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As we near the end of the year, it’s a common statement, ‘where has the year gone?” followed by ‘what have I achieved and, critically asking, what goals didn’t I meet?

Don’t stop there! Be bold! Reminisce, review, re-evaluate and be reinvigorated. Take action! Look back, look at the present, then look forward!  

For the Business owner this is a crucial exercise by providing insight into what actually happened, identifying the ‘wins and losses’ and using it as the opportunity to explore possibilities and untapped potential.

Smart Business Proprietors will be asking, ‘what are our results, what went well and what didn’t?’ What puzzles and problems did we face and solve?  The highs, lows, challenges, successes and setbacks. It’s the full gamut!

On a personal level take time to think about your Business values and what drives you. Are you aligned, in tune with your vision and goals, on track or are changes needed for the next year? Daunting!  You might be thinking this is all too hard to think about.

REFLECTION IS IMPORTANT! Keep reading to find out the benefits!

Reflecting, taking the time, and taking a step back, to review, analyse, evaluate and learn from our successes and failures is a productive and empowering exercise. We can take the lessons learned into the New Year as a foundation for future growth.

Embrace reflection with enthusiasm and energy!

Whether you are a solo operator or have employees reflecting on the year has benefits for all concerned. If you created goals at the start of the year revisit them and Business Goals should also be reviewed. The key is to look objectively at the outcomes.

Importantly, ‘reflection’ is not about judging, or criticism it is about learning from our experiences, doing more of what worked, making improvements to areas where needed and being excited about the future, what you can take and create!

Give kudos where due, to yourself or employees. Express gratitude and give recognition, as it brings out the best in most!  And learn from setbacks or mistakes, they provide opportunities for growth and self-improvement.

To help you get started here are some steps to follow.

List your successes. For example, Record sales, projects completed on time & budget, notable accomplishments/ achievements.

In drilling down ask these 4 key questions:

• What happened to make it a success
• Why do we think it happened- what contributed to the result

• What problems or opportunities did it present
• What action did we take 

In a Team setting ask members to share their experiences.  It’s essential all members participate and contribute to the activity. Ensure problems are heard, questions are encouraged and answered and challenges acknowledged.   

List setbacks, problems, failures. What product, project, or process didn’t work? What, why, how!

Drill down asking the same 4 questions

What next

• Ask, identify and explore what are the ‘game-changes’ for the coming year.
• With your Team, revisit the Business Mission, Vision and goals.
• Together, create the vision for the coming year.

Congratulations, you, and your Team are now better prepared and equipped to take on the coming year, keen to contribute, create and achieve mutual goals.