Career • Year-End Planning

Your End-of-Year Career Checklist

Six strategic steps to close this year strong and set yourself up for next year's wins

By Corporate Curly Editorial Team • Updated December 2024

December is here.

You're juggling year-end reviews, unfinished projects, and holiday plans. Everyone's asking what you accomplished this year. You're wondering how to articulate your wins without sounding like you're reading a corporate press release.

Here's the truth: Most people close out the year reactively—scrambling to finish tasks, showing up unprepared to year-end reviews, and starting January with no clear plan.

The end of the year isn't just about wrapping up loose ends. It's strategic groundwork—documenting wins while they're fresh, setting boundaries before burnout hits, and planning next year's growth before the calendar resets.

This checklist gives you six concrete steps to close the year with clarity and confidence. No vague advice about "reflecting" or "setting intentions." Just actionable tasks that protect your career trajectory.

The Six-Step Year-End Framework

Work through these systematically. Each builds on the last.

Document Your Wins (Before You Forget)

Your year-end review is coming. Your manager won't remember everything you did—and neither will you if you wait until the last minute. Document now while details are fresh.

List every major project you completed this year
Quantify impact wherever possible (revenue, time saved, processes improved)
Note challenges you overcame and skills you developed
Save positive feedback emails in a dedicated folder
Screenshot Slack praise or team recognition
Document any additional responsibilities you took on

Reflection Prompt:

What's one accomplishment this year that surprised you? Write down why it matters.

Triage Your Unfinished Business

You have tasks that won't get done before year-end. That's reality. The goal isn't finishing everything—it's making strategic decisions about what to complete, delegate, or postpone.

List all outstanding tasks and projects
Mark which are truly urgent vs. can wait until January
Identify what can be delegated to teammates
Communicate timelines to stakeholders now (don't wait until January 2)
Close out old email threads and Slack channels
Archive completed projects so you start fresh

Reality Check:

What's one thing you've been carrying that you can let go of? Give yourself permission to drop it.

Prepare Your Year-End Review

Don't walk into your review unprepared. Your manager has their own interpretation of your year—come armed with yours, backed by specific examples and measurable outcomes.

Write your self-assessment before the official form arrives
Connect each achievement to business impact or team goals
Prepare 2-3 specific examples of leadership or initiative
List skills you developed and training you completed
Note any projects where you exceeded expectations
Prepare your case for promotion or raise (if applicable)

Advocacy Prompt:

If you were recommending yourself for promotion, what would you highlight? Write it down—then use it.

Strengthen Key Relationships

Year-end is prime time for relationship maintenance. A quick thank-you now strengthens connections that benefit your career in the long run.

Send thank-you notes to mentors who provided guidance this year
Acknowledge colleagues who supported your projects
Reconnect with internal contacts you haven't spoken to in months
Schedule coffee with people you want to work with more next year
Update your LinkedIn with this year's accomplishments
Reach out to former colleagues to maintain your broader network

Gratitude Prompt:

Who made your work life easier this year? Tell them specifically how they helped you.

Set Boundaries for Real Rest

You can't start the year strong if you never actually stopped. Protect your time off now—your January self will thank you.

Block PTO days on your calendar and communicate them to your team
Set clear out-of-office messages with no ambiguity about availability
Identify a backup for urgent issues (and define "urgent")
Turn off work notifications during time off
Communicate project timelines that account for your absence
Give yourself permission to actually disconnect

Boundary Prompt:

What's one work habit you need to leave in this year? Commit to not bringing it into January.

Plan Next Year Strategically

January comes fast. Don't wait until you're back at your desk to figure out what you're working toward. Set your direction now.

Identify 2-3 specific professional goals for next year
List skills you want to develop and how you'll learn them
Note relationships you want to build or strengthen
Decide what you want to do more of (and less of)
Set criteria for success—what would make next year a win?
Schedule time in Q1 to revisit and adjust these goals

Vision Prompt:

If next December you're looking back at an excellent year, what happened? Be specific.

Setting Goals That Actually Work

Vague aspirations don't drive action. Here's how to turn "I want to grow" into concrete plans.

The Three-Part Goal Formula

Every effective goal needs three components:

1. The Outcome: What specific result do you want?

2. The Timeline: When will you achieve it?

3. The Proof: How will you know you succeeded?

Example: "Lead a cross-functional project by Q2 that improves team efficiency by 20%"

Three Goal Categories

Balance your focus across these areas:

Skills Goal

What capability do you want to develop? (e.g., public speaking, data analysis, leadership)

Impact Goal

What measurable outcome do you want to drive? (e.g., revenue, process improvement, team growth)

Visibility Goal

How do you want to increase your influence? (e.g., present to leadership, mentor junior team members)

Remember: Goals without quarterly check-ins become forgotten New Year's resolutions. Schedule time in March, June, and September to review progress and adjust course.

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More Career Planning Resources

All Career Strategy Articles Complete workplace navigation archive

Preparing for Your Performance Review How to document impact and advocate for yourself

Setting Career Goals That Matter Moving beyond vague aspirations to concrete plans

Building Your Career Development Plan Strategic framework for long-term growth