End-of-year reflections: How to assess your career progress in 2024 (and set goals for 2025)

As 2024 draws to a close, now is the perfect time for a bit of self-reflection, especially regarding your career progress. Taking a step back to assess what you’ve accomplished and where you’ve encountered challenges can provide valuable insights, guiding your goal setting for a more focused and fulfilling 2025.

Reflecting on 2024: A year in review

Reviewing your achievements

Begin by recognising your top 3-5 career achievements this year, no matter the size. Achievements are the foundation of your career progression, so it’s essential to understand what worked well for you in 2024. If you're unsure how to identify your accomplishments, try these methods:

• Speak to your manager or colleagues: Often, others can highlight contributions you might overlook. Ask your manager or colleagues for feedback on your performance and any standout contributions.

• Review your performance reports or self-assessments: Look at any performance reviews, self-assessments, or work reports you completed throughout the year. These often contain concrete examples of achievements, goals met, and skills developed.

• Check your email or calendar: Reviewing your emails or calendar can help you recall significant projects, milestones, or moments where you went above and beyond.

• Reflect on challenges you’ve overcome: Think about any significant challenges or obstacles you encountered and overcame. Problem-solving and resilience are valuable achievements in themselves.

• List new skills or certifications: If you took courses, received training, or gained a certification, include these as achievements—especially if they support your career progression.

Your list of achievements may look like:

1. Successfully leading a project.
2. Developing a new skill, such as project management or data analysis.
3. Building or expanding your professional network.
4. Receiving positive feedback or a performance bonus.
5. Increasing your efficiency or productivity at work.

Assessing challenges & setbacks

Challenges are part of any career journey and can often reveal valuable growth areas. Reflect on moments in 2024 that didn’t go as planned and consider what you learned from each experience. Here are some common career challenges that might resonate:

• Time management issues: Perhaps you found yourself struggling to meet deadlines or felt overwhelmed by your workload.

• Missed networking opportunities: It’s easy to let networking slip, especially when busy, but missed connections can mean missed chances for growth.

• Public speaking challenges: Many professionals find public speaking difficult, but it’s an important skill for career progression.

• Difficulty learning new skills: Some skills take longer to master than expected, and it can be frustrating to not see immediate results.

• Managing conflict in teams: Navigating team dynamics can be challenging, especially when disagreements arise.

These challenges can all serve as positive learning experiences, giving you a foundation for improvement and growth in 2025.

Identifying areas for improvement

Pinpointing areas where you can upskill will guide your career goals and professional development. For each challenge, consider actionable ways to improve and build resilience. Here are some examples:

• Time management: If time management was a challenge, you could try time-blocking techniques or use productivity apps to better organise tasks.

• Networking & relationship building: Set a goal to attend at least two networking events next year or reach out to a new contact monthly. Strengthening your network will expand your career support system and open new opportunities.

• Communication skills: If public speaking or interpersonal communication was difficult, consider joining a public speaking club or seeking opportunities to present in smaller groups to build confidence gradually.

• Mastering new skills: If learning a new skill took longer than expected, allocate more structured study time or break up the skill into smaller components to tackle one at a time.

• Conflict management: To navigate team conflicts more effectively, focus on developing skills in active listening, conflict resolution, and emotional intelligence. Look for workshops or mentorship opportunities to strengthen these abilities.

By turning challenges into clear areas for improvement, you set yourself up for steady career progression and greater resilience in 2025.

Planning for the year ahead

Before diving into what's next, take a moment to celebrate your achievements in 2024. Recognising your hard work, progress, and resilience is an essential part of career growth, so give yourself credit for how far you've come. Celebrating these wins, big or small, reinforces a positive mindset and sets a strong foundation for the year ahead.

As you look toward 2025, consider setting goals that build on your accomplishments while addressing areas for improvement. Effective planning can help ensure that your career continues to progress and align with your long-term vision. Begin by identifying a few key objectives that balance your strengths with opportunities for growth. Focusing on the following three areas can help you create a practical and well-rounded plan for 2025.

Key focus areas for 2025

Soft skill development

Consider identifying 2-3 core soft skills to strengthen in 2025, such as communication, emotional intelligence, or leadership. Developing these interpersonal abilities can be essential for career progression, especially if your goals involve management or team collaboration. Seek mentorship, attend workshops, or practice these skills in real-world scenarios to make meaningful strides in your development.

Technical skill development

If technical expertise is crucial in your role, target a few key areas to build up in 2025. Examples may include developing skills in data analytics, programming, or specialised software. Engaging in an online course, a workshop, or hands-on projects can deepen your knowledge and keep you current with industry demands.

Networking & building relationships

Networking is vital to career growth, so set goals to expand your professional connections. Aim to attend at least two industry conferences, connect with a colleague or peer each month, or foster relationships with mentors. Making networking part of your regular routine will ensure steady career progress and open doors to new opportunities.

Health and wellbeing in career success

Your wellbeing is integral to sustainable career progress. Set achievable wellness goals, like exercising weekly or fully using your annual leave to recharge. Building in time for rest and health-focused activities will keep you motivated and resilient throughout the year.

Setting clear career goals and milestones for the year ahead

Use the SMART goals framework

When it comes to goal setting, applying the SMART framework can help you define clear, actionable objectives:

• Specific – Define what you want to accomplish.

• Measurable – Establish metrics to track your progress.

• Achievable – Ensure your goals are realistic and attainable.

• Relevant – Align goals with your career vision.

• Time-bound – Set deadlines.

For instance, instead of saying “I want a promotion,” try “I want to become a senior manager within the next 12 months by improving my leadership skills and managing a new project.”

Align goals with personal values and career vision

Setting goals that reflect your values will make you more motivated and engaged. Take time to ensure each goal supports both your career aspirations and your personal priorities. For example, if achieving a healthy work-life balance is important, set goals around maintaining boundaries while advancing in your role.

By approaching 2025 with both a clear vision and a structured plan, you’re setting yourself up for a year of intentional progress.

Breaking down goals into actionable steps

To stay on track, break your goals down into quarterly or monthly milestones. For example, if your goal is to lead a new project, set a milestone to initiate the project in Q1 and another to develop project management skills by Q2.

Staying motivated and adjusting goals along the way

Staying accountable

Accountability is key to staying focused on your goals. Whether it’s journaling, partnering with a colleague for mutual support, or setting reminders, find ways to stay committed to your progress.  

Celebrate small wins

Acknowledging small achievements helps maintain motivation and momentum. Celebrate even the small milestones—like finishing a challenging task or receiving positive feedback.

Flexibility in goal setting

Your circumstances may change throughout the year, and so might your goals. Be open to adapting your objectives if a new career opportunity arises, or if life circumstances shift.

Take action and set the foundation for 2025

Reflecting on your career progress and setting clear goals are invaluable steps in shaping your future. Block out time this week to think over your accomplishments and challenges and set the groundwork for a successful 2025. Your future self will thank you.

Start your career progression journey today by checking out our latest vacancies or exploring more career advice.