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The Magic of Quarterly Reviews

And just like that, the first quarter is over! Coinciding with the Easter break, you may have reached the first Quarterly Review in the Architect's Leadership Journal. This journal section will jog you into some insights and remind you of the goals you set at the front of the journal.

Already, insightful reflections have emerged:

"What is the challenge for me right now?" Ah, such a good question, as it makes me think: "What got me here won't get me there."

"My average stress level is 7/10. But, my insight is that it may not truly reflect the stress I experienced. Maybe my "stress dial" is cranked up way too high, and I need to recalibrate! I'm going to consciously dial it down by three points (a seven now equals a four!) to see if I feel less stressed as a result."

"I had to think hard about my key successes - I'd forgotten them already. It is good to remind myself that progress has been made!"

"Revisiting the goal wheel exercise is a wake-up call, as I have done NOTHING about my bigger goals. This is the kickstart I need to prioritise them."

Remember, research says taking time to reflect on our work improves job performance in the long run. However, the quarterly review is more than reflection; it's also a call to action. Have you had a chat—informal or otherwise—with your line manager this year? Your review or appraisal shouldn't be a once-a-year exercise. Love them or loathe them, make them ferequent. They are essential if you want to invest in your career and get clear on how to move up.

Here are three reasons why quarterly reviews are essential to your career:

  1. Celebrate Your Achievements: We don't take enough time to pat ourselves on the back and acknowledge and be grateful for what we have done right. Doing this boosts confidence and is vital for overall well-being and motivation.

  2. Reveal Opportunities for Improvement: Reflecting on successes allows you to pinpoint the areas for improvement. This sets the stage for prioritising and implementing even small changes to habits and enhancing our work.

  3. Re-Examine Your Goals: Quarterly reviews provide the chance to reassess goals. Are they still relevant? Has the scope shifted? Are there new priorities? If they no longer serve their purpose, it's time to update the Goal wheel.

"When we stop, reflect, and think about learning, we feel a greater sense of self-efficacy. We're more motivated and we perform better afterward." - Francesca Gino, HBR

The magic of quarterly reviews is that they provide momentum that extends well into the future, propelling us forward with renewed focus and determination. Try not to skip this one, as you might be amazed at the insights you gain!

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.