A Simple 3-Step Annual Review

A Simple 3-Step Annual Review

A year-end rhythm for leaders that pays off all year long!

Have you ever been in one of those places notorious for questionable infrastructure?

I’m not talking about rural South Carolina.

When I lived in Central Asia, we became more than familiar with the perils of cross-country expeditions on inhospitable roads. Travel outside of the urban centers means rough terrain, potholes, wash-boarding, sometimes no road at all. Navigation at night and in winter exasperate the entire endeavor.

There was a certain night returning home from a neighboring town (it also was winter) and we realized things were not looking familiar. We were off-road and moving in the right direction but recognized that we were on the wrong side of a small range of mountains. They were on the right side of the truck and should have been on the left side. We were just grateful that the night was clear (but freezing!) and could backtrack to a pass, cross the range, and get going the right direction.

Get and keep your bearings.

It’s that time of year, friends!

It’s time to do a check in to make sure you are on the right side of the mountain. Many do this kind of thinking at the turn of the calendar year or during the holidays. Indeed, a great time!

I am a firm believer that you can do this anytime!

My own, personal New Year’s Day is on not January 1st.

It’s on the Day of the Dead.

I was born on November 1st.?

About fifteen years ago, I started using my birthday to mark the beginning of a season for reflection and resolution. The entire month of November is realignment time for me. Maybe it’s an old man thing now.

The point is this:?

It doesn't matter! New Years Day can be any day want it to be.

So, whether you do this in Spring or Summer or the dead of Winter, every leader should take the time for annual maintenance, including reflection, remaking, and revising.

When I coach clients, I often talk about the fact that leading an organization is a lot like riding a bicycle.?There’s a lot going on when you’re riding a bike. Pedaling and steering, balancing, avoiding potholes, and looking out for oncoming traffic. All at the same time!

When the tire gets flat or the chain falls off, you can’t keep riding and fix the problem at the same time.

Here’s the first rule of bicycle maintenance:

You must get off the bike before working on the bike.

The same is true for business, leadership, and life!

This is step one in this process — and the most important step in this entire process.

Get off the bike.

Schedule time for reflection, remaking, and revising. Yes, you’re busy. We’re all busy. But if you don’t take the time to do this during the year, you’ll run with flat tires and a loose chains without even realizing it.

Stop right now and schedule some undistracted time for this, even if it’s just an afternoon.

Here is my process. Use this as a template for building your own.

There are three areas in my life and leadership that get attention at around this time every year.

1.?Reflect on your purpose

Nothing is by accident. Our faith in Christ and the sovereignty of God tells us this. But, moving truth from platitude to practice is something to be intentional about. This is part of my annual practice.

Knowing my purpose means understanding what I am contributing and clarifying a vision for the impact I will have on the world around me. Knowing purpose is life changing. I help my coaching clients to create a written purpose statement they can keep in front of them. This is a practical guiding document for leaders.

Every year, take time to mull over on your “why”.

The important questions I ask myself annually when reflecting on purpose are:

● What is my purpose? Do any I need to make any adjustments?

● What has specifically happened in the past year that confirm or refine my purpose (or my “why”)?

● Are my daily actions a reflection of my purpose?

● What should I do differently in the next year to better reflect my purpose?

2.?Remake your Budget

Money is a mirror of our values. I confess, the financial aspects of leadership do not bring me great joy and energy. But that doesn’t negate the importance of thinking about this issue. I remake the budget annually by asking some simple questions about every line item in my budget. If you lead an organization or a ministry project, this is crucial. Even if that’s not you, I recommend remaking your personal budget in the same way. Go through every line item in your budget and ask these four questions:

● Is this expense essential? Is this something I need in order to accomplish my mission?

● Is this expense overkill? Am I spending too much for here?

● Should we shop around? Can I get the same thing, but get a better deal?

● Is it time to terminate this? Should I stop paying for this altogether?

This is the best and simplest way I know to keep your budget fit and trim. And then I also don’t have to really think about it again until next year.

3.?Revise your goals

There are people who thrive with goal setting.

There are people who despise goal setting.

I want to leave both parties with a system that will work for them. For me, it’s helpful to keep things simple. I like to set targets in three areas:?personal growth,?productivity, and?influence.

You may create as many areas that make sense for you and your context. Some people like to expand these categories, which is fine. I caution against getting too granular with this. Complicated goals are harder to reach. I encourage you to keep it simple. Here is my process:

● Make list of all activities that could have the most impact in each area of my life (growth, productivity, influence).

● What is one activity in each area that could have the most impact?

● Create a goal for each area with this formula:

My goal is to?move from this starting point?to?this end goal?by?this date.

I have found this simple process to be revolutionary for my annual goal setting. I have three simple, trackable goals for the year. Because of my role in leadership, I add a question to my annual review:

● Who are three people (outside of my family) I most want to influence or be influenced by in this next year?

This establishes potential mentors or mentees.

Optional Last Step

The last thing I do in my annual review is?create a book list for the year. I have relatively ambitious reading goals. Often time I do read on a whim. But I like to establish essential reading just to stay on track.

Don’t get stuck on the wrong side of the mountains in 2023.?

Schedule some time to get your bearings.

Create space to get off your bicycle, do some annual maintenance over the holiday season, and queue up 2023 to be the best yet.

If you would further help establishing an annual review of your own, consider a coach.?Reach out today to see if a Growability? Coach is right for you.

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I am a consultant, coach, and trainer with?Growability? Consulting, specializing in non-profit and cross-cultural business and leadership. Check out the?Growability? Podcast?at all your favorite podcast places.