Shift your mindset—no big goals or resolutions required.
Every December, the internet fills up with prompts like “What are your goals for next year?” or “What’s your word for 2026?”
They’re well-meaning. But let’s be honest, sometimes they feel a bit... performative.
Especially if you’re still processing the year you just had, your biggest wins weren’t flashy, and your hardest moments weren’t LinkedIn post–friendly.
So instead of jumping to what’s next, I want to offer you something gentler. And possibly more powerful.
A career reflection that starts with two simple questions:
- What worked?
- What didn’t?
Not what did you achieve or did you hit your goals. Just… what worked?
That meeting cadence that made your week flow better.
The project you took ownership of, and felt seen for.
The boundaries you set that helped you breathe again.
And on the flip side: what didn’t?
That leadership style you thought you should emulate but didn’t feel like you.
The late-night slack culture you absorbed but never agreed with.
The opportunities you didn’t speak up for because you weren’t sure you were “ready.”
When we reflect this way—with curiosity, not criticism—we start to see patterns. Not just in performance, but in preference. And that’s where clarity lives.
Here’s a simple year-end career reflection mini-exercise:
1. Grab a piece of paper or open a blank doc.
Draw a line down the middle. Title one column What Worked. The other, What Didn’t.
2. Start with moments, not metrics.
Write freely, big or small. Think team dynamics, habits, communication styles, moments you felt proud (or drained).
3. Look for clues.
What themes emerge? Where were you energized? Where did you shrink? What’s one thing you want more of, and one you’re ready to leave behind?
It’s about giving yourself a clearer lens rather than building a five-year plan. So that whatever you do next, it’s rooted in what’s real and not what’s trending.
Because strategy isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing what matters with Purpose.
So, what worked for you this year that you want to do more of in the next?
Until next time…
Mal
Founder, The Ideas Accelerator
Helping you grow your career with strategic insight and smarter tools.