NOT to set objectives for next year/do a debrief of the year

[Janefromgreenlane]

’Tis the season… Many of my LinkedIn contacts are posting glossy lists of their achievements and learnings from this year, along with their impressively strategic objectives for next year. I’m not doing that—and honestly, I find a lot of it to be bull…
My year was fine, but nothing to be particularly chuffed about. I work full time: 50% as a lecturer and 50% as a freelancer. My income is very average for London, my age (48), and my level of experience and education—around £50k a year.
From January to September, I tried to move into a managerial role. I had around 15 interviews, but either I didn’t get the job or the salary on offer was simply too low.
I have three teenage children, whom I support as much as I can—academically (including tutoring them in my subject), emotionally, and practically: taking the youngest to activities, etc. My husband works long hours, so I handle most of the family logistics: holidays, dental appointments, kids’ schedules, shopping, etc.
As the year ends, I feel drained. What I really want is a week on the sofa, watching TV and eating chocolates.
So I find myself wondering: do I lack ambition and drive? Should I be thinking harder about earning more, putting more aside for retirement, paying off the mortgage faster, etc., etc.?
Or am I just… a lazy woman?

Of course YANBU.

Do what works for you. Personally, I find reviewing the year and setting objectives is quite an enjoyable and helpful process. I like Year Compass as a tool (it's free). But if it's isn't for you that's absolutely fine. It's an optional activity for those who want to, like golf or scrapbooking.

I think people who share their review /goals on social media are...not my kind of people though.

Thanks for your post - whenever I see a post like that, I have mixed feelings...

I think some people are just motivated by constantly striving for the next goal, and others just prefer to take things as they come. I do like to look back on the year and think if there’s anything I’ve done this year to make my life better - which could be a work project but could easily also be decorating a room and have a rough think about what I’d like to have done by this time next year. But putting it on LinkedIn is cringeworthy, up there with referring to yourself in the third person.

I once heard LinkedIn described as Facebook for Narcissists which I think sums it up perfectly. I occasionally read some industry related articles but scroll past the self absorbed bullshit.
If you post your achievements you’re only going to appeal to other people who do that so it’s up to you. I choose not to.
Edited to add, I’ve had a great year professionally and the people who matter know that. Who else needs to know?

You sound perfectly normal to me (am 45 and completely unambitious). Enjoy your TV and chocolates!

'Many of my LinkedIn contacts are posting glossy lists of their achievements and learnings from this year, along with their impressively strategic objectives for next year.'

I'm cringing for every single one of them. Not for reviewing their year and setting objectives for next year, but for bragging about it in social media! I like a bit of review and planning myself but I keep it under my hat, and wouldn't expect anyone else to give a fig

Lying on the couch and forgetting about work is more than reasonable by the way!

Thank you! I find these post cringeworthy too, but every other person writes them these days!

Linkedin version of a round robin?

I too am cringing for every single one of them…..

I think can be helpful personally but posting it for all to see us super cringy. Agree with PP. LI is a weird space now with lots of grifters, the worst is when people claim their children said really wise things which magically apply to the corporate world (unless maybe my kids just aren't as sage like mini management consultants).

Sounds like you do a lot already, two different jobs essentially and 3 teens!! If you did want to continue to pursue moving into managerial role might be helpful to look for a mentor or career coach to shoot for higher salaried roles. They could help you tighten up re. Interview prep etc. It's whether for a slightly higher salary it's worth the sacrifice especially when you're doing a lot of the heavy lifting at home.

You sound similar to me OP! I'm a couple of years older than you and earn a couple of £k more. My DH works long hours and I provide emotional support to our three DC (two at secondary school and one away at uni) plus driving to activities, cooking dinner etc. I also tried for a promotion this year and didn't get it.

I am very quiet on social media so I certainly won't be posting the kind of things you're talking about, but to be fair, I think that some people have to do that kind of thing to keep their profile active (depending on what job they do).

I will be having a little personal reflection about the year ahead. I think that's pretty normal (hence the popularity of New Year's resolutions) but it's fine if that's not for you.

You definitely don't sound lazy! You have a lot on your plate with work, kids etc. You just sound.... normal.

I have friends who do look backs on their year, set goals, etc. I don't. I have broad ambitions but they develop throughout the year and are not always work related, more like my life evolves over the months and years and I know if there's anything to focus on next. It would be one more thing to do and working full time, with kids, one with SEN, I have enough 'shoulds' already in my life. At this time of year I need to focus on having energy, not wanting energy, and this type of activity would unbalance me.