Year End Review

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As a life coach, I have found accountability to be a powerful motivator. As we wind down the year, many of us have the chance to step off the proverbial hamster wheel and get out of our daily routines. Take this opportunity to do a personal year end review using some of the tools we have been discussing over the last few weeks. Once you come to what you would like to accomplish, share it with someone that will hold you accountable.

Begin by taking inventory of your life. Are you happy with your work situation? Do you like what you do most days? Do you think you are compensated fairly for the work you do? When you look at your home life, do you feel like things are going well? Is your social life satisfying? Have you been doing the necessary things you need to do in order to maintain your health? Are you happy with the “material things” in your life?

Acknowledge what is going well. Take notice of any improvements you have experienced over the past year. Take a moment to appreciate the wins you have had and for the good things in your life.

Next, examine potential areas of development in each of the areas we outlined above. Compare where you would like to be in each with where you are now. What would have to happen for you to reach the point where you’d like to be? Do you have the ability and willingness to influence the situation? What action could you take to exert your influence?

Assume you have been in a position at work for a while (where you are now). The next step up the ladder means more responsibility and represents a 30% boost in income (where you would like to be). You are qualified and have a strong desire to take it on (you have the ability and willingness).

What action could you take to exert your influence? You could request a meeting with the hiring manager and ask what you can do to be considered for the position. Assume she tells you that you need to strengthen your public speaking skills and develop a working relationship with two key members of another department, with whom you would be working closely. You could enroll in a Toastmasters speaking class, and begin a relationship with your coworkers in another department by taking them to lunch.

As you work through your personal year end review using the questions above, outline your commitments for the coming year. Put a plan in place to reach those commitments, then take the necessary action that your plan requires.

If you could use some help at being held accountable, email your commitments and plan to me at [email protected].

I will be taking some time off this week to be with my family. Join me for the 90 Second Navigator blog and podcast beginning in January.

Happy Holidays!