Often at the end of the year, employees are called into their boss's office to discuss their accomplishments, areas of improvement and to discuss a raise. For your own Year End Review, I want you to focus only on the things you did that you enjoyed, that challenged you, that pushed you out of your comfort zone, that required new skills. Grab a notebook, grab your laptop or phone, and let's get started.
I recommend you look at all areas of your life with this exercise. Don't just reflect on what you accomplished at your job. Don't just look at diet or fitness accomplishments. Look at tough conversation you had, times where you asserted your boundaries, moments of personal growth, times you said yes to something you'd usually avoid.
A helpful tip is to use your work and personal calendar and go month by month to see what you did to see if it helps you recall anything. I started putting the most mundane things in my calendar for this purpose, like hikes and workouts, meetings with friends and associates, classes or workshops, etc. After a year, they start to add up and give a well-rounded overview of how I'd used my time. You can also look through emails, or use your photos on social media to see what you did too. Also, look through your purchase history to see any books or items you bought or classes or events you attended.
Begin writing these down in whatever form you like. You can do a bullet-point list or you can write each down and then expand on the activity and what you learned. Watch as your list starts to grow with experiences that filled out this last year of your life.
The first year I did this, I only had a few things to write down, as I could only recall what I had done most recently. Then, I began doing more searches through my email, and I remembered more and more interesting or challenging things that I had done, people I'd met, opportunities I'd pursued, and areas that I'd decided to learn about. I thought of new recipes I'd mastered, and workouts that I'd been more consistent with than I'd been previously.
All of these things together were incredible motivation the following year. When an opportunity would present itself, like a 5:30 a.m. dance party that a friend invited me to, I thought about my year in review and that such an event would be good to include, so I went. When a business opportunity presented itself that I was reluctant to pursue, I thought about the end of year list, and pushed forward.
If your company would give you a raise for your accomplishments, consider this personal review as a chance to earn a little walking around money towards being able to say yes to new challenges in the coming year. If you find after doing this task that your end of year review isn't exactly what you'd hoped it would be, than by all means, use that as motivation to insure next year's will be better. If you're so inclined, mark your calendar for six months from now and revisit this method to check your own progress and reassess how you'll end the year stronger, bolder, funner. Write down what you'd like to accomplish in the new year and set aside time and draft steps to accomplish them. Maybe sign up for one thing today that you can say you accomplished in January. That momentum can propel you towards new things.
I hope you surprise yourself by seeing all that you've accomplished this past year, and that it sets a nice challenge to future you to push yourself even more. I'll post mine below.
All the best to you and yours in 2018!
Spent a great year with my honey, and love him even more. =)
Wrote a children's book for my best friend's new baby girl.
We met Wim Hof and sat in a tub of ice water for two minutes
Embraced sensory deprivation and did several two hour flotation sessions with very cool results. (Going again on New Year's Eve!)
My boyfriend and I hiked almost every single weekend.
Began reading the Bible.
Coordinated a wedding.
Coordinated an elaborate 70th birthday party.
Read Marcus Aurelius's Meditations
Meditated 30 Days straight, and kept going.
Flew out to a Naval Aircraft Carrier on a C-22 and landed with a tail hook, and did a catapult launch off the next morning.
Said yes to several events I would usually have avoided.
Engaged in more public speaking this year.
Started embracing tough conversations.
Began to trust my talents and abilities more.
Started wearing brighter colors - greens, reds, florals, rather than my usual navy blue, gray, black.
Stopped drinking coffee, and started drinking green tea.
Restarted drinking coffee, but not daily.
Read a lot of books, in part because of this blog.
Started the Life Upgrades blog!
Threw a baby shower for my best friend where I designed seven unique floral arrangements and crafts.
Got better at saying "yes" and "no".
Started to trust others to handle their stress rather than taking it on for them. (This was huge!)
Sprouted broccoli seeds.
Sewed pillows for my couch.
Began to play the Native American Flute.
Submitted an application for a patent.
Attended more professional events focused on international issues and meetings.
Saw Tosca (didn't care for it to be honest.)
Traveled to watch the Solar Eclipse with 99%+ coverage.
Met some interesting people in person including Scott Adams and Dave Rubin.
Let go of plans and timelines and embraced spontaneity more.
Stopped putting boundaries on where I was allowed to go, specifically in certain social circles.
Accepted others generosity in return for mine. (I'm not always good with that with people outside of my social circle.)
I got more direct this year, and more honest. I wasn't as scared of my own voice and what I had to say.
I stopped caring as much about what others, besides my very close loved ones, thought about me.
Started writing Daily Affirmations, two of which pretty much came about, though not as expected, and that's fine. Thanks Scott!
I started going to meetings I usually didn't think I should attend, because I didn't see my self as an equal to those in the meeting.
I, without being asked, being drafting a business plan for the growth of my organization.
I started working on being more persuasive through books, writing, A/B testing, and more.
Started studying economics and technical analysis again. (Previous Boglehead's Forums reader.)