It’s hard to believe that this OP issue is our last one for 2024. Time flies!

The final quarter of the year is typically a busy one in health care, and the sprint to the end can feel even faster when we factor in the upcoming holiday season.

Reflecting on the year behind us

It is also the time of year when many organizations start to think about performance reviews. Whether your practice adopts a structured review process or something less formal, taking a little time now to think about your accomplishments will help you have the most productive conversations when you have the opportunity to meet with your supervisor. When we are focused on our day jobs, it can be too easy to forget some of the achievements we have made along the way.

How to be better next year

In addition to reflecting on the past, it is just as important to consider how we can make even more impact going forward. Here are a few questions that might help you get started:

• What am I most proud of? How did this achievement impact the practice?
• How did I model first-class patient care throughout the year? What did I do that stands out across the team?
• How did I support my team and supervisor? What examples can I share that demonstrate how I work well as part of a team and that I do everything I can to support my supervisor?
• What could I do even better? Using examples from the year, how could I have handled situations even more effectively? What (if any) additional resources or support would be required for me to deliver greater impact on patient care or any other aspect of the practice?
• What am I most looking forward to next year? What opportunities might there be for my continued development? How can I get started on one or more of those (remembering to prioritize my current responsibilities and available capacity)?

When our day-to day is so busy, it really can be very motivational to reflect on some key highlights from the year and plans for the next one. Who knows — our usual great line-up of articles this month might inspire you.
Enjoy the read! OP 

Judy Williams, Co-Editor, president and CEO of BSM Consulting, has more than 30 years of leadership experience gained in the United Kingdom, Asia, and the United States. Prior to BSM Consulting, she spent much of her career in sales and marketing roles within the pharmaceutical industry.