The end of the year is a paradox—it feels like a race to the finish and the perfect time to pause. But pausing, not racing, is what sets you up for success in the year ahead. But before you clear your desk, consider this: a thoughtful quarterly review isn’t just about assessing the past—it’s about rediscovering what drives you and setting yourself up for a purposeful start to the new year.

Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Rewards

Success isn’t just about recognition from others; it’s also about what resonates with you on a personal level. A quarterly review helps you uncover intrinsic motivators—the sense of accomplishment when you solve a tough problem, the pride in your creative work, or the satisfaction of seeing a project through to completion. Remember that time you tackled that nearly impossible deadline and nailed it? Those quiet wins are often the ones that keep us going.

Extrinsic rewards like promotions and praise are important, but intrinsic rewards are what sustain you. They remind you why you do what you do and help you stay committed, even when external recognition feels slow to come.

“Intrinsic motivation is conducive to creativity: controlling extrinsic motivation is detrimental to creativity.”

— - Daniel H. Pink

Reflection as a Source of Motivation

Once you’ve identified what truly drives you, reflection becomes the tool to harness that motivation and build momentum. By revisiting your recent achievements, challenges, and even setbacks, you’re not just “looking back.” You’re building a foundation for future growth. Questions to consider:

What’s the one thing you did this quarter that made you think, ‘I can’t believe I pulled that off’?
What challenge had you second-guessing yourself but ended up teaching you something invaluable?

These aren’t just questions—they’re tools for momentum. By revisiting your experiences, you’re not just cataloguing the past. You’re uncovering the patterns and strengths that can guide your next steps.

Aligning Goals with Values

Let’s face it—goals don’t always age well. What felt urgent in January might feel irrelevant now. That’s okay! The point of reflection isn’t to cling to outdated aspirations but to adjust your focus in a way that feels true to you.

Ask yourself:

Do your goals still light you up? Or are they starting to feel like someone else’s checklist?
What have I learned about myself this year that might shift my priorities?
What opportunities or ideas are sparking my curiosity for the year ahead?

When your goals align with your values, they stop feeling like a burden. They become a roadmap to a career that’s not just successful but meaningful.

End-of-Year Perspective

Instead of rushing toward January, take a moment to pause and recalibrate. Use your quarterly review to:

Pinpoint the moments that fueled your passion this year and use them to ignite your next steps.
Reflect on the impact of your work—not just on your career but on others.
Treat yourself to a reward that feels right, whether it’s a quiet moment of acknowledgement or a well-earned celebration.

Then, shift your focus forward:

What strengths do you want to build on next year?
How can you align your work more closely with what motivates you most?
What’s one small but meaningful action you can take now to start next year strong?

Reflection isn’t just looking back—it’s about figuring out what’s next and getting excited about it. Reconnecting with the “why” behind your work creates space for meaningful progress ahead.

If you wish to dive deeper into an end of year review then check out these downloadable options from my shop:

The Appraisal Preparation Workbook - You get a holistic exploration of the past and future, including your well-being and thinking habits. I include negotiation tips and templates to help you gather facts, gain confidence, and plan.
Year-End Reflections and New Year Intentions - take stock of the past year and be more intentional about the next with 22 questions on the previous year, and 21 questions for the year ahead.

PS: This article is part of an email series explaining the weekly leadership questions in the Architect’s Leadership Journal. Why I included it, and how you can think about it. You can join this email series here.