Workplace Multiplier by Tola Akinsulire

Tuesday Edition: December 10, 2024

Welcome to the Workplace Multiplier newsletter. Published every Tuesday & Friday, we discover something crucial to help us on the way to winning at work and in life.

Why Your Period-End Review Could Be the Career Catalyst You've Been Waiting For

It’s that time of the year…it’s the most wonderful time of the year.

I bet I had you going on for a minute. Naaah…we are not doing an “Andy Williams” song cover.

Yes, it might be Christmas soon. But it is also something else. It’s the end of a quarter or if you prefer, the end of a year. One thing you must not miss is to take time to do a review of the quarter or year.

John Maxwell loves to say “Experience is not the best teacher; evaluated experience is the best teacher.”

You already know that the world is changing at a faster pace than most people thought was possible. So let’s take some time and do a bit of evaluation on the ending quarter or year.

Most people ignore a period-end review. But what if I told you that your period-end review could be the secret weapon to supercharge your professional growth?

Let me break this down for you.

Think of your period-end review as a personal career GPS. It's not just about ticking boxes or impressing people at work. It's about understanding your professional journey, celebrating wins, learning from setbacks, and strategically positioning yourself for what's next.

I'm going to walk you through a framework that transforms this routine exercise into a powerful career development tool. And trust me, by the end of this, you'll be looking at personal reviews differently.

1.    Your Achievements: Your Success Story Matters

First up, Your Achievements. This isn't just about listing what went right. It's about understanding WHY things went right.

Imagine you're a detective investigating your own success. Ask yourself:

• What were your biggest wins during this period?
• What unique strategies or processes made these achievements possible?
• What specific actions contributed to your success?

Pro tip: Don't just state achievements. Contextualize them. Instead of saying "I completed the software implementation", say "By collaborating with teams across different divisions and focusing on the most important outcomes, I completed the software implementation." Doesn’t this sound better already?

This section is your professional highlight reel. It's where you showcase not just results, but the intelligent thinking behind those results. Let yourself see the genius of you.

2.    Missed Objectives: Your Growth Playground

Here's where some people might get uncomfortable. Missed objectives. But I see this differently. These aren't failures—they're learning opportunities wrapped in potential.

When documenting missed objectives, don't just list what didn't happen. Explore:

• What prevented me from achieving these goals?
• What alternative approaches could I have adopted?
• What systemic or strategic adjustments might have changed the outcome?

The magic is in the reflection. A missed objective isn't a dead end—it's a detour towards something potentially better.

3.    Challenges Faced: Your Resilience Blueprint

Every professional journey has turbulence. The "Challenges Faced" section is where you transform obstacles into insights.

For each challenge, document:

• What exactly was the challenge?
• How did you initially address it?
• What did you learn from managing this challenge?
• If you encountered this again, what would you do differently?

This isn't about painting a perfect picture. It's about demonstrating adaptability, problem-solving, and continuous learning.

4.    Future Forward: Your Strategic Roadmap

This is where the magic happens. The Future Forward section isn't just wishful thinking—it's strategic planning.

Here, you're not just dreaming. You're designing. Consider:

• What specific ideas or initiatives can you introduce?
• What strategies can you adjust?
• How can you increase our impact in the coming period?
• What potential roadblocks can you anticipate and pre-empt?

Think of this as your professional innovation lab. It's where potential transforms into possibility.

I have a confession to make.

I originally developed this as a tool to help teams carry out quarterly reviews. It was later on that I adapted it to serve as a personal review tool.

These reviews can be powerful mirrors reflecting your professional growth.

Your review isn't about impressing others. It's about understanding yourself, your team, and your potential.

Let me add a few more thoughts.

1. Be Honest: Brutal honesty with yourself is the first step to meaningful growth.
2. Be Specific: Generic statements help no one. Details tell stories.
3. Be Forward-Looking: Every section should have a "what's next" perspective.

I come bearing gifts…I had to since I started this post with a Christmas song. My gift to you is everything I just spoke about in a template you can work with.

The versions (personal and team) are for you once you click this link https://sendfox.com/lp/mnrvx0

Pro Tip: Treat this document like a living, breathing strategy guide—not a static document.

Your period-end review is more than a document. It's a narrative of your professional journey. It captures not just what you did, but how you think, adapt, and grow.

In a world obsessed with instant results, this review is your opportunity to zoom out. To see the landscape of your professional evolution.

Find a quiet space. Pull out your review template. And start mapping your professional story—not as it was, but as it could be.

Remember: Your career is a journey of continuous learning. And every period-end review is a milestone, not a finish line.

You're not just reviewing a period. You're designing your future.

As always, keep winning at work and in life.

Tola Akinsulire

I am a Workplace Multiplier.

Like this?

Please pay it forward by sharing it with someone who could benefit from it. They will thank you for it.

Want to get in on some of the lessons I have picked up in my career? Get my eBook "21 Lessons I Learned in My Career - A Primer to Help You Become Better at Work". Get it here

Was this forwarded to you? Sign up so you don't miss any edition. Click here to sign up.