As we get ready to launch into 2016, now is a good time to take a look back on this year to evaluate your accomplishments and determine your goals. We live in a culture where pride is often considered a negative trait, but there are times where we should be proud of what we’ve done in our careers. How can you look back at this year and determine what you’ve done? Here are some easy steps.
Personal Accomplishments
Your evaluation shouldn’t just include the things you’ve done at work. Did you do other, extracurricular activities this year? Maybe you went back to school. Or you started exercising and eating better for your health. Did you start your work on that novel you’ve always wanted to write? Start by assessing the great things you did in your personal life in 2015 to put your career goals into perspective.
Career Goals Achieved
Next, consider the goals that you established for your career at the beginning of the year. These could be with your current company or how to advance your career beyond what you’re doing now. How did you move forward? How did you celebrate accomplishments? Did you keep track of them? If not, now is a good time to write them down for use on future resumes.
Time and Money
One of many ways to track your accomplishments to look at them in terms of time and money. Did you alter your schedule this year? Did you concentrate on your work/life balance? Or maybe adding more hour was in your plan for 2015. Did you earn more money? Did you get awards or bonuses? All of this can give you an idea of your work for the year.
A Look Forward
Now that you’ve seen what you could do in 2015 it is time to take a look at 2016 to see what goals you can establish for yourself for the coming year. Start by thinking big and then scale it back down into easy to accomplish steps. This will give you an idea of how and where to start after January 1st rolls around.