Introduction
As the new year begins, many of us take stock of our past goals, measuring our success against the list we so optimistically created at the start of the year. I once did exactly that—I wrote down all the things I wanted to achieve, excited about the prospect of checking them off one by one when the year ended.
However, when I finally opened that list, I felt a wave of disappointment. Many of the things I had set out to do remained unchecked. Instead of feeling accomplished, I felt like I had failed.
But then, I had a realization.
What if, instead of focusing on what I hadn’t achieved, I made a list of everything I had accomplished—whether it was on my original list or not? As I started writing, I was surprised to see that the new list was much longer than the first. I had grown, learned, and achieved far more than I had given myself credit for.
This experience taught me an important lesson: we often measure success too narrowly. Just because something isn’t on our radar doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. Much like how focusing on round objects in a room makes us ignore all other shapes, focusing only on unmet goals blinds us to our true progress.
Why We Get Stuck on “Missed” Goals
When we set goals at the beginning of the year, we’re predicting the future based on what we think is important at that moment. However, life is unpredictable. Priorities shift, new opportunities emerge, and challenges lead us down paths we never expected.
Yet, when we review our year, we judge ourselves against a fixed list, forgetting that growth is not always linear. This self-imposed rigidity can lead to:
- Disappointment and self-doubt (“I didn’t achieve this, so I failed.”)
- Ignoring unexpected achievements (“I did so many other things, but they weren’t part of my plan.”)
- A negative mindset that focuses on lack rather than abundance
But here’s the truth: success is more than ticking off a checklist.
Shifting the Focus: A New Approach to Reflection
Instead of measuring success against an old list, try this approach at the start of the new year:
- Make a “Wins” List
- Write down everything you accomplished over the past year, big or small.
- Include personal growth, new skills, relationships you strengthened, obstacles you overcame, and lessons you learned.
- Celebrate the Unexpected
- Identify achievements that weren’t part of your original plan but turned out to be valuable.
- Recognize how adaptability led to growth in ways you hadn’t imagined.
- Reframe “Missed” Goals
- Instead of seeing them as failures, ask: Why didn’t this happen?
- Did your priorities change? Was the goal unrealistic? Did new opportunities take precedence?
- Adjust your perspective—sometimes, not achieving something is a sign of progress in a different direction.
- Set Flexible Intentions for the New Year
- Rather than a rigid checklist, create guiding themes or intentions for the year.
- Example: Instead of “Get promoted,” try “Take on new challenges that expand my skills and leadership.”
- This allows room for growth without the pressure of a fixed outcome.
Final Thoughts: Look for the Positives
As you step into this new year, shift your focus from disappointment to discovery. Recognize your growth, celebrate your journey, and trust that progress doesn’t always look the way you expected.
Call to Action
Before setting new goals, take a moment to list everything you’ve achieved in the past year. You may be surprised at how much you’ve grown. What’s one unexpected win you’re proud of? Share in the comments—I’d love to hear your story! 🚀✨
The 'Product'ive Mind 