Inspiration 'Ten Annual Review Questions.'
Inspiration 'Ten Annual Review Questions.'
to give you pause. Written by Victoria Chin.
At the end of the year, I give my clients questions and prompts as an annual review. We like to close the year with an aligned understanding of how it’s been for them and make a point of highlighting specific challenges and achievements. Of course, this always leads to ideas for the next year, but it's worth reminding ourselves that review and reflection are about creating a space to pause and recharge before new decisions are made.
Do you take the time to review your year beyond work, and beyond generating an income? Do you do this alone or with friends? With a Mentor? Perhaps you have friends who are your Mentors?
International Coach Federation's definition of Mentoring:
'A mentor is an expert who provides wisdom and guidance based on his or her own experience. Mentoring may include advising, counseling and coaching. The coaching process does not include advising or counseling, and focuses instead on individuals or groups, setting and reaching their own objectives'
Soundboarding helps us to get out of our heads and away from the inner critic monologue that can often be over-judgmental. Consider discussing these questions and your reflections with someone you trust. The process of sharing feedback can offer unique learnings and insights in itself.
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What made this year unique for you?
When it was the start of the year, what were you most dreading/fearful of/feeling challenged by, and why?
What happened? Can you describe the experience? How did you feel?
What helped? What hindered or held you back?
What did you learn? What would you tell your previous year self if you could go back in time?
What were you most looking forward to at the beginning of the year, and why?
What happened? Can you describe the experience? How did you feel?
What helped? What hindered or held you back?
What did you learn from it? What would you tell your previous year self if you could go back in time?
Time: thinking of how you spent your time this year
Top of mind, what were the big ticket experiences that absorbed a lot of your time?
What felt worthwhile; Worth-your-while? Look back in your diary or journal, or think about each month and your energy levels.
What would you do differently with your time next year? Objectively try the Stop, Start or Continue listing.
What’s the most impactful 'Aha' you’ve felt this year?
thinking about yourself and your experiences
About something or someone
Connectivity and Community. What were your most meaningful connections this year?
Did you make any new connections? Did you expand your network or friends group?
Has there been an evolution in your existing relationships and contacts? A validation or affirmation?
Think beyond individuals and labels or categories. Brainstorm the diversity of the connections, e.g., People, organisations, profit and non-profit, local or international, young or older, healthy or struggling with health issues, cultures, and industries.
Did you purposefully curate quality memories with others?
Did you have any 'lucky' co-incidences, or unexpected events?
What's worked or not worked in your connections? - What, when, where, who or how?
Focusing inwards on Yourself, where and when did you feel
The most empathy
THE spark of inspiration
Most connected with yourself.
Peaks and troughs:
What was your happiest moment, and define why.
What was the darkest, or most difficult, moment and define why
Review your 'Timeline Frame of Reference'
Add key events. Review events with the same score. Similarities, differences?
Any changes you would score differently now?
Is the scale the same or different?
Values: Our experiences define us and what we feel is most meaningful to us. What makes you different now versus this time last year? What's changed and why? How do you think this will impact you moving forward?
Here are 2 books I highly recommend, to continue your review and exploration of your values:
‘Walking your why’ is the art of living by your own personal set of values – the beliefs and behaviours you hold dear and give you a sense of meaning and satisfaction. Identifying and acting on the values that are truly your own – not those imposed on you by others, not what you think you ‘should’ care about, but what you genuinely do care about – is the crucial next step of achieving emotional agility.
David, Susan. Emotional Agility: Get Unstuck, Embrace Change and Thrive in Work and Life (pp. 110-111). Penguin Books Ltd. Kindle Edition.
Values are the unique attitudes and beliefs that motivate and drive us. They are what make you ‘you’, so it might help to think of them as being a bit like your career DNA. They are a fundamental part of who you are, as they reflect what matters to you most. Values can sometimes feel like a vague and abstract concept but there are practical actions you can take to discover your values and apply them in your day-to-day life at work. In this chapter, we’re going to show you how.
Tupper, Helen; Ellis, Sarah. The Squiggly Career: The No.1 Sunday Times Business Bestseller - Ditch the Ladder, Discover Opportunity, Design Your Career (p. 48). Penguin Books Ltd. Kindle Edition.
If the content has offered a new perspective or enabled you to generate some new valuable insights for yourself, please ‘❤️’ LIKE the article or consider a Paid Subscription.