Build Your Best Year Yet

A Simple Approach to Growing in the Year Ahead

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

December is one of my favorite months. I get to celebrate my birthday and my favorite holiday, Christmas. I spend time reflecting on the past year and planning the new year. I set goals and take time to rest, relax, and recharge.

This month might look similar for you. You may have already started mapping out next year. Or you might need a little nudge to get started.

I want to share three items to think about when you do this. All three focus on professional and personal growth. If you spend a few minutes on this, I’m confident you’ll start the new year with a positive and healthy mindset.

Drawing from Your Well of Strengths

When we reflect on the year, we tend to focus on big milestones and major accomplishments. But the daily (or weekly) habits contribute most to our growth.

Did you do anything consistently this past year that had an outsized impact on you and your team? Did you receive any positive feedback from a manager or teammate that stands out?

Maybe it’s the way you prepared for a project. Or how you approached code reviews. It could even be how you communicate with your team.

Whatever it is, jot it down and keep it visible. It’ll remind you to keep doing it next year. And if the activity is time-consuming, you’ll remember the long-term benefits of your efforts.

It’s easy to overlook the positive contributions we’ve made, especially when deadlines are looming and project requirements change. Sometimes all it takes is a subtle reminder to keep doing what’s worked before. Keep drawing from your well of strengths.

Grow the Skill That Moves You Forward

You might think the most senior engineer at your company knows it all. The truth is they don’t. We all have skills we can improve.

Maybe you got some constructive feedback this past year. Or perhaps deep down you know that you can perform better in a particular area of your job.

It might be a soft skill like giving feedback to your colleagues. Or maybe it’s something technical like a programming language or framework. Whatever it might be, write it down and put it next to where you work.

If you’re having a hard time picking something to improve, consider these questions:

1. Will this have a positive impact on me and my team?

2. Is this a good skill to have for future roles?

3. Are there any available resources to help me?

You’ll know you’ve picked the right skill when it’s relevant to your current job and future ones. You want your career to outlast your current job and company. So make sure you’re building an arsenal of skills to help you do that.

Lastly, I suggest to select a skill with broad educational support. That’ll make it easier to find books, courses, and even coworkers who can help you.

Invest in Your Personal Growth

Now is also a great time to ponder how you want to grow personally next year. Focus on yourself for a moment — not your family, job, or career. What do you want to achieve next year?

Maybe you have some fitness goals. Perhaps you want to start a newsletter like I did this year. Or you might want to learn how to paint.

What you choose doesn’t matter as much as getting started. Because getting started is always the hardest part. But once you do, you’ll find it does get easier over time.

My one suggestion is to choose something that makes you happy. If you hate to do it, it’ll feel impossible on hard days. But if you love to do it, it’ll feel like a gift even when you don’t feel like doing it.

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As we step into the new year, take a moment to reflect on what’s worked for you in the past year. Whether it’s a consistent habit that’s fueled your growth, a skill you’re eager to improve, or a personal goal that excites you, these elements are the foundation for building your best year yet.

By acknowledging your strengths, identifying areas for improvement, and making time for the things that bring you joy, you're already setting the stage for a year of progress.

Growth isn’t just about big milestones — it’s about the small, steady steps we take each day. So, as you move forward, keep drawing from your well of strengths, choose the skills that will propel you forward, and don’t forget to make space for personal goals that recharge you.

With this approach, next year will be a year of continuous learning, growth, and fulfillment in all areas of your life.