What Did Your Year-End Review Really Cost You?

As we close out 2025 and step into 2026, there's a good chance many of you recently had a year-end review. These aren't always bad—they can be a great measure of what you actually accomplished throughout the year, where you may want to grow in 2026, and an opportunity to evaluate your current role. What do you—or don't you—like about it?

If we never get feedback or truly review where we were and where we ended up, how do we determine growth? This is an opportunity to look into areas for improvement and create a plan to achieve new goals.

Maybe you had a great review that came with a pay increase and a bonus. If you have quality leadership, there should not have been any surprises at all. The conversation really should have been a follow-up from previous conversations to close out the year.

But what if your leadership isn't quality?

When we have poor leadership, year-end reviews can come as a complete surprise. You worked harder than you did any other year. You put in more time than was ever expected of you. You completed all of your goals (and did a good job doing them)—and yet the feedback you received blindsided you.

Have you ever left a year-end review and asked yourself: What did that actually cost me?

Did you miss events with your family? Did you spend your weekends recovering just so you'd have some energy by Monday? Did you find that by the end of the year, your health suffered month over month?

If that sounds like you—was the end result worth it?

Conduct Your Own Year-End Review

When you break down where you were in January 2025 compared to now—what changed?

• Did any of your relationships suffer?

• Are you burned out?

• Do you spend ages at night trying to fall asleep?

• Do you wake up in a panic because you remembered that task you were supposed to complete?

• Does Saturday afternoon roll around and all you can think is, "Ugh, I have to go back to that place Monday,"never really enjoying your weekend?

A year-end review is an opportunity for your employer to assess your work and contribution to their mission. But what about you?

Did you miss out on events because you had to put out yet another fire at work due to their poor planning or lack of efficiencies within the company? Did you work so hard that you literally worked yourself sick, only to be told you "simply met expectations" because "exceeded expectations" is reserved for only a small number of people?

Ask Yourself: What Did My Job Cost Me in 2025?

• Was there an even exchange in compensation for the work you put out?

• Did you get acknowledgment for your work?

• Did your manager tell you your idea wasn't a good fit for the department, only to announce it as their brilliant idea a few months later?

If any of this sounds like you, odds are you're a high achiever who takes pride in your work. And if you're in a workplace where your efforts are recognized and rewarded accordingly, that's amazing.

But… if this is at all familiar, odds are you're in a toxic workplace that wants to keep you exactly where you are because it's convenient. You do the job well. You'll sacrifice yourself for the good of the business. You're simply too hard to replace—so instead of rewarding you, they'll give you poor reviews and withhold opportunities to keep you stuck.

What You Can Do in 2026

If that's your workplace, assess your review and act accordingly in 2026.

• Work the hours you are paid for.

• Determine if giving your feedback is even worth it.

• Did someone tell you your idea sucked and then present it as their own? Call them out.

This is also a great opportunity for you to determine how your manager or employer did in 2025. Just as they will do what is necessary for the company, you can do what is necessary for you to thrive.

You deserve to enter 2026 protecting your energy, your health, and your well-being. If your workplace isn't serving you, it's time to make a change—whether that's setting boundaries, speaking up, or finding somewhere that actually values what you bring.

2026 is your year to stop sacrificing yourself for a job that doesn't appreciate you.