It’s summer in Australia, the new year has begun. I hope you’re feeling good about this year and that you’re looking forward to all that a new year has to offer.
I find that the start of a year often brings with it fresh energy, new opportunities, and a clean slate.
So, I like to pose before diving into the new year.
I pause because there’s immense value in reflecting on the year we’ve just left behind.
I call my reflection process the “Year in Review”. I’m doing it a bit later than usual this year.
This process isn’t just about making a list of all your accomplishments and challenges; it’s more of an intentional reflection.
Taking stock of the past year can be a powerful tool for growth and resilience.
Why you should do the Year in Review process
The process will give you:
1. A chance to celebrate your wins
2. A chance to learn
3. An opportunity to close any loops
4. A chance to get clear and set direction
Some tips
To do this well, here are some tips:
- Set aside dedicated time to do this. Light a candle, play some calming music, or go to your favourite coffee shop.
- Journal it out. Writing the answers to the questions in each step helps you process and creates a record you can revisit.
- Be Kind to Yourself: Avoid self-criticism. Focus on growth and learning, not perfection.
The Year in Review Framework
Here is my 5-step framework to do your Year in Review.
Step 1: Celebrate Highlights – ask yourself what went well this year?
Step 2: Acknowledge Challenges – consider the tough moments. Ask yourself: What was challenging this year?
Step 3: Extract Lessons – ask yourself what you learnt from both your highlights and your challenges
Step 4: Decide Priorities – step back and evaluate what you’ve prioritised during the year and if that aligns with your values.
Step 5: Set Intentions – set your intentions for the year. These will be the foundations for setting specific goals.
To dive deeper into the details of each step of the framework go to an older episode, Episode 9 of the Thrive at Work podcast. You can listen to it on your favourite podcast app.