Beginning a new year without understanding and learning from the previous year can set us up for repeat mistakes or additional frustration. 

To make the new year successful, we want to wrap up the previous year effectively. 

• It has been three years since COVID was declared a global pandemic. Three years ago, we all expected our lives to return to normal in months. Many things have changed, but have these changes been good for us individually and professionally? 

Did our supply chain improve and return to expectations? If not, why not?

• Why are our food, commodities, materials, and travel costs rising? Will we see an improvement in inflation? Are we headed for a recession?
• Why is there (was there) a shortage of medications and food?
• Is there confidence that shortages will improve? (Semiconductors, medicine, food, vehicles, etc.)

Did our careers thrive? Did our personal lives thrive? 

• How did we manage our mental health?
• Is our career on track, and do we feel confident we will succeed?
• Are marginalized groups thriving?
• Is remote work the answer long-term? How do we know what will work for our business and individually? Can it be sustained? 

Did technology help or hinder our lives and career?

• Did new technology meet our expectations? 
• Did our existing technology work for us through the challenges?

We cannot answer all these questions, and there are so many more questions we need to ask. What we can do is start the conversation.