Startup CEO, 2nd Edition

Chapter 48Taking Stock of the Year

At the end of every year, I take a few minutes to refresh my operating system for the upcoming year. I reflect on how the business is doing, on my goals and development plans, and on what I want to accomplish in the upcoming year. Although most of that work is focused on how to move the business forward, I also make sure to take stock of my own career.

Celebrating “Yes”; Addressing “No”

Whenever I take stock of the past year, I always ask myself four questions:

• Am I having fun at work?
• Am I learning and growing as a professional?
• Is my work financially rewarding enough, either in the short term or in the long term?
• Am I having the impact I want to have on the world?

Of course, I always shoot for four yes responses. As long as I get at least two or three yesses, I feel like I'm in good shape and I know which one or two things to work on in the coming year. That's one of the main inputs I have into setting my agenda for the coming year.

Any time the answer to one of those questions is no, I ask why.

Are You Having Fun?

Are the people around me not fun people? Then I am hiring poorly. Are they fun people who aren't having fun currently? Then either they're working too hard or they aren't seeing enough reward or recognition for their efforts and they're frustrated because their efforts aren't going anywhere. Or maybe they aren't well equipped to do the jobs they have to do for any number of reasons. Is everyone around me having fun, except ...