Written by: Loren M. Hill, Ph.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychology and Principal of Acclivity Consulting
AABLI alumna, Class #6
Summer is the season for mid-year reviews. For many of us, that may mean mid-year job performance reviews, or perhaps our summer portfolio review. If we are serving on boards, we may be reviewing the mid-year performance of our organizations. Whatever it is, we’re familiar with the process and we have the skills to critically analyze goals, strategies and performance at macro and micro levels. So this is a good time to apply your skills to your personal mid-year review.
What should such a review include? Consider one, some or all of the following: career, personal, service, finance, health (physical, mental and emotional). What’s the focus? Goals. If you set goals, you can check in with yourself to determine your progress. If you did not set goals, consider using this time to create a few.
While you’re at it, be thoughtful about the quantifiable metric you will use to evaluate your goals. If you need a guide for goal setting, consider using SMART goals (https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/smart-goals.htm).SMART goals are relatively well known and can be useful. An equally useful goal guide, created by [indicate her profession here] Carrie Wilson, is G.R.E.A.T. For her clients, Carrie approaches goal setting from a flexible mindset: Genuine, Reachable, Exact, Achievable, and Totalitarian (https://eyesontheprizebook.com). Devise a way to clearly measure your goals and to measure goal attainment.
You may want to start with your AABLI review. What were your goals when you decided to participate in AABLI? Did it have to do with career? Or perhaps it was service. Have you achieved those goals? You may want to review the following areas: Performance, Skill attainment/enhancement, Feedback.
Consider asking someone to partner with you in your review. Finding the right partner will depend on the type of feedback you are seeking. Review your network to determine the most beneficial partnership. Peers, coaches, mentors, sponsors, trusted friends and your AABLI network can provide you with various perspectives; they are all invested in your success and will be happy to support you.
I personally encourage you to add to your AABLI goal by increasing your engagement. Here are a few suggestions:
- Attend one AABLI event before the end of this year. Contact the staff for schedule updates.
- Join the AABLI social media networks. Follow and engage.
- Update AABLI staff on what you are doing. We all like to celebrate successes and hearing about our AABLI members’ accomplishments is inspiring.
- Let others know about AABLI.Board Leadership Programs occur bi-annually. Other trainings and engagement opportunities occur throughout the year.
Summer’s here and the time is right to dive into your personal mid-year review, apply your evaluation skills, set your goals and reflect on your accomplishments. Enjoy!
This blog is not written by aabli.org or The African American Board Leadership Institute. The author is solely responsible for the content.