Reflecting Over This Year

Now is the perfect time to take a moment reflecting over this year.  It may have been a crazy, hectic year for you.  It may not have gone exactly as you had planned but here you are!  Reflecting over this year will help you to set yourself up for success in the new year.  Here are four steps to help you with your reflection process.

Goals

Begin your reflection process by remembering the goals you set for yourself this year.  Take a look at how you did and what progress you made towards your goals.  Maybe you’ve fallen off track or perhaps you’ve crushed it this year.  Think about what worked and what didn’t.  Focus on doing more of what worked and leaving behind what didn’t this year.

Joy

Next, ask yourself what you’re most proud of this year.  This could be a major accomplishment or successfully navigating a challenging situation.  Perhaps it was even just spending time with family and friends to celebrate their success.  Consider what you learned from these moments.  Moments of pride are often your happiest memories.  Take note of what you really enjoyed this year and plan on putting an emphasis on incorporating more of these moments of joy in the new year.

Feelings

Now, describe this year in one to three words.  Maybe that’s difficult, challenging, trying, or exhausting.  You might describe this year as unexpected, successful, invigorating, etc.  Find one to three words that hit home with how you feel about this past year.  Then, tune into how that makes you feel.  If it’s encouraging carry it with you into the new year.  If it’s not what you want to feel, then choose one to three words for how you want the new year to feel instead.  What happened this year does not dictate what’s to come next year.  You have the power to change that.  Decide what you want to feel and then it’s up to you to create a plan to make it happen.

Progress

Lastly, take time to reflect over just how far you’ve come.  This year may not have been everything you had hoped or expected but, you’ve made it this far.  That’s something to be proud of.  You didn’t have this year all perfectly mapped out, or if you did, you know life always puts challenges in your path which can send you off in completely different directions.  You also never have all the answers.  Every year is an opportunity to learn and grow.  You’re now a year wiser, stronger, and smarter from everything that you’ve been through this past year.  Celebrate that and who you’ve become in the process.  The journey of life is roller coaster so hang on because the new year is right around the corner.

Review your goals, your progress, what worked and what didn’t.  Tune into what happened and how you felt.  Doing this will help you figure out where you are so that you can make a plan for the new year.  Maybe you’ll fallen off track or perhaps you had an incredibly successful year.  Either way, taking time to reflect over the year will help you to celebrate your success and acknowledge your lessons learned.  By completing your reflection process, you’ll feel more prepared and ready to start the new year.