This week we will start a 2 part series about reflecting on the end of the year.  We’ll start by reflecting on the goals we set earlier this year and what those goals can tell us about ourselves.

At the beginning of every year I set goals for myself across a few categories: career, financial, physical, mental, and relationships.  I wanted to lead a successful launch meeting.  I wanted to save X amount of money.  I wanted to complete an obstacle course race.  I wanted to read at least 20 books.  I wanted to go on a couple of date nights with my wife every month.  As this year comes to a close, I’ll stop to look at which goals I achieved.  I had some hits and I had some misses too. 

In an achievement obsessed culture, it will be easy to just focus on the accomplishments.  It will be easy to say, “I’m good, because I achieved A and B goals.” And “I’m bad, because I missed on X and Y goals.”  I’d argue life is more than just achievement.  There were some goals I accomplished and realized they weren’t as important as I thought they were.  At the end of everything I didn’t feel different and I didn’t learn anything.  There were some goals I accomplished and realized it wasn’t about the goal at all, but the journey I went on that transformed me.  On the flip side, there were goals I missed in life.  Some of those misses hurt.  Some of them didn’t hurt as bad as I thought they did, which continued to show me what is truly important in life.  

What does this have to do with anything?  As we wind down for the year, I hope we all take the time to look at the goals we set for ourselves in work and life.  When we do, the first thing we will ask is whether or not we achieved our goals, but I’d encourage us reflect further.  I hope we take time to ask ourselves more questions about what it means when we hit or don’t hit a goal. 

If you hit a goal– What does that signify to you? Is hitting this goal as important as you thought it would be when you set it?  What does that tell you?  How did you hit that goal? Is this something you want to continue focusing on?  Do you want to build on this success?  If so, how? 

If you missed a goal– What does that signify to you?  Is missing this goal as important as you thought it would be when you set it? What does that tell you?  Why did you miss achieving the goal?  What was in your control and outside of your control?  What did you learn?  How will you adapt in the future?  Will you keep this as a goal or will you go in a new direction?

The challenge: What do your goals tell you about yourself?

Bonus: Happy Hanukkah to all my friends celebrating.

Have a jolly good day,

Andrew Embry