MR PORTER’s guide to rebooting your career in the New Year.

The year 2016 will for ever be remembered as the year the news went insane. But 2017 could be the year biographers tell of your career going stratospheric. Whether it’s that long-overdue promotion, launching your own business, or finally getting control of your work-life balance, here’s an expert guide on how to give your career a kick-start.

When you’ve just pulled an all-nighter finishing that new client proposal, “work-life balance” can seem like a myth found only in TED talks. But this year you can make it a reality. “Every single person has 168 hours in a week – you, me, Oprah, Theresa May,” says Mr Neil Pasricha, author of The Happiness Equation. “Think about work-life balance in terms of three buckets of 56, 56 and 56. You have a bucket for sleep (eight hours a night), a bucket for work (eight hours a day) and then a bucket for anything you like.”

To expand your third bucket, you need to set yourself limits. Mr Pasricha recommends cutting three things: choice, time and access. Find ways you can remove decisions: pick a work uniform, or eat the same breakfast every day. Time hesitating is time wasted. “There’s a reason Mark Zuckerberg only wears one kind of T-shirt,” he says. “It helps you create space to debate the high-time, high-importance decisions.” Regular routines – say, a weekly fitness class – are harder to cancel, and easier for your colleagues to plan around.

Finally, be less accessible. Limit emails to a regular window. “We found the two best regulated hours to check email are 9.00 to 10.00am and 4.00 to 5.00pm,” says Mr Pasricha. “You give the illusion of being on, but create a six-hour email-free window.” And if your boss asks, remind them that happier employees are more productive. “People think happiness comes later: do great work, get a promotion, be happy,” says Mr Pasricha. “No. It’s: be happy, do great work, get a promotion.”

You’ve smashed your targets and outshone your peers – now for the hard part. Securing a pay rise is one of the hardest conversations to have with an employer. “Often just doing your job well is not enough to get you noticed,” says Ms Sue Unerman, co-author of The Glass Wall. “Your boss is concerned largely with his or her own career, not yours.” Use this self-interest to your advantage. “A good move is to ask your boss for their help in progressing – but the way to do it is to ask him or her what you can do to help them achieve their objectives in 2017.”

When it comes to the discussion, arm yourself. Establish the market value of your skill set. What could you be earning at a competitor? Realistically, many employers are unlikely to increase your pay for existing work, so think about what new responsibilities you can take. Design yourself an ideal role and work towards it. “Do the maths on how revenue or savings generated by the position is three times the salary of the role,” says Mr Pasricha. And, if there is no budget, consider making alternative demands: flexible working, or time to spend on side projects. Above all, be clear about your intentions, and be enthusiastic. “Ask them how you can progress,” says Ms Unerman. “And make any suggestions you can about what you can do to make the business grow in the next few months.”

Maybe you’ve got a killer startup idea. Maybe you’ve always liked the idea of working in your pyjamas. Either way, starting out on your own is daunting and shouldn’t be taken lightly. “Be clear on why you want to go freelance,” says life coach Ms Holly June Smith. “Is it because you hate your colleagues? If so, a new job might be a better option.”

If you’re certain, then it’s time to get your house in order. First, you’ll need a financial buffer. Setting up takes time, and freelance income will fluctuate. “Figure out your noodle number: the smallest amount you need to pay your bills, do your work and basically live on noodles each month,” says Ms Smith. “Aim to save enough to cover at least three months of this before you go.” Start now. You can set up a company, identify a client list, build your LinkedIn profile and website, even take some early jobs, while still on the payroll.

“Don’t start too cheap,” says Ms Smith. “Clients may think this reflects the quality of your work.” You should charge about 30 per cent more than your salary day rate, but compare this with the market. When you do start, try and establish a productive routine (coffee shops seem inviting, but the costs mount up). Finally, get out of the house. Entrepreneurship is all about hustle. “Networking is absolutely vital,” says Ms Smith. “People can’t hire you if they don’t know about you.”