramatic roles such as coaching new or underperforming employees or representing the company in civic and charitable organizations. If your senior managers value these activities, undertaking them will heighten your visibility as contributing to your organization’s success. Finally, do your best work at your job all the time. This is the basis of your reputation and the foundation for building a better career.