3 Questions To Ask Yourself This New Year

By Yasmina Khelifi, PMI-ACP, PMI-PBA, PMP

I was a big fan of New Year’s resolutions. I used to write clear and precise ones, and I tried to keep them and refer to them during the year. It put me under pressure and, unconsciously, left little space for the unexpected.

But if there’s one thing that the pandemic has taught us, it’s that we cannot control everything. In 2020, there was a lockdown in France—and all that I planned to accomplish could not happen. On the contrary, I could create many new things (like a podcast) and meet new people by getting more involved in volunteering.

A usual January activity for me is to update my CV and portfolio of achievements. It helps me gain confidence. What do you typically do at the beginning of the year to set yourself up for success?

Let's get prepared for this new year! I propose to you three lenses to view this coming year through:

• What new thing would you like to experiment with?
• How are you developing your network and meeting new people?
• What thing do you need to stop?

1. What new thing would you like to experiment with?

Some of us are getting back to work in an office, others continue working from home or in a hybrid model.

How do your teams feel about it? As a project leader, you don't necessarily have the power to change the organizational rules, but you must advocate for your teams.

How were your projects impacted last year? Did you take the time to discuss this with your teams?

Uncertainty, fear and grief might be part of our lives for some months. During this outbreak, we all have learned that work can be done differently and still in a very efficient manner. HHHow can we smooth the work of our teams and colleagues? Shall we reduce the length of meetings and/or reduce the number of meetings? Should we stop having meetings at 6 p.m. on Fridays?

Don't refrain from having big goals, even if it looks ridiculous. You have the right to want to challenge yourself and be ambitious. What new things would you like to try this year?

2. How are you developing your network and meeting new people?

In the Harvard Business Review article “Learn from People, Not Classes,” the writers share this important observation: “The most successful leaders we know learn differently: by tapping into what we call network intelligence.”

Some of you may think that remote work reduces the possibility of meeting new people. Plus, the pandemic has uncovered a strong desire to relate to people differently.

This is what happened to me: I’m more open to video calls than before. What about you? Reach out to the newcomer, even if she is not part of your team, to exchange pleasantries and learn more. Were you were contacted on LinkedIn by a stranger for a question about project management, or did you get a good comment in one of your posts? Write to the person to find out more.

Are there some communities at work you can join? A project management community? Do you take part in extra work activities? What about organizing a virtual coffee break or a tea gathering?

Don’t limit your network to your work colleagues or people only in your field. Take the opportunity of a training/virtual event to meet new people.

That’s how personal growth occurs—through human interactions to feed your mind and get new perspectives.

3. What thing do you need to stop?

There are many reasons to stop an activity. Perhaps you lost interest. Perhaps you don’t have time anymore. Maybe you don't feel at ease in the team, or the requirements and workload of the activity do not fit with your timetable.

Stopping isn't a synonym for failure or lack of perseverance. It's better to be honest with yourself and avoid frustrations that can burst out.

Acting on this will leave you more time to try out something new. By stepping back, you'll begin the year in a more positive mood and with confidence. Accept that you can't control everything.

How do you define your objectives for the coming year? Share your comments below.