Taking Stock- Let's Review!

What has your year been like? What are the things/events that have defined your year? Who are the people that have impacted you most this year? What are the key lessons that this year has taught you?

It’s the 30th of December, the time of year where all that's spoken about is plans for the new year. Whether financial, spiritual, physical, or even emotional, many make new year's resolutions that some end up achieving, and others forget by January 19th (don't worry I’m not talking about you, or am I?) 

Something that isn’t as popular, are year reviews. 

Before committing yourself to plans for the new year, it's almost just as important to recount the last. Some of you have had the best years of your lives in terms of achievements, relationships, studies, and even physical health. What were some of the factors that contributed to this? Reviewing your year allows you to really take stock of the events, feelings, and personal growth that has occurred over 2021. It’s all too easy to go through the motions of life, without reflecting. There’s a common trait within high achievers: after each interval, periods of reflection and evaluation are regarded as imperative before embarking on new endeavours. In a conversation with Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, he said “reflection time is always factored in, no matter how busy we are, how else do you expect to improve?” It’s fundamental that if you expect to “do better” or “be better”, you must review in order to have a reference for what “better” is. If “insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results”, then dare I say it, planning to improve next year without properly processing the last is erring towards crazy. 

Further, how can one see the goodness of God, if there’s no time to recount all his benefits (Psalm 103.2) It wasn't until I had time away to reflect during the year, that I really began to appreciate what God had done for me. Today presents itself as the perfect opportunity for one to really take time and reflect, recap and evaluate. 

But how? I recently used this year compass to review my year and start planning the next (don't worry, it’s free.) Others may choose to deeply think about the different areas of their lives (i.e. spiritual, personal, business/career, physical.) What’s really important about this is that you don't rush it, and allow your thoughts to really go back in time. When I completed the year compass linked above with a friend, it took us nearly 3 hours to properly answer the questions (and if comfortable share our responses.) Doing this with someone has some benefits, including them being able to ask you questions whilst you're sharing to prompt further thought. Whether you decide to do this alone or not, share your reflections or keep them to yourself, the most important thing is that you’re completely honest with yourself in your review. Don’t plan your next year based on faulty/dishonest/incomplete reflections on your last. 

What achievement this year am I most proud of? Why?

What was the best decision that I made this year? Why?

Who were the key people that impacted/influenced ME this year? In what ways?

Who did I impact/influence the most this year? In what ways?

What did I take away from the worst event/situation that occurred this year? Have I taken the time to process it?

In which area of my life did I see the most growth? How?

Hopefully, those questions have helped to prompt some thought. 

A quick thought from me: When planning what more we can do in the new year, let’s also consider reducing what areas/ things we put our energy into. Decluttering our lives so that we have more of what matters, because the things that matter most, aren’t things.

God bless,

Nana.Y.A