23: How to Reflect on Your Accomplishments

Description

As small business owners, we reflect at the end of each year. However, sometimes all this reflection can leave us in a negative headspace. We find it easier to think about what we didn’t get done, how we failed, and what we neglected to start. This year, let’s spend time looking at all the great things you accomplished.

In this episode, you’ll learn how to track your accomplishments by using the Accomplishments Framework. It’s so easy and will bring you so much joy!

Accomplishments Tracking

I recommend spending time documenting your accomplishments for about 30 minutes at the end of each month, or at least at the end of every quarter. Download this document to help you do that and then put your accomplishments in a tool like Trello or a spreadsheet.

Also, document your accomplishments before you think about your failures. Look at your strengths so you can build on those for the next year.

“There will always be failures, but there will also be accomplishments and successes too.”

The Two Themes of Accomplishment Tracking

We’ll track both feelings/subjective accomplishments and metrics/objective accomplishments through this process.

Feelings-based Accomplishments

Ask yourself these questions as you determine your subjective accomplishments this year.

What is the best compliment I’ve received about a product or service?
What is my proudest accomplishment of the month? (It may be intangible like finding the courage to make a hard decision.)
Who is the biggest champion of my work?
Who did I guide, mentor, lead, support? Or where did I volunteer?
How (outside of monetarily) has this role provided for my family, e.g. vacations, free time, my presence at every baseball game, etc.?
What new skill did I learn or acquire this year?
What decision have I made to move my business forward?
What risks have I taken? Where did I show courage?

Fact-based Accomplishments

Ask yourself these questions as you determine your objective accomplishments this year.

What am I bringing home financially? Make a game of this by finding out what day you made the most money, what your highest revenue month was, and which quarter was your most profitable.
What financial impact did my role have, e.g. my income, tithing to my church, paying down debt?
Look at your clients as a case study. Gather facts and information.
Review your product success by asking how much you grew this year, how large your email list is, and what is your conversion rate.