Did you find yourself sliding into a slump these past few months? Time for a reset?
In the depths of winter, we can find ourselves feeling a little untethered. With spring now upon us, this could be an ideal time to pause and conduct a life audit, to establish whether our personal and professional goals still align.
UNE’s Organisational Development Consultant Trish Donald recommends finding a quiet moment to reflect deeply on what has happened in your life so far in 2022.
“It involves asking ourselves how we are going in pursuit of our goals, what have been some of the blocks, and what do we want for the next six months?” Trish says.
“A life audit allows you to check in on yourself – on your work, finances, relationships, recreation – and to think about what’s working and what’s not.
“We are not always conscious of the decisions and choices we make; we can let life happen to us and get distracted by all the ‘noise’. It’s good to consider your life holistically. How do your relationships, work and bigger ambitions align with your personal values?”
It starts with our goals
“Goals form the foundation, but you need to check in with them periodically, too,” Trish says.
“Sometimes they change; sometimes there are valid reasons why we haven’t achieved them. And it’s not entirely about the goals but what sits behind them. Coming back to some central questions around what brings enjoyment and satisfaction to your life is key.”
Recognise progress
“Even if it’s small, acknowledge what progress you’ve made and congratulate yourself, because one achievement can often bring the confidence needed to take the next step,” Trish says.
“It also demonstrates that you can do things in bite-sized pieces. Understanding why your original goal may have changed or why you didn’t achieve it is insightful, too.”
Keep asking: what kind of life do I want to create for myself?
“By bringing awareness to what is important, you can empower yourself to make change,” Trish says.
“It may mean staying within your organisation and doing some training to become a supervisor or manager, moving to a different section, or a secondment, or applying for a different job altogether.
“If we think of it in professional terms, we can forget that – whatever our job – we have the freedom to make it our own, to shape our environment. A good manager will have those conversations with you, recognise the qualities you have, and tease them out. Even a poor manager will help you to identify what kind of leader you would rather be, and how you would prefer to influence team members around you.
“You may find that the goals of your organisation have changed, that they are no longer reflected in the workplace or that they no longer align with yours. We all grow and change, and there’s a message for managers and executives as well: every organisation needs to constantly re-evaluate how it brings its values to life.”
Keep note of key milestones and achievements
“Statements and intentions recognise the increments along the way to achieving goals, and it’s important to chart your progress,” Trish says.
“This encourages you to be mindful and to take action where needed; to be self-responsible.”
So, what are you waiting for?
