As the year 2022 ends, now is the time to take a step back and review what has gone on in our lives for the past 12 months. It is important to assess where we are so that we can set ourselves up for success in 2023.
Doing a comprehensive year-end review is one of the most effective ways to gain clarity and perspective about our lives, as well as understand areas where we need improvement.
A year-end review should include taking stock of all aspects of life including career, health, relationships, and finances. This process helps us to look objectively at our successes and challenges and allow us to make mindful decisions about how best to move forward into the next year with intention and focus.
Review and Reflection
At the end of each year, it is important to take a moment to reflect on the past year and all that has happened. A time to look back, appreciate, learn, and grow from what has been experienced. It can help us to make sense of our lives, as well as provide an opportunity to plan. Reflection allows us to stop and think about our actions and decisions from a unique perspective, enabling us to evaluate our successes and failures objectively.
Tools needed for this exercise
- Time set aside for reflection without distractions
- Your goals from last year (optional)
- Data from sources used to track habits/tasks (optional)
- An open mind to see opportunities
- Self-Compassion
Your year-end review does not have to completed in one sitting. You may want to break it up over a few days. Find the pace that works well for you. Remember to be kind to yourself as you continue to explore your personal and professional development.
Questions to Consider
Here are questions to consider for each area of life: Career; Business; Family; Health; Finances; Relationships; and/or Other
What worked well?
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- What worked well?
- What was your biggest accomplishment this year?
- What accomplishments are you proud of and why?
- What was your most meaningful accomplishment and why?
- What most excites you about the things that went well this past year?
What did not work well?
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- What challenges have you overcome this year?
- How did you grow through the challenges?
- What did you learn most about yourself through this past year’s challenges?
- What were missed opportunities from this past year? (regrets)
Lessons Learned
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- What did you learn most about yourself through your accomplishments?
- What lessons did you learn through the challenges?
- What sentence or phrase sums up this past year?
- What one word would you use to describe your year?
How will your leverage the lessons learned this year into making next year best year ever?
A year-end review is essential in designing your success plan for 2023. You know what worked well and what did not work well. You have captured the lessons learned and how you want to leverage those lessons to help you excel in 2023.
What next step are you going to take?
Here’s a link to a podcast episode that walks through a Year End Review: