Top Five Personal Development Activities to Close the Year Strong

The end of the year is a time of reflection, and we normally get some time away from the normal hustle and bustle of day-to-day life. This is the time of year that is focused on giving to others as we share in the joy of the holiday season. It is also important to take some time to focus on yourself.  As you are out shopping for gifts for others, I want to challenge you to also invest in yourself. 

Try these five personal development activities: review, celebrate, practice self-compassion, express gratitude and dream of the future.

Here are five personal development activities that you can start today to close out the year strong:

#1 – Make time to think and reflect and do an End of Year Review

As we come to the end of another year, it is important to take time to reflect on our successes and challenges from the past twelve months. Reflection can be a powerful tool for personal and professional growth, allowing us to gain clarity about our values, goals and objectives. It can help us to better understand ourselves and develop meaningful strategies for achieving our aspirations.

#2 – Celebrate Achievements

Celebrating is often seen as taking time away from productivity, but it plays an essential role in our lives. It can also help boost creativity and motivation in the workplace. Celebrating helps us to recognize special moments in life, remember and appreciate our achievements, and give us something to look forward to.

What you focus on is what you notice in life?  If you focus on those things that are not working then you are conditioning yourself to see more of what is not working.

Take time focus on your achievements and Celebrate!!!

#3 – Practice self-compassion

Self-compassion is an important quality to have if you want to be successful, happy and productive in life. It starts with understanding that mistakes are part of being human and knowing that when we’re kinder to ourselves, it’s easier for us to move forward. Self-compassion helps us cope with difficult situations by providing comfort and strength when we need it the most. 

When we show compassion towards ourselves, it allows us to be more motivated in our pursuits. We accept our imperfections, forgive our mistakes and allow space for growth as well as failure. This provides a sense of perspective which can help instill confidence within us instead of indulging in negative self talk or ruminating over our flaws. Practicing self-compassion will also boost our mental health and reduce stress levels so that we can continue along the path of success without feeling overwhelmed or exhausted.

#4 – Start a Gratitude Practice 

Gratitude is a powerful tool to help us lead more meaningful and joyful lives. Practicing gratitude can be as simple as taking a few moments each day to reflect on the things that we are thankful for. This can have profound and positive effects on our mental health, our relationships, and even our physical health. While it may seem like an overwhelming task to many, starting a gratitude practice can be easy and rewarding.

#5 Dream 

Dreams are one of the most important things in life. They can provide us with motivation, direction, and a sense of purpose. Dreams also have the potential to help us be happier, more productive, and successful.

It’s important that you take some time for yourself before diving into planning for next year. Take stock of what went well this past year and celebrate those successes- even if they were small ones! Once you feel sufficiently recharged and motivated, use this energy as momentum to plan ahead by setting realistic goals that are both achievable and inspiring.