With the onset of a new year comes the tradition of reflecting upon the past year and making goals for the next. Most people do not give this process sufficient thought and consideration.
Take some time now to invest in this process, and to reap the rewards that thoughtful reflection and planning can offer.
First, take a look at the past year, and your accomplishments at work and in your life. If you had a challenging and pressure-filled year, it may feel as if it was all a blur, or that you merely survived the storm. That’s why slowing down and taking a good look at your career is even more necessary at this time.
Some people will avoid this essential step because they do not want to be reminded of what they perceive as “failures.” But remember this: the business cultures of today, unfortunately, are overly focused on seeing what hasn’t been done or done well, focusing mostly on the negatives.
Reviewing your past year is a time to acknowledge those less-than-perfect aspects, but more importantly, to bring to the forefront the myriad accomplishments that you may have forgotten, undervalued or taken for granted.
This is the best time not only to think about, but also to document those accomplishments for several reasons. First, it will give you a more positive perspective heading into the new year to see that you really did accomplish more than you first thought.
Secondly, it will let you plan more effectively for what you would like to accomplish for this coming year. Thirdly, having your successes, contributions and accomplishments written down can be extremely helpful when it comes time for your performance review, a potential promotion, or if you need to update your resume.
Now, after reflecting back on this past year, it is time to look forward. What goals will you set for yourself in 2011? It has been said that a goal that is not written down is merely wishful thinking.
Setting a goal – a well defined goal – means that you will have an end result in mind that is specific and measurable. It also means that you will establish a time frame in which to accomplish that goal. Don’t worry if you aren’t 100 per cent confident that you can make that time frame. You can adjust this as you go. Just know that your goal has a greater chance of success if you choose a date of completion.
The next step is to declare this plan with another person, someone you trust. It could be your boss, a co-worker, spouse or close friend. Declaring your goals and intentions to someone who cares about your success will enable them to help you stay on track and be accountable to yourself. This person can serve as a coach to you, checking in with and encouraging you along the way.
The final step is to recognize and celebrate each of your goals once they have been attained. All too often, one goal is reached and we promptly establish or reach for another, without taking adequate time to acknowledge or reward ourselves for the accomplishment. Celebrate your successes and feel the positive energy it will bring to your career and your life in the upcoming year.
