10 Questions to Help You Reflect on Your Year and Prepare for the Next

As the year ends, it can be a great time to look back at what you accomplished in the past 12 months.

It is a good time to reflect on where you have been.

As well, plot where you are going in the future.

So, how was your year? And where do you want to go in the next one?

How Was Your Year?

The end of the year is a natural pause point to access your progress.

Where you have been, what you accomplished, and what you might do differently. Additionally, you need to chart a course for your future goals.

I recommend you get out your trusty Moleskine notebook, or open your app of choice, to write down your answers to these reflection questions.

Here are 10 Questions to Review Your Year and Plan for the Next:

1. Where did you succeed? – What are you most proud of from your achievements in the past year? What were your wins? Celebrating even the small wins is important. Remember the times you were on top of your game.
2. What did you enjoy most? – Are you passionate about your work? Your relationships? Make sure you are enjoying the journey today. It’s important to enjoy yourself each and every day. If not, maybe it is time for a change in job, career, or relationship.
3. Where did you fail? – Looking at your own failures can be tough, but it is a necessary exercise. If you want to move forward, you must be honest about where you were not successful. Maybe it was something that you didn’t give your all, or perhaps something you said you were going to do, but didn’t.
4. What regrets do you have? – What opportunity did you pass up? Where do you wish you had spent more time doing? These questions can be painful to answer, but they can help you remedy them in the future.
5. What lessons did you learn? – You should always be learning. What lessons did life teach you in the past year? Understanding them will help you grow and be ready for similar situations in the future.
6. What will you do differently? The one thing you can control is yourself. What will you do differently in the coming year? Don’t blame others for your behavior. Your attitude is a choice, make sure you choose a good one.
7. What is the status of your goals? – Where do your goals stand? Did you reach them? Review each of your large goals and determine their status. Maybe you need to spend more effort on them, or even change them entirely. (See #10)
8. What do you need to do more of? – What do you need to spend more time doing? What activities and goals are not getting enough of your time? Maybe it’s spending time with family. Or leaving the office on time each day. Or maybe it is simply being more organized.
9. What do you need to stop doing? – What do you need to stop doing in the new year? Maybe you have a bad habit (or two). Try replacing negative behaviors with new positive ones.
10. What are your new goals for the new year? – Reviewing and revising your goals is an important exercise. Your new goals may be entirely new, or they may be modifications of existing ones. Your goals should be adaptable and you should always be course-correcting to stay on target to success.

Looking Back, Looking Ahead

Let the end of the year be a time of reflection for what you have done.

As well, make it a beginning for a new year and new endeavors.

Take a moment to look back, remember, and learn.

Then, take a look forward to your next great adventure.

Question: What are you most proud of from the past year? What do you want to accomplish in the next? You can leave a comment by clicking here.