But heres the thing: don’t just do it like you usually do this type of exercise. Leaders like you are usually pretty good at this stuff.

Do it with PURPOSE this time around. Like if you were trying the last good bits of the year so to speak…in order to use it as your investment for the year to come. And these questions, I ask myself!

1. What Worked Well This Year?

   You must have done something that was successful. Successes are powerful motivators to leaders. Even better though, those same achievements will provide clarity on YOUR strengths and accomplishments. Reflect on those projects, initiatives, or personal achievements that brought you a sense of fulfillment.

   Would you agree that emphasizing those in the next year could bring more success?!

2. What Did Not Work as Expected?

   This is not as much fun to do. Because it will remind you of some failures, blunders and perhaps defeats. Embracing failure as a learning opportunity is a hallmark of effective leadership. As you know, you do not always fail. You also succeed. Embracing failure builds resilience as it pushes you forward to your next victory. Evaluate what did not unfold as anticipated and did not move you forward. Was there a communication breakdown or a leadership mishap?

   Perhaps doing less of this is a worthwhile idea?!

3. What Did You Enjoy the Most?

   Passion and fulfillment fuel your sustained success. Take a moment to identify the activities, projects, or interactions that brought you the most joy. In my case, getting to coach leaders to better their communication is sooooooo rewarding. I’ve done this for a longtime, but this year was one notch up above usual! Discover what are those things you do that just make you go “Gosh, I love this”. Integrating more of what you love into your professional life will drive you with a greater sense of purpose and enthusiasm.

   Don’t only do what you enjoy but doing more of that will certainly help you!

4. What Is Something You Wanted to Accomplish This Year But Never Got to It?

   If you’re like most leaders, you usually set up a series of ambitious goals at the beginning of the year. It’s normal. Leaders like you have a bias for action. Yet, you’ll find that time constraints, unexpected challenges or even “I’ll get to that” become “Forget that” can derail plans. What were those goals or aspirations that remained unfulfilled? Consider the reasons behind these procrastinated objectives. If they were important enough for you to think about them and plan to make them happen, maybe it’s time to act upon them. I wanted to get my “Communication Catalyst” course ready to help you get that promotion, make that lasting impression on your colleagues or even improve your messaging. It’ll be ready early next year! Same for my “Leadership Evolved” . You can find out more RIGHT HERE

   What needs to be back on your radar?

5. What Do You Want for Next Year?

   Looking ahead, clarify your aspirations and set meaningful intentions for the coming year. But as it is said, “the road to hell is paved with good intentions”. Intentions do not mean movement, actions do. Consider both professional and personal aspects of your life. Do you want to develop your leadership skills and gravitas or enrich your communication capacities? You can! What leadership qualities do you aim to strengthen? What personal goals will contribute to your overall well-being? Is there a messaging aptitude you aspire to reinforce? Defining CLEARLY your desires will provide YOU a roadmap for your future actions and decisions, empowering you to align your efforts with your long-term vision.

   What do you need to start now in order to get what you want later (or even now!)?

Use this self-assessment as your foundation for strategic planning and personal development and let me help you like I’ve helped hundreds of other leaders.

Book a FREE 30-minute time and see what could happen next year that did not last year. This half-hour BOOKING could be setting the stage for a fulfilling and successful year ahead.