One Reflect and Learn from the Past Year
Peak performers begin by taking stock of their achievements and challenges from the previous year. This reflective process helps identify areas for improvement and set realistic goals.
As we begin a new year, it’s tempting to dive straight into goals and ambitions, to focus on what we want to achieve. But before we rush ahead, let’s pause and reflect. A strong start doesn’t begin with doing more—it begins by letting go of what held you back last year.
Think about it. What are you carrying from last year that no longer serves you? Is it fear? Self-doubt? Unhealthy habits or toxic relationships? Perhaps it’s the weight of unmet expectations or the belief that you’re not capable of more. These things don’t just occupy space in your mind; they drain your energy and block your path forward.
Letting go isn’t easy. It requires courage to face what’s been holding you back, and strength to release it. But remember this: you cannot grab hold of the future while clinging to the past. Growth demands that you make space for it.
This year, make a choice to release what no longer aligns with your purpose. Forgive yourself for past mistakes, and leave behind the doubts that whisper you can’t. Replace them with habits that empower you, thoughts that uplift you, and people who inspire you.
A strong start isn’t about perfection; it’s about beginning with freedom and clarity. When you let go of what weighs you down, you’ll discover how much lighter—and stronger—you can be.
A study from Harvard Business Review found that individuals who reflect on their work improve their performance by 23%. This underscores the importance of pausing to analyze successes and setbacks.
For example, while reviewing 2024, we discovered the need to rebrand one of our flagship interventions from Rock 2025 Like A CHAMPION to The Kickoff Summit. We also provided a free self-assessment tool to reflect and learn from the past year. This is to facilitate the pursuit of our commitment to provide an empirical framework that will enable top performers in the markeplace to achieve a highly productive year.
Call To Action: Dedicate time to journaling key accomplishments, lessons learned, and areas for growth. Use this information to inform your goal-setting process. You can visit www.kickoffsummit.com/productivitytool to download the free tool.
2. Embrace a Growth Mindset
A growth mindset—the belief that abilities can be developed through dedication and effort—is essential for starting the year strong. Chairman & Founder of Troyka Holdings, Dr. Biodun Shobanjo’s leadership exemplifies this mindset, fostering a culture of learning and innovation across all the businesses in the group. Research by Carol Dweck indicates that individuals with a growth mindset achieve more success and resilience compared to those with a fixed mindset.
Call To Action: Challenge yourself to learn a new skill or tackle a project outside your comfort zone. Regularly seek feedback to accelerate growth. Ensure your team embrace same.
3. Establish a Feedback Loop
Continuous improvement requires regular feedback. Peak performers actively seek input from peers, mentors, and supervisors to refine their strategies. For example, Prof. Adewale Peter Obadare, Chief Visionary Officer of DigitalEncode Limited implemented a philosophy that encourage teams to operate as though they are always at the start of their journey, with a focus on learning and improvement. A Gallup survey found that employees who receive regular feedback are 3.6 times more engaged than those who do not.
Call To Action: Schedule monthly check-ins with key stakeholders to gather feedback and adjust your goals and strategies accordingly.
4. Build Strategic Relationships
Networking and building meaningful relationships are integral to success. Peak performers leverage their networks to gain insights, collaborate on opportunities, and expand their influence. For example, when I interviewed Yinka Adebayo, Group Executive Director, Ominicom Media Group, West & Central Africa, on our flagship radio show (Becoming The Peak Performer on Inspiration FM), he said that “every assignment/project should be an opportunity to expand and deepend your network. He further added that “maintaining a strong professional network, built solely on VALUE, is the cornerstone of career growth”. A report by LinkedIn shows that 85% of jobs are filled through networking, emphasizing the importance of strategic connections.
Call To Action: Dedicate time each week to reaching out to mentors, colleagues, or new connections. Consider joining professional groups or attending industry events to expand your network.
5. Leverage Technology for Productivity
Peak performers use technology to streamline tasks and enhance efficiency. Tools like Calendly, Canva and Microsoft Teams help organize your day, manage projects, content creation and foster collaboration. For instance, Dr. Markie Idowu, Group CEO of Xpress Payment is known for using shared digital calendars to optimize her time. A study by McKinsey Global Institute found that productivity tools can increase efficiency by up to 25%.
Call To Action: Audit your current productivity tools and adopt one new app or software to improve your workflow. Invest time in learning its features to maximize its potential.
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About Dr. Abiola Salami
Dr. Abiola Salami is the Convener of Dr Abiola Salami International Leadership Bootcamp ; The Peak PerformerTM Festival Made4More Accelerator Program and The New Year Kickoff Summit. He is the Principal Performance Strategist at CHAMP – a full scale professional services firm trusted by high performing business leaders for providing Executive Coaching, Workforce Development & Advisory Services to improve performance. You can reach his team on [email protected] and connect with him @abiolachamp on all social media platforms.
