By Corey Daxon, President
As the year draws to a close, December brings a natural pause in our career planning.
We review budgets, analyze key performance indicators, and often start outlining goals for the new year.
But as you engage in this annual review, how often do you stop and celebrate your career successes?
If your answer is “not often enough,” you are not alone.
In our fast-paced careers, the moment a significant project is completed, the focus immediately shifts to the next deadline, challenge, or promotion.
We treat our achievements like stepping stones, immediately moving forward without ever looking back to admire the path we’ve taken.
The Hidden Value of Pausing to Celebrate
This year-end reflection period offers the perfect opportunity to change that habit.
Stepping back and realizing, “I have had some real career successes,” is not an exercise in vanity.
It’s a powerful tool for career management and personal well-being.
1. It Reinforces Your Identity and Value
When you list your achievements, you are collecting evidence of your own professional competence.
Did you lead a successful team? Save a major account? Master a difficult new skill?
Celebrating these moments solidifies your self-perception as a valuable professional.
This self-assurance can help you tackle future challenges without the doubt that can come from constantly focusing on the “next big thing” you haven’t yet achieved.
2. It Provides Fuel for Future Growth
Burnout often happens when we feel like we’re always running on a treadmill.
Taking time to celebrate your wins, whether it’s a major promotion or simply navigating a tough year, allows you to refuel.
Success breeds momentum. By acknowledging the wins you have had this past year, you tap into a motivation that is stronger than the pressure of a looming deadline.
When you plan for the new year, your goals won’t be based on what you need to do, but on an energized desire to build upon your proven track record.
3. It Prepares You for Opportunity
How often have you been caught off guard when a networking connection or interviewer asks, “What’s your proudest professional accomplishment?”
If you haven’t taken the time to clearly articulate and internalize your successes, you’ll fumble for an answer.
Regularly reviewing your wins, especially in December, ensures you have a ready inventory of powerful, specific stories.
Celebration is the best form of preparation. It keeps your resume bullet points sharp, and your interview answers compelling.
Your December Action Plan: The “Career Success Audit”
Don’t let your December review be purely transactional. Use this time to conduct a Career Success Audit:
- List Your Top 5: Grab a piece of paper or open a document and list your top 5 professional achievements from the past year.
- Describe the “Why”: For each achievement, briefly note why you are proud of it. Was it the difficulty of the task? The impact on the company? The personal growth involved?
- Share the Story (Optional, but Recommended): Share one of these wins with a trusted mentor, friend, or partner. Simply telling the story out loud is a powerful way to acknowledge it.
- Give Yourself a Break: Schedule a moment of literal celebration. It doesn’t have to be a party. It could be a peaceful coffee break, a new book purchase, or simply an hour of guilt-free downtime.
In the rush to become the professional we want to be, let’s make a commitment to honour the professional we already are.
This December, stop focusing only on the road ahead.
Look back, admire how far you’ve come, and feel genuine pride in your career success. You’ve earned it.