Do you know someone who sets the same New Year’s resolution every single year….and every single year, they fail? Could it be that they never really stop to examine how they’re going after their goals, and why they’re failing in the first place (beyond just giving up)?
Giving Yourself a Year-End Review
Do you know someone who sets the same New Year’s resolution year after year but never seems to follow through? Maybe they struggle to examine their approach and identify why they fail. Perhaps they just give up too soon or lack a clear plan for achieving their goals. These individuals might benefit from a personal year-end review. Are you one of them? If you aim to be an Engaging Executive or just want to improve as a professional, reflecting on your successes, failures, and overall progress is crucial throughout the year. This self-assessment allows you to move forward with clarity and purpose rather than staying stagnant or going backwards.
While your boss or manager might conduct a formal review at work, taking the time to review yourself can offer a more personal and focused experience. This process helps ensure you stay aligned with your goals and aspirations rather than just your company’s objectives. As you dive into your personal year-end review, you might wonder what questions to ask yourself. This is the perfect opportunity to evaluate your growth, learning, and any changes you’ve experienced over the past year. Here are some key questions to guide your self-assessment:
Reflect on Your Progress
First, consider your accomplishments and challenges over the past year. Reflect on the goals you set for yourself at the start of the year and whether you achieved them. This can give you insight into your progress and where you may need to adjust your approach. What new skills did you acquire this year? (Perhaps you gained some insights from the Engaging Executive handbook!)
- Were you able to apply these skills to your work? What were the outcomes?
- Did you achieve any long-term goals you set for yourself? If so, what strategies helped you succeed? If not, what obstacles did you encounter?
Acknowledge Your Shortcomings
On the flip side, it’s also essential to honestly assess your challenges and areas for improvement. This can be uncomfortable, but it’s a critical part of growth.
- What could you have done differently?
- Where did you fall short?
- Why did you experience failure in those areas?
- How can you avoid making the same mistakes next year?
- Are there any failures you can overlook because they didn’t significantly impact your progress?
Maintaining an unbiased perspective on your progress is the key to a successful year-end review. This approach will help you make informed decisions about your needs and goals for the upcoming year.
Set Goals for the Future
Looking ahead to 2024, start by reviewing your goals for 2023. What worked well, and what didn’t? This reflection can inform your goals for the coming year. Use our GROW model as a guide to setting achievable and meaningful goals. People who set the same New Year’s resolutions annually yet fail repeatedly should consider changing their approach. Simply working harder won’t necessarily bring different results. You must adapt your strategies to achieve what you desire. Suppose your goals involve advancing your career, accelerating your progress in your field, gaining more influence at work, or enhancing your overall presence among colleagues.
In that case, this is the year to explore the ENGAGE model and take your success to the next level.
Create a Plan of Action
Once you’ve reflected on your year and set new goals, it’s time to create a plan to achieve them. Break your goals into smaller, manageable tasks and set deadlines for each. This will help you stay on track and measure your progress. If you use the lesson from “Instead of Vs. During” blog post, you’ll ace your goal faster.
- What steps do you need to take to achieve your goals?
- How can you hold yourself accountable for completing these tasks?
- Are there any potential roadblocks you need to anticipate and plan for?
As you create your plan, remember to be flexible and open to adjusting your approach. Life can be unpredictable, and sometimes, the best-laid plans require tweaking. Embrace the journey of self-improvement, and remember that every experience, whether positive or negative, offers a chance to learn and grow.
Conclusion
In conclusion, conducting a personal year-end review can be a powerful tool for achieving your goals and advancing your career. By reflecting on your past achievements and challenges, setting new goals, and creating a plan of action, you can set yourself up for success in 2024 and beyond. So, take the time to invest in yourself and watch your professional and personal growth soar! Read Learning Facts vs. Behavioural Change to learn the practical strategies for learning new personal growth skills.