A colleague and good friend of mine periodically will say, “So, let’s review.” It causes us to pause what we’re doing, look up and get our bearings. Before this year escapes you, this is a good time for you to review also. But let’s focus your consideration.

 A partner once told me that when he attends a continuing education seminar, he doesn’t expect to gain as much as when he was younger. He’s gotten over the fact that he’s not going to have the exponential learning experiences he once had. Now, if he can walk away with just one thing that will make him better, he feels like the seminar was worthwhile.

 The same is true as you develop your professionalism. Each year, if you could leave the year having learned one thing that will make you better, you’ve gained over the year. Otherwise, all you did is repeat the year prior and this year was a waste in terms of growing as a professional.

 So, if you could identify one thing you learned about yourself that has made you stronger or better, what would it be? This requires you to think more than a couple of seconds, come up with nothing, and put it off until later “when you have more time,” which you’ll never have and you’ll never do.

 Here are some comments my clients have told me.

 “I learned that I accomplish so much more by touching (or reading) something once, then deciding what to do with it, rather than put it in a pile to consider later. My to-do pile is smaller and I’m more responsive.”

 “My direct approach to things is sometimes misread by others to mean I’m not open to their thinking or interested in continuing the conversation. I’ve taken more responsibility for how I come across.”

 “Just because I don’t like conflict, there are times when I just have to step up and deal with unpleasant things. I now know how to prepare myself and am more willing to effectively confront when necessary.”

 So, what was your learning in 2010? And how have you changed?