As we come closer to finishing the year, it’s natural for us to start assessing the outcomes of 2024. How did our organization’s financials look for the year? What did I accomplish on my 2024 New Year’s resolution list? How much impact on my community did I have this year? Which relationships did I invest time in and build more connection in 2024? We all have a variety of yearend outcomes we can analyze.

Does the focus solely on outcomes though make sense? Of course we want outcomes to match what we’re striving for. But there’s more to the story than just outcomes. A more telling way to analyze not just the impact of 2024 but a sign of what’s to come in 2025 is the how to what has happened this year.

How did we fight through obstacles in 2024? How did we strengthen our mindset in 2024? How did we build relationships in 2024?

The what will always matter but often this what only gives us a snapshot of short term success. Adding in the how broadens the lens to showcase whether our outcomes came from doing the rights things for a more sustainable future.

If we reach our sales results at the cost of trust with some of our stakeholders, we’ll only see short-term success. If we choose to only chase challenges that are easily achievable, our outcomes may look good, but our growth can be stunted. When we look to improve our community, if success is at the cost of marginalizing another community, is this really the long-term outcome we desire?

The what matters but never lose sight of the how. How we accomplished what we did in 2024 tells a more important story of the behaviors we’re building for our future. The how is a better determinant of whether we’re on a path of short-term success or a more sustained path of success because we are focusing on the right behaviors.

Take your step: as you reflect on 2024 during the next month, go beyond just whether you achieved a goal or not. Add in the analysis of how you achieved it (or didn’t achieve it). What were the behaviors that helped propel your growth in 2024? What lessons learned will you carry forward for future success? Identify the how to your 2024 to better understand what momentum you have moving forward for success in 2025.