As we find ourselves a quarter of the way into the year, it’s the perfect moment to pause and reflect on your achievements so far.
I’ve previously discussed the concept of ‘recency’ bias, which often clouds our perception as we approach year-end performance reviews. If we do not keep a track throughout the year, we tend to only recall the most recent accomplishments, akin to trying to remember a weekly shopping list in your head. You are likely to only remember the last few items. What about those significant but less memorable tasks that were completed earlier in the year?
Our lives move swiftly, and amidst the whirlwind of change, it’s easy to forget the progress we’ve made in the previous quarters, months, or weeks.
My coaching clients find that accountability is very much part of our sessions, when we review their progress against their goals. However, if coaching isn’t an option for you right now, there’s a simple alternative: conducting a personal review of your year so far.
Whether it’s jotting down notes in an app or drafting an email to yourself, document every accomplishment, big or small over the first quarter of this year. Include any praise emails you’ve received as tangible evidence of your contributions.
Consider creating a designated “My Year in Review” folder to store these emails and associated achievements. When it’s time for your performance review, you’ll have a comprehensive record at your fingertips, simplifying the process and ensuring you don’t overlook any successes.
If you haven’t already, take a moment now to review your year and acknowledge your progress. Your future self will thank you for it.
If you would like to make a tangible plan for the year ahead, why not book an intensive half-day coaching session with me, where we will build your life changing plan. Book a slot to find out more.