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Conduct a Stock-Take of 2010

Taking stock of what has worked for you this year - and what hasn't - will put you in the right frame of mind for greater success in 2011, says coach Sophie Robertson.

So many people say, at the end of each year, "I can't believe how quickly that year went by", often lamenting the fact that they didn't accomplish what they had set out to do, she says.

But it's better to think about the year in terms of what you have achieved, rather than what you haven't - "it's the difference between a glass-half-full and a glass-half-empty perspective".

"You have to understand that once we conquer something, it becomes infinitely small and we often forget the milestones in getting there. For example you might have dreaded cold calling at the beginning of the year but now through training, persistence and practice, you have mastered this component of your job and no longer consider it worth mentioning. It's important to celebrate everything you have achieved this year, so take some time now to reflect on how far you have come."

Robertson, the director of YouNique Coaching, recommends starting your personal stock-take with general questions:

What were the best things that happened for you this year -

- on a personal level?

- on a professional level? and

- on a business level?

How did they happen? Was it, for example, through professional and/or personal development?
Who helped you get there? Was it through networking? Or through accepting more challenges? Who was cheering you on?
Who do you need to spend more time with, and what challenges do you need to do more of, to get you even better results for next year?
What books did you read? What courses did you do? What skills did you acquire?
What is different about you now compared to the same time last year?

If you are a manager or business owner, ask yourself these additional questions:

Who were the stand-out performers in your team?
Who could have done better?
What can you do to coach, train and develop your team members more?
Are you spending enough time with your top performers, or are you just spending time with the bottom performers?
What worked well and you want to do more of in 2011?
What didn't work at all that you need to scrap next year?
What do you need to add to your own manager/leader toolkit to deliver better outcomes for you and/or your team members?

If you are an employee, ask yourself these additional questions:

What did I do really well this year?
What can I learn to do better?
Am I getting enough coaching and training from my manager?
Who else can be a mentor to me so I can grow more quickly?
Who or what inspires me?
What do I need to produce better bottom-line results for myself and the company?
Is my career on track?
In what ways does my salary package encourage me to learn more, do more and produce more?
Am I happy to keep going in 2011 on the same path or do I want a promotion/challenge?

Finally, Robertson says, on a personal level you can examine your relationships and whether you are happy with how and what you spend your time on:

Am I getting what I need from my partner/children/family/friends?
Am I giving what my partner/children/friends/family need from me?
Have I been spending enough time with the people who are important to me?
Have I been spending enough time on nurturing myself?
How is my health?
How is my spiritual health?
Am I happy with my contribution to the community, in terms of time/effort/money?

"Get out a blank piece of paper and identify your 'ideal' existence. What does it look like?

"How far are you from that now? If you're already there, are you mindful and grateful on a daily basis? If not, what do you need to do differently to get there?

"First, celebrate your achievements this year, be appreciative of how far you've come and then identify what you want more of to close off 2010. Becoming better and getting more is all about awareness of what is, making decisions on what needs to happen or stop, and taking action!"