Join Us In Reviewing Lessons Learned for 2008 to Create a Better Future
Lessons Learned - Even on the coldest of days, there is tremendous beauty
We set up the second Wednesday in December for reviewing lessons learned. While most people focus on goal setting and resolutions at the beginning of the new year, we find it helps us to spend some time before we jump into that mode by focusing on the lessons we learned in the past year. We analyze just how well we did in meeting our biggest goals for the year, and determine what we could and should be doing differently to achieve better results going forward.
With the challenges we are facing worldwide, the inclination to review the past year is more urgent than ever. Reviewing the events of 2008 will help create meaningful change in 2009. Plus, life is a series of projects, and Lessons Learned is a critical step in all projects; it’s where you review what you learned doing your project so you can determine what to do differently – and how – on your next project to achieve better results.
Here are the top three lessons we learned for the year and how you can participate in lessons learned day with us:
1. When You Show Up and Participate, Good Things Happen (Participate in our lessons learned survey). We have a special “thank you” once you fill out the survey.
2. By Helping Others Find Success, You Find Success (Download our Free Lessons Learned Template). You can also take our online Lessons Learned Course and earn 2 PDUs.
3. Just by listening you join the conversation. (Hear our podcast on lessons learned day). In the Podcast, we reference a special thank you with the online course – PM of Holiday Parties.
December 10th, 2008 at 10:02 am
My top three lessons learned:
Validate your assumptions
If you are confidentially told something illegal or unethical, contact your attorney for advice – you cannot keep it quiet.
If it’s quiet, it doesn’t mean nothing’s happening; it usually means folks are working like crazy to keep it that way.
December 15th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Thanks for the Lessons Learned Template.
I thought I would pass on to you what I have been developing as a workshop.
Ground Rules
Keep an open mind
Have fun
As the end of the year approaches, it’s important to close-out the old year properly. This is as important as the planning that you are advised to do for the year coming up.
First do this as an individual but this certainly can be done jointly with others.
Things to have as resource:
Calendar
Budget
To-do List
Journal/diary
Personal mission / purpose statement
Day-Timer
What bad things happened?
What good things happened?
Where should you have spent more time – less time?
How does this past year compare to previous years?
What lessons have you learned?
What would you like to do to finish up the year on a high note?
What if anything got in your way?
What decisions should have not been put off or delayed?
What help you make it a better year than you thought it would be?
What things are keeping you up at night?
What major tasks do you need to do to finish up the year?
• Financial (personally or business)
• Physical
• Family/relationships
• Social
• Health
• Educational
• Spiritual
• Career
What goals and/or resolutions did I have and where are you on them?
Who do I need to make contact with?
What goals do I need to set for next year?
How had I done this year?
What do I need to leave behind?
What do I need to keep doing?
First is to get everything out on the table. After that, then we can judge and remove what does not fit as well as plan for the new year. I recommend you do this process throughout the year so that there isn’t a last-minute rush to complete your year-end closing tasks.
December 16th, 2008 at 4:47 am
Thank you Garth for sharing that. Is there a website where people can learn more about you or an email address where they can contact you if they would like more information?