As we begin the new year, it’s a perfect time to reflect and evaluate your progress so far. Many of us are familiar with New Year’s resolutions, but have you ever considered a self-assessment as part of that process?
Napoleon Hill, in his classic book Think and Grow Rich, recommends conducting an honest self-assessment at the end of each year. He provides 26 thought-provoking questions to help you measure your progress, which are outlined in Chapter 7 of his book.
The idea is to compare your answers year after year, identifying areas of improvement and success. This creates accountability, boosts your confidence, and helps you focus on how to capitalize on strengths and address areas that need growth in the year ahead.
For the financial advisors I coach, this approach is incredibly valuable. That’s why, every year, they reclassify clients to see how their client base has improved, and use that insight to improve both service and business strategies.
Here are just a few of Napoleon Hill’s self-assessment questions to consider:
- Have I attained the goal I set as my primary objective for this year?
- Have I delivered service at the highest quality possible? Could I have improved any part of it?
- Have I allowed procrastination to reduce my efficiency? If so, to what extent?
- Have I been persistent in following through on my plans?
- Have I remained open-minded and tolerant on all subjects?
- If I were a client purchasing my own services, would I be satisfied with the value I received?
Taking time to reflect on these questions can be a game-changer for your personal and professional growth. This process not only encourages progress but also helps you reset your mindset and sharpen your focus for the year ahead.
One of the most rewarding aspects of leading Pareto Mastermind groups is helping participants regularly assess their progress and stay on track for continuous improvement. If you’re looking to elevate your business and set more focused, actionable goals, this could be exactly what you need.
