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By Annette Richmond
 If New Year's is a time of fresh starts, then year's end is a time for reflection. Now is the time to review the last year. Congratulate yourself on your accomplishments. Consider what you learned from those experiences that didn't turn out the way you planned.
As this year winds down, make time to think about where you are today and where you'd like to be by the end of next year.
Whether we're building a business or working toward the corner office, we all have something in common: We want to be successful. While our definition of success is likely to be quite different, our desire to achieve our vision of success is the same.
One of the keys to success is having a plan. But, before you begin making plans for the New Year, take a little time to reflect on where you are today. Think about what's been working. And, maybe more importantly, what has not. Here are six ideas to get you started.
Growth - How often have you tried something new? How many times did you step outside your comfort zone? It's easy to keep doing the things we know we do well. It's risky to try something different. But, taking on new challenges is the only way to grow. And developing new skills is a must if you want to move up the ladder or build your business.
Appearance — Is your appearance helping or hindering you? Does your image represent who you are? And who you want to be? Whatever your profession cultivating the right image is essential. But, remember one style doesn't necessarily fit all. The black suit favored by a financial consultant may be too stuffy for a graphic designer. Make sure you're projecting the right image for you.
Reevaluate — Are you doing what you want? Or blindly following the career path you set five or ten years ago? Now is a good time to evaluate where you are and take a look at where you want to go. Are the goals you set last year right for you today? If not, maybe it's time to set some new ones. Time to be sure your efforts are taking you in the right direction.
Follow Through — Did you make any resolutions last year? Take a minute to count how many promises to yourself or others you kept. The first step to getting what you want is creating a concrete plan. But, following through is equally important. Taking action every day is the only way to turn your resolutions into results.
Promote Yourself — How many times this year have you taken credit for your work? Lots of people, women in particular, tend to downplay their efforts. They think that working hard will get them noticed and promotions come to those who wait. The truth is that taking credit for your work will get you noticed. And asking for that raise or promotion is a lot more effective than waiting till it comes your way. Learn to take credit gracefully and ask for what you want.
Renewal — What about "you" time? Most of us take care of others. We make sure our kids eat right. We push our partner to exercise. But, who takes care of us? Make it a point to schedule some time for you every week. Maybe you'll use that time to explore yoga or go shopping at your favorite store (without the kids). Work and family are important, but so are you. It's vital to set aside some time for you to renew.
Make sure you don't let reflection become an exercise in self-bashing. Everyone has missteps along the way. The key is to celebrate your triumphs. Learn from your disappointments. And move on.
Don't forget to savor the relationships you've nurtured over the last year. And remember those you let slip away. The holidays are a great time to reach out to people you've lost touch with, take a minute to wish them well.
If you're honest, evaluating yourself can help you move forward. After all, it's easier to get to where you're going if you know where you are.
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