As we prepare to ring in 2024 this weekend, most leaders are reviewing the past year.

One simple exercise has had a significant positive impact on my planning.

The reason is that it shifts my perspective on what I’ve accomplished over the prior year.

Inspiration Ignites Intellect

That shift in perspective energizes and inspires my process and my plan.

This is especially important because I naturally resist planning, or even maintaining a plan. And because I lead from my heart more than my head.

Regardless of your personality or instinctive strengths, this energy shift can inspire you to see greater possibilities and potential for you and your team in 2024.

How We See Impacts What We See

Are you looking through a lens of judgment, with a critical eye?

Are you choosing to see through the eyes of acceptance, maybe even with a dash of compassion?

Both?

The Horizon

In our busy-ness, we are usually focused on what we need to do, what's not done. We're looking at the horizon and the shore always seems to be elusive, so far away.

Even for naturally optimistic, hopeful people, it seems to be easier to see what we haven't accomplished than what we have.

The Shore We Left Behind

It's more difficult, or maybe simply not practiced, to turn around and look at how far we have come from the shore where we began.

The simple practice I've been doing in December these past few years is reviewing my calendar, week by week, and noting big events and accomplishments. It's the starting point in the YearCompass.

Outcomes And Actions

It's helpful to review not only the outcomes we achieved but also the actions we took.

Did we take the actions we believed would deliver the results we desired, that we committed to take?  Did they have the impact we assumed?  Did we course-correct if they weren’t working?

A Simple Hack For 2024

I add two simple summaries to my weekly planner pages:  Wins and Social. It reminds me to track my business wins and to celebrate connections with my family and community of friends.

I simply add bullet points throughout the week, or at the end, which gives me a sense of accomplishment…or clarifies what I’m not getting done, where I need to focus next.

It makes my year-end review quick and effective. I can see the mountain of actions I took throughout the year, and the significant accomplishments, rather than just focusing on the shore I haven’t yet reached.

It shifts my energy, inspires greater confidence and belief in myself and my ability to achieve my goals.

What Really Matters

Most importantly, this simple weekly planning hack reminds me that I am devoting time to creating meaningful experiences with family and friends…an especially poignant recognition for me at the end of 2023.

Find The Joy

Celebrate wins. Express your love and gratitude for your people, your teams.

That’s where the joy is.

And ask for help if you need to see hope and possibilities on the horizon that could transform your team dynamics and your outcomes in 2024.