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Before ringing in a new year, I always take some time to reflect on the year past and the year ahead. Prompted with 12 questions, this is an annual year-end tradition (now in its 13th year) that I invite others to do as well.
Some of the questions are asked each year (with refreshed prompts). And some are new, reflecting the times we are living in. It’s been a tough year on many fronts for so many with escalated cost of living, global strife, rising work demands and pressure, and more. I hope this reflection exercise gives you a fresh perspective and fuels optimism for the year ahead.
The year behind
1. What went well?
Indeed, this is always the first question I ask each year. We should be asking it every single day. Our brains have a negative bias that tends to hold on to the bad and we forget the good. Recalling the good (even tiny bits) helps us navigate life with more brain power, good will and generosity (with self and others). Take your time with this question. You will be rewarded.
2. How have you grown?
My how you’ve grown! As we grow older, we experience a lot from the school of life. Reflect on your year past and take stock of where you rose to your challenges, developed yourself and learned new things. Perhaps you became heartier in dealing with tough stuff. Maybe you became softer and more compassionate (with others and with yourself)? What else?
3. What and who were your greatest teachers?
In the school of life, our lessons and ‘teachers’ come in various forms. Perhaps a boss (or mentor, colleague or other) supported your growth. A book, course or even a comment in a podcast might have broadened your perspective. Or a tough experience brought invaluable lessons. You may have been your own teacher at times and self generated new wisdom? Name your “teachers” and give thanks to (and for) them.
4. What needs to be acknowledged and celebrated (in yourself)?
How often do we minimize our own accomplishments? Recognizing our own accomplishments (small and large) boosts confidence, performance and resilience. Perhaps you did something that was courageous. Maybe you challenged yourself to step up to a new (and daunting) experience. Learned to say no more often? Set boundaries? Or you showed up generously for someone or even yourself? Don’t be a Grinch. Give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back or a high five!.
5. What needs to stay around for another year and what needs to go?
Have you started something (a goal, an intention, a hobby) that is worth continuing into the new year? Or maybe you had a goal in mind but did not get to it yet? What about letting stuff go? Any bad habits drain your energy? Doing things the same way but they aren’t working for the times we are in? Take time to recommit to intentions and aspirations that are truly meaningful.
6. Give the year behind a name to honour its place in your life. 2024 was the year of ______
The year ahead
7. What do you want for the year ahead?
What do you really want and are willing to put some effort to get it? Consider career and personal contexts. Having clarity helps you set meaningful goals. All the better if you put some intention and effort behind it.
8. How will you cultivate hope?
I’m often reminded how crucial hope really is for our wellbeing and resilience. Hope is both an emotion and a strength and we can cultivate and strengthen what I refer to as a personal ‘hope index’. We do this with our perspectives and purposeful action. How will you cultivate your hope index in the year ahead?
9. How will you notice and appreciate the good when the world keeps throwing tough stuff our way?
It’s hard to ignore all the news that is filled with tough stuff (for example, wars, cost of living or violence). This can highjack a lot of our attention and obscure the good from our view. This year I resurrected a micro-journaling habit that prompts me to intentionally notice and/or seek moments of beauty, awe, and goodness. I track them into what I call the “BAG” journal. It is nice to see the bag fill up with good stuff amid all the noise of so much chaos in our world.
10. Where do you need to slow down?
With today’s frantic pace of work and living, many people have adopted efficiency as their mantra. Get it done and do it quick. Efficiency is good, until it isn’t. Sometimes there can be unintended consequences. Burnout, relationships, communication mishaps? Watch for efficiency mishaps and reflect on where it makes sense for you to slow down.
11. How will you bring more ‘new and fresh’ into your life?
Many of us are creatures of habit. Freshening up our work and our personal lives with new and fresh pursuits can spark things and help us grow. It can be meeting new people, learning something new, trying out new experiences or seeing new places. What’s your new and fresh going to look like in the year ahead?
12. Give your year ahead a personal theme or mantra. 2025 will be the year of ________
Eileen Chadnick, PCC, of Big Cheese Coaching, is an ICF credentialed, two-time ICF (International Coaching Federation) Prism award winner, who works with leaders (emerging to experienced), and organizations, on navigating, leading and flourishing in times of flux, opportunity and challenge. She is the author of Ease: Manage Overwhelm in Times of Crazy Busy.