Annual self assessment

Tomorrow is my annual self assessment.

If you’re not sure what I’m talking about, it’s the day I reflect on the past year and figure out what I want to focus my efforts on. I recommend scheduling a self assessment day every year. I chose Memorial Day weekend because two years ago around Memorial Day I finished Bolle’s “What Color is Your Parachute?” and had a clear vision of the direction I wanted to take in life. Last year I used the Friday before Memorial Day for this, and I’m doing the same this year.

Here’s what I do:

I find a physical task challenging enough to let my mind run through everything it has to sort out. Hiking does this for me. Hiking a mountain is better than a trail because of the physical toll it takes, allowing my mind to go do its thang. There are challenges, there are opportunities to stop and rest, it takes hours, and my mind tends to get to the good stuff before the halfway point, giving me the best thoughts I may have all year for hours on end. If I have a great thought I jot it down as I go.

When I get back to my car I find a place to eat and write down my goals and commitments. I sort all my thoughts out, finalize my plans, and keep them in my journal to reference throughout the year.

Your version of an annual self assessment may look different from mine. The key is taking the time to determine what you want to do with your life. It’s doing it without distractions from people you know.

If there is a time in the past year I’ve needed to do this, it’s a month ago. I had too much going on to keep up with eating healthy, exercising, spending time with my fiancée, hiring and training a new team, and building my personal website. Burnout is no fun. I’ve gained a few pounds, been stressed out, unhappy, and I spent the past few weeks aching for the weekend. I’m not the type of person who lives in TGIF world and I don’t intend on staying any longer.

Before I hike this year I’m taking an additional day off, today, to let my body and mind relax. To get little things done I need to get done. To enjoy a sunny day. To review last year’s plans and prepare for tomorrow.

Because tomorrow will be a demanding day, one I’m looking forward to.