Reflection

2023 Reflection

2023 Reflection

Hello everyone! Today, I’m excited to share with you the behind-the-scenes process of how I crafted my LinkedIn year-in-review post. Reflecting on the past year has not only been a journey of self-discovery but also an exercise in articulating my achievements and growth into a cohesive and engaging narrative.

Here’s how I went about it:

1. Introspection and Gathering Thoughts

  • My journey began with introspection. I took a step back to really ponder on the key moments of 2023.
  • From my career shift in January to the pivotal moments of growth and learning, each step was a piece of the puzzle.
  • I jotted down notes, sifted through my calendar, and revisited emails and photos to remind myself of the small victories and significant milestones. Luckily, I now keep a list of Professional Achievements, which made this step much easier!

2. Structuring My Achievements

  • Next, I organized these reflections into a structured format.
  • I realized that the best way to narrate my story was through a timeline approach, making it easy for my audience to follow my journey throughout the year.
  • I divided my year into distinct phases: the initial uncertainty, the burgeoning growth, the notable achievements, and finally, the launch of TortieBear.

3. Crafting My Tone

  • As I wrote, I focused on maintaining a tone that was personal- I want my readers to know who I am.
  • I wanted to ensure that my post provided value to readers, and was not a list of humble brags.
    • Tagging those who helped me in the journey hopefully helped with that and assured readers that I certainly could not have done this all on my own.

4. Highlighting Key Achievements

Some achievements from 2023 stood out more prominently, such as earning an AWS Certification and winning the AWS All Builders Welcome Grant. These deserved special mention and I highlighted these accomplishments to showcase my professional growth.

5. Adding a Call to Action

  • I wrapped up my post with a call to action. Launching TortieBear.com was a big step for me, and I wanted to share this excitement with my network.
  • Inviting others to visit my website and connect with me was not just about sharing my journey, but also about opening doors to new conversations and collaborations.

6. Taking a Moment to Reflect (on the Reflection!)

Finally, at the end of any big task or project, I take a moment to think about what it took to get that thing done.

Often, I could not do it without my support system and the way I self-advocate. My support system gives me priceless feedback and validation, while my self-advocacy opens doors and helps me never lose sight of my worth.

I also acknowledge both the privilege I have to pursue hobbies like this and the support that others have given me to lift me up.

I take time to reflect on the hours and days of work I put into a project and what I learned from them. I think about ways I can apply these new skills to life, my various teams, and my professional development.

I also check in on my burn-out and plan time to relax away from the screen if needed.

Closing Thoughts:

The process of summarizing an entire year into a concise LinkedIn post was challenging, but will help fuel me in the New Year. This exercise was a reminder of how far I’ve come and a testament to the power of self-reflection and storytelling.

I hope this gives you some insight into how to approach your own year-in-review post. Remember, it’s about more than just listing achievements; it’s about telling your story!

Thanks for reading, and here’s to another year of growth and learning! Don’t forget to check out my full LinkedIn post and connect with me to share your stories!