In case you are new to this idea of taking time to reflect on the current year and then thinking forward to the next year, this blog is dedicated to giving you some ideas of what that might look like for you.

A Review of the Previous Year:

There are so many ways to reflect on the year that is coming to a close. In fact, it can vary based on your own personal planning and reflecting style. With that said, here are a few ideas to at least get you started.

1. Set aside some time. It doesn’t have to be a lot. Aim for 20-30 minutes. You may find you need more or less depending on how you choose to do your reflection time. If you have several areas of your life you want to reflection, i.e. work and personal, you may even choose to do those in two different sittings. Schedule this time (aka put it on your calendar) to ensure you take this time.
2. Have a journal, notebook, or whatever you use to track your annual goals. Use this to make notes as you reflect. Doesn’t have to be anything fancy – just something to write in/on. If you keep any kind of calendar, have that available for the reflection time as well.
3. Choose a quiet space where you won’t be interrupted. The more focused you can be on the reflection process, the more productive and even more quickly it will flow.
4. Before you begin, take a few deep breaths (or if you are a meditator, take a few moments for a brief meditation). This allows you to transition from whatever you were doing before into a calm and focused mindset which will make your reflection time much more productive.
5. Look through the previous year’s calendar and/or at your goals for this current year and ask yourself the following questions:
6. What did I accomplish that I am most proud of this year?
7. What did I want to accomplish that didn’t quite happen as I had hoped?
8. What obstacles prevented me from meeting some of my goals?
9. What could I have done differently to meet more of my goals?
10. What do I want to do differently next year?
11. Do I want to revisit any of this year’s goals in the upcoming year?

Once you have reflected on the current year as it comes to a close, you are ready to set some new goals for the new year…more on that in the next blog. Until then, enjoy your reflection time. Namaste!