How to do an Annual Review, Set Goals, and Plan Experiments
Over the past few years, I’ve set and achieved a number of personal and professional goals. The consistency has surprised me, and I’m convinced it comes down to the process I follow each year. This is what I do:
Complete an annual review.
Set goals and consider a few experiments.
Keep everything visible and check in regularly.
If you’d like to follow the same process, read on.
Annual Review
Start by looking back at the year. This reflection forms the foundation for the goals you set. Treat it as a journalling activity and choose whatever medium feels most comfortable, whether that is pen and paper, a blank document, or dictation on your phone.
Begin with any goals you set for the year. Note what progressed and what did not.
Then take a broader view and explore the key areas of your life (I call these Life Categories), such as:
Health
Work
Friends
Community
Family
Learning
Money
Use the Ness Labs Plus, Minus, Next Method to review each life category.
After that, reflect on your proudest accomplishments and the challenges that shaped your year. All of this gives you the clarity you need for thoughtful goal-setting.
Goal and Experiment Setting
Once you have completed your review, set your goals. Keep them specific and realistic, with enough stretch to remain motivating. Let your annual review guide your choices so your goals are grounded in what is actually happening in your life.
Aim for three to five goals so the year ahead feels focused rather than crowded.
You may also wish to outline a few experiments. These are small, low-pressure ways to test ideas and learn what supports you. I like to set a handful of goals and, alongside them, sketch out the experiments I want to try. Read more here and here.
Some people also choose a word of the year or a short phrase to act as a gentle anchor.
Visibility
Visibility is essential for achieving your goals—otherwise, you will forget them. A weekly review keeps your goals and experiments top of mind and gives you regular opportunities to adjust as needed.
If you have chosen a word of the year, find ways to keep it in view. For example, you could create a digital wallpaper featuring your word for your mobile devices and computer or buy a piece of jewellery and engrave it with your word.
Want More?
If you would like one-to-one support with setting and achieving your goals for the year, or designing personal development experiments, coaching might be a good option. Contact me to arrange a free, no-obligation call to learn more about how I work and to help you explore whether we would be a good fit.
