Get Ready for 2024: Seven Ways to Reflect and Revive - Oona Collins
As the year draws to a close, it's important to take some time for reflection and rejuvenation. Oona Collins founder of Potential Plus International shares her seven ways to reflect, revive and get ready for 2024.
With the Christmas and New Year period being a time when many take a break from the office, set aside some time to review your accomplishments, identify areas for improvement, and set intentions for the year ahead. Here are seven ways to make the most of this reflective period:
1. Reflect on your 2023 journey
Take some time to reflect on the experiences, achievements, and challenges faced throughout 2023. Consider questions like:
What did I accomplish this year?
What challenges did I overcome?
What did I learn about myself and others?
What are my priorities for 2024?
What do I want to achieve in the coming year?
I have included a link at the end of this article for you to download an ‘End of Year Reflection Questions’ resource that you can use to help with this exercise.
2. Set clear priorities for 2024
Is there something you have been putting off that you can make sure you prioritise this year? Or are there any habits you might want to change or work on?
The MD of a growing property consultancy became aware that he often neglected acknowledging progress and the smaller achievements and successes of his team. He was naturally focused on the bigger picture and wasn’t giving credit to the smaller wins, which was influencing morale. He made this a priority to focus on this year and has reported the difference this makes to the motivation and commitment levels of his team
When setting priorities, address the roles in various aspects of life—as a business leader, a parent, a mentor etc. Introduce small changes that contribute to each role. Also allocate time in your diary for significant family events and holidays, even if the details are undecided booking them will give you something to look forward to.
3. Revitalise your team
Gather your team for a reflective session to discuss their experiences, goals, and ambitions. Re-evaluate the shared values and behaviours that will contribute to team success and discuss how each can hold the others accountable to them.
When a new player makes the All Blacks New Zealand national rugby squad, he is presented with a book that includes details of the principles, values, standards, code of honour, ethos and character of the team that all who wear the famous kit are expected to live up to. They are told to ‘Be purposeful’ ‘Add to the ethos’ and ‘create their own legacy’…all within these agreed rules and values.
4. Navigate your career
This time of year many people think about the direction their career is going to go next and contemplate how they can navigate the next stage of their growth and development.
When deciding on your next step, ensure any decision is based on some critical factors.
A primary factor is clarifying the activities that you most enjoy about your current and previous roles that bring you the greatest source of satisfaction and motivation. I call this your ‘Happy List’ to guide your career decisions and prioritise activities that align with your values and interests.
A client was seeking her next opportunity, following a company restructure. She had several offers and found that the process of creating her ‘happy list’ gave her the clarity needed to choose the role that would motivate her the most. After two months in her new job she confirmed that she made the right decision and was already making an impact.
5. Find the positives in challenges
A number of people I have worked with this year have gone through change, some unexpectedly. In times of challenges, spend time noting your achievements and the impact they had. Reflecting on past successes builds confidence.
Maintain a positive mindset, recognising that when one door closes, another – and often an even better one - opens. In almost every case, those people have found a role that was even better and recognised in hindsight that it was the best thing that could have happened to them.
6. Clear your physical and mental space
Declutter your physical surroundings and make them more organised and inviting. Clean out your email inbox, organise your workspace, and declutter your living space. A clean and organised environment can promote clarity and focus.
Due to renovation works, I recent cleared out my office. I found the process to be mentally refreshing and the reorganised space to be beneficial to my productivity.
7. Make a positive impact on someone else
Despite the festive season's joy, it can be challenging for some. Take a moment to consider colleagues or others facing difficulties, offering support through a conversation or gesture. This could be neighbour who would welcome a chat, an old friend who needs a listening ear or a colleague who needs extra support.
Reaching out could make a significant impact on someone's well-being, as people may be hesitant to ask for help.
Reflective Questions
Download a copy of my 'End of Year Reflection Questions' sheet to guide your reflection process.
Wishing you a peaceful and reflective holiday season, and a prosperous and fulfilling 2024.
get in touch
Potential Plus International
Potential Plus International, founded in 2001, is a leadership development consultancy for global and national organisations. We provide highly personalised coaching for ambitious business leaders, teams, executives and entrepreneurs who aspire to do great things. The people we work with want to be the best in their field, offer exquisite service and strive for excellence.
Through our unique combination of emotional intelligence and commercial acumen, we help our clients obtain a competitive advantage.
Led by Oona Collins, with her team of highly qualified coaches, we have had the privilege of working with some of the best leaders across 25 countries and four continents.
To find out how Potential Plus International can help enhance leadership in your organisation, please contact us at info@potentialplus-int.com
T: +44 (0)20 8877 0067
M: +44 (0) 7973 244203