This time of the year is always a good time to reflect and to plan for the next year. Most people I work with are extremely busy, and many tell themselves that they don’t have any time for reflection. But if you don’t find that time, you will find yourself always in reactive mode, just somehow picking up the pieces that others throw at you. At the end of the day you feel you have not accomplished much — and suddenly you notice another year has just rushed by, and you wonder what you have actually done the whole time.
When I help people through change, I find again and again that creating awareness and clarity through reflection are a very powerful first step to making change happen. Here are some questions for you to ponder:
Year End Reflection
What went well this year? What have I accomplished? What can I be proud of?
Take a moment of letting these feelings of accomplishment and success sink into you.
Ahhh…
What could have gone better?
If I am honest with myself, what have been long-time issues that I kept unresolved for many years — if not a lifetime?
What are the stories that I am telling myself, that keep holding me back?
What should be different, better, next year?
When I ask people what they want to be different in their lives, it is mostly around work, professional success, health, finance, and family/relationships.
To make things better, it starts with being clear on your priorities in life. As my grandmother said so wisely, you can’t have everything.
So, for the New Year (and beyond), what really matters to you? I mean really.
How will contentment/happiness/success/… look like for you?
Now compare your desired future situation with how you are currently spending your time and energy. Will continuing what you have been doing help you achieve what you want to achieve?
If not, what changes do you need to make to avoid regrets on your deathbed? As you cannot have everything, what are the trade-offs, what will you have to say no to?
And how will you ultimately do this…?
Alas, a lot to ponder. But life is short. Invest some time in making the best out of it right now.
Merry Christmas and all the best for the New Year!
Gerrit Pelzer
Would you like to explore how you can be (even) more successful in the New Year? Then contact me now for an individual consultation without any obligations:
email: gerrit@vivocoaching.com
phone: +66-2 107 2025