We are already a week into the third month of the year. I start noticing the days getting longer in mid-February, and a few weeks later the calendar flips to March. I usually say to myself it feels like the first few months of the year went really fast. That’s when the panic sets in as I fear I haven’t been productive since the start of the year.
Luckily I gather my wits, take a deep breath, and take inventory of what I’ve accomplished. I encourage you to do the same. As we close in on the end of the first quarter, now is a great time to reflect on the progress we’ve made towards a goal or vision. We may find we didn’t set a goal or vision and if that’s the case it is never too late!
Ask yourself the following questions and write down the answers. Think of the answers as data – not right or wrong. You may find you are exactly where you want to be. You may find your circumstances have taken a turn and you have reprioritized. Or you may discover you want to envision a different future. It’s all good, and it’s all information for you and you alone to consider.
The 5 Questions
- What did you set out to accomplish at work and outside of work this year?
- What have you accomplished so far this year?
- What have you done that you feel good about?
- In three months from now, what do you want to be writing about that you accomplished and feel good about?
- What are the top 3-5 steps you need to take to be able to write what you did in Question 4?
If you had a significant accomplishment at work, you may want to add it to your resume so it’s easy to remember. One day you’ll need your resume and having your accomplishments already noted will lessen your stress in the future. If you’ve ever been laid off and had to update your resume you know what I mean. It’s stressful enough to start a job search, but having to remember all your accomplishments can be difficult. Do yourself a favor and add a note to the resume itself or add your update to a running list you can reference later.
Take a look at your responses to the questions. Any surprises? Is there anything you need to make a course correction on? I find I can’t ask myself these types of questions frequently enough. When I reflect on progress and envision the future it helps me intentionally work towards a future I want. The future doesn’t always shape itself to my will, of course. But I’m more confident and feel I use my time more wisely when I know the destination or direction I’m headed in.
I’ll share a couple of bonus questions that have resonated with me for a long time. These help with discovering the type of work I find joy in doing and the type of work that I find dull. We can’t always do work we love every minute of the day, but usually we add more value if we can minimize the amount of work that drains us. Not always easy to move away from work we don’t like doing, I know. Food for thought!
Bonus Questions
Bonus Question 1: What have I done since the start of the year that energized me?
Bonus Question 2: What have I done since the start of the year that drained me?
Best to you for the next three months of the year!