Taking Time To Reflect
So we are approaching the end of another year.
Like many others you probably started out the year full of good intentions.
Maybe you were going to make that next step in your career, get a promotion, a pay rise, broaden your skill set or perhaps have a better balance in terms of your work and time away from work.
Of course we all know the reality.
We set out with great intentions.
We even get started a lot of the time.
The momentum might even continue for a while.
But at the end of the day did you achieve or make significant progress towards what you set out to do?
If you did congratulations.
If not then take a bit of time to reflect.
There are probably a whole host of reasons why you didn’t achieve what you intended.
You were aiming for the wrong target
Maybe you set out to achieve something that you were aiming for because someone else suggested it.
The thing is if you are going to achieve something that is significant it has to be something that you decide on.
Not your boss or your best friend.
You put more value on avoiding discomfort than the pleasure of success
Any time we set out to step up a level we are exposing ourselves to some element of risk in our own mind.
If you go out on to the job market hoping to land that next role, there is a possibility that it will be tougher to achieve than you thought it might be.
If you land your first job when you are responsible for managing others you might well find that you struggle initially and your confidence takes a hit.
If you take the step up to leading you know that the buck stops with you. Yes there are great rewards but there are also risks.
Of course on the flip side if you just keep doing what you do right now then best case scenario is that you don’t move forward.
Worst case is that you fall even further behind.
You gave up too quickly
No one wants to be struggling.
At the same time it’s all too easy to throw in the towel too quickly and tell yourself that you were not up to it, that it wasn’t the right tome or some other reason.
So what’s the options going forward?
Before you do anything reflect on why you didn’t achieve what you set out to do
There may well be very good reasons why you didn’t achieve.
Take the time to sit down and reflect on the real reasons why you didn’t achieve what you set out to do.
Commit only to what really matters to you
Only commit to landing your next job if that is something you really want.
Only step into a management role if you really want to manage.
Only step up to a leadership role if you really want to take the lead.
Once you commit make sure you complete
One thing completed is better than 10 things 50% completed.
Focus on completing the things that really matter to your success in your career.
About the Author Duncan Brodie
Since 2006 I’ve worked with in excess of 8,000 accountants and professionals in workshops, seminars and one to one helping them land their next jobs and become better leaders, presenters and business partners. Before that I spent 25 years in accountancy climbing the career ladder from Payments Clerk to FD. I’m a CIMA Fellow, Certified Professional Coach and Team Coach Facilitator.