Here we are again, and as another year comes to a close and a new one begins it’s time for a tradition that many of you who have worked with me and read my newsletter / blog, are familiar with — reflecting on the past year with a set of meaningful questions and looking ahead to the new year with optimism and intention.
At the start of every year, on January 1st or 2nd, I encourage you to take some time to go through these questions. Don’t overthink them; instead, simply reflect on each one and let your thoughts flow naturally. Then, take the time to write down your answers as the first journal entry of the new year.
Why is looking back so important? Because without reflection, it’s easy to overlook the habits, choices, and patterns that influence your productivity and success. By pausing to examine the year behind you, you’re less likely to repeat old mistakes and more likely to create meaningful progress in the year ahead.
“You wish to reform the world: reform yourself, otherwise your efforts will be in vain.”
— St. Ignatius
Reflecting on the past year:
* For the past year, what was your overall theme?
* What were your three biggest wins personally?
* What were your three biggest wins professionally?
* What were the top three lessons you learned?
* What was the one personal quality you developed in 2024?
* List the ways this quality helped you both personally and professionally.
Preparing for the new year:
* Looking forward, what do you want your overall theme for the new year to be?
(I typically identify one to three words to use as “anchors” throughout the year — short and easy to remember, e.g., confidence, letting go, boldness, joy, achievement.)
* What are your top three personal goals for 2025?
* What are your top three professional goals for 2025?
* What personal quality do you most want to develop in 2025?
* List the ways this quality will help you move forward both personally and professionally.
This annual review process doesn’t take a lot of time and will help clarify what worked and what didn’t during the year and brought you to where you are today. This record will also help you identify what you want/need your next steps to be.
For this exercise it’s not important what kind of journal you record your thoughts in (spiral notebook, Word doc, fancy journal) — it’s that you capture your wins, losses, insights and progress. This practice will make a difference in your success!
Have fun with the process — set goals that stretch you and choose a memorable anchor word(s) that will inspire you to stay the course and finish 2025 strong!
