As the year comes to a close, it can be easy to focus on what we didn’t get done or didn’t achieve. But rather than dwelling on the negatives, why not end your year with positive intent?
One method for facilitating this is by reviewing the past year before you look ahead. Take some time to think about what brought you joy, who and what you are grateful for, and what your biggest successes and regrets were. Acknowledging and learning from your mistakes can help you grow and move forward with a clean slate.
Another way to end the year positively is by setting intentions for the coming year. What are your goals and aspirations? What do you want to achieve or accomplish? Having clear intentions can help you focus on what you want to achieve and give you a sense of purpose and motivation.
It’s also important to celebrate your successes and give yourself grace. Remember all the hard work and effort you put in over the past year and be proud of what you have achieved. Don’t be too hard on yourself if things didn’t go exactly as planned – we all make mistakes and it’s important to forgive ourselves and move on.
It is so easy to start the New Year afresh, to make plans, telling yourself that this is going to be the year you achieve X, Y and Z and at the time we really mean it and are filled with conviction and motivation. However, as the year progresses, things can change, life takes over, we get busy and our priorities change. I often find the first thing that people let go of are those things that are linked to self-care, joy, and doing things just for them. Often along with this we can end up shelving our resolutions.
I’ve been there,.. for years I focused on what I hadn’t achieved from last year and resolved to achieve them this year. I’ve lost track of the years I carried over the same resolution!
A few years ago I did something different and it was a game-changer!
I shifted my focus to reviewing the year that was ending before I looked at the year ahead and it made a massive difference in how I set my future goals and intentions, and my achievement of them. It has meant that my previous unmet yearly weight loss and fitness goals have seen a drop of 6 stone and me running three times a week this year…result!
So, as your year comes to a close, take some time to reflect on the past and set intentions for the future. End the year positively and with intent, and start the new year feeling motivated and empowered to achieve your goals.
What are the benefits of looking back before looking forward?
Reflecting on the past year can help you celebrate your successes, express gratitude for the good things that have happened, and acknowledge any mistakes or regrets. This can lead to personal growth, as you can learn from your mistakes and set intentions for the future.
Focusing on the positive aspects of the year can also bring perspective and help you move on from any negative experiences. Setting intentions for the new year can also give you a sense of purpose and motivation to achieve your goals.
Ending your year positively and with intent can help you start the new year feeling motivated, empowered, and ready to tackle whatever comes your way.
Here are some questions to ask yourself when reviewing your year:
What have been the highlights of your year?
Reviewing your highlights can be a great way to reflect on the positive experiences and accomplishments you have had over the past year. Some examples might include personal achievements, memorable events or milestones, or moments that brought you joy or fulfilment. Taking the time to think about your highlights can help you appreciate the positive aspects of your year and give you a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.
You can also consider what made these experiences special and how you can create similar moments in the future.
What are you most grateful for from this year?
Taking the time to think about what you are thankful for can help you focus on the good things that have happened and cultivate a sense of appreciation and positivity. You might be grateful for the people in your life, the experiences you had, or the things you accomplished. Reflecting on what you are most grateful for can also help you recognise the positive impacts these things had on your life and inspire you to cultivate more gratitude in the future.
What have been your biggest achievements and successes?
Reflecting on your biggest achievements and successes from the past year can be a great way to celebrate your accomplishments and give yourself a sense of pride and accomplishment. These might include personal or professional milestones, goals you achieved, or things you are proud of having accomplished. Taking the time to think about your biggest achievements can help you appreciate the hard work and effort you put in over the past year and give you a sense of accomplishment. You can also consider what helped you achieve these successes and how you can continue to build on them in the future.
What have been your biggest challenges and setbacks?
Reflecting on your biggest challenges and setbacks from the past year can be a difficult but valuable exercise. This can help you understand what obstacles you faced and how you overcame them, or what you could have done differently. It can also help you identify patterns or issues that might have been holding you back and give you the opportunity to address them in the future.
While it can be tempting to focus only on the positive aspects of the year, taking the time to acknowledge your challenges and setbacks can help you learn from them and grow.
You can also consider what you learned from these experiences and how you can use this knowledge to better navigate challenges in the future, and end the year with a sense of growth and understanding.
How have you grown and changed over the past year?
Reviewing how you have grown and changed over the past year can be a powerful way to reflect on your personal development and progress. This can include changes in your mindset, skills, or habits, or any other personal growth you have experienced.
Taking the time to consider how you have grown and changed can help you appreciate the progress you have made and give you a sense of accomplishment. You can also consider what factors contributed to your growth and how you can continue to develop, grow, and evolve in the future.
What have been your biggest regrets from the year and why?
While it may be tempting to avoid thinking about regrets, acknowledging and reviewing them can have a number of benefits. This can help you understand what went wrong and how you might have handled things differently, which can lead to personal growth and insight. It can also help you identify patterns or issues that might be holding you back and give you the opportunity to address them in the future.
While it is important not to dwell on regrets, acknowledging and reviewing them can help you move on and learn from your experiences.
Reflecting on your biggest regrets from the past year can help you end the year with a sense of closure.
What did you enjoy doing this year?
Taking the time to think about the activities and experiences that brought you joy can help you appreciate the positive aspects of your year and cultivate gratitude.
You might consider what made these activities enjoyable, and how you can incorporate more of these types of experiences into your life in the future.
Reflecting on what you enjoyed doing this year can also help you identify your interests and passions, which can be helpful in setting goals and intentions for the coming year. This reflection will hopefully help you to feel inspired to pursue the things that bring you joy.
Who have you been most thankful for this year?
Expressing gratitude for the people in your life who have made a positive impact can help you appreciate the relationships you have and cultivate a sense of positivity. You might consider what makes these people special to you, and how you can show them appreciation and gratitude in the future. Reflecting on who you have been most thankful for this year can also help you strengthen your relationships and build a sense of connection and community.
What has brought you the most Joy this year and why?
Reflecting on what has brought joy to your life can be a helpful and fulfilling activity. It allows you to take stock of the positive experiences and events that have occurred over the past year and to appreciate the people, activities, and other sources of joy that have contributed to your well-being. This type of reflection can also help you identify patterns and themes that may be important in your life, and to make conscious choices about how to prioritise activities and relationships that bring you joy in the future. Additionally, thinking about what has brought you joy can have numerous benefits for your mental and emotional well-being.
What surprised you the most this year?
Reflecting on what surprised you the most this year can be a valuable exercise in self-reflection and understanding. Whether it was a positive or negative surprise, taking the time to consider what caught you off guard can help you gain insight into yourself and the world around you.
One thing that might have surprised you this year is a change in your personal circumstances or relationships. This could include a change in your job, a move to a new location, or a shift in your relationships with friends or family. Taking the time to think about how these changes affected you and what you learned from them can help you grow and adapt.
Another thing that might have surprised you this year is a shift in your personal beliefs or values. This could include a change in your political views, spiritual beliefs, or personal values. Reflecting on what caused these shifts and how they have affected you can help you better understand yourself and your priorities.
Finally, you might have been surprised by events or experiences that occurred outside of your personal life, such as global events or natural disasters. Thinking about how these events affected you and what you learned from them can help you gain perspective and cultivate resilience.
Looking back to last January 1, what suggestions would you give your past self, knowing what you now know?
Asking yourself “If I could go back to last January 1, what suggestions would I give my past self?” can help you identify areas where you could have made different choices or done things differently, and give you the opportunity to make changes and improvements going forward.
One benefit of asking this question is that it can help you learn from your past mistakes and challenges. By acknowledging what you would do differently, you can gain insight and understanding about what held you back or caused difficulties, and take steps to avoid similar situations in the future.
Another benefit is that it can help you set clear goals and intentions for the coming year. By thinking about what you would suggest to your past self, you can identify areas where you want to focus and what you want to achieve. This can help you stay motivated and focused on your goals and give you a sense of purpose and direction.
Finally, asking yourself this question can help you cultivate a sense of growth and self-improvement. By acknowledging your past choices and considering how you could have done things differently, you can take ownership of your actions and make positive changes going forward.
What are your intentions for the coming year?
Setting intentions for the year ahead can be a powerful way to start the new year with purpose and motivation. Having clear goals and intentions can help you focus on what you want to achieve and give you a sense of direction and purpose. Setting intentions can also help you stay motivated and committed to your goals, as you have a clear plan of action to follow. It can be helpful to set both short-term and long-term intentions, so you have both immediate and long-term goals to work towards. Additionally, setting intentions can help you stay accountable and track your progress over the course of the year.
Here’s to a New Year filled with infinite possibilities!
The year ahead holds endless possibilities and opportunities for growth, learning, and success. Whether you are looking to achieve personal or professional goals, make positive changes in your life, or simply enjoy new experiences, the year ahead is a blank canvas waiting to be filled. With determination, focus, and a positive attitude, you can make the most of the year ahead and achieve all that you set out to do. So let’s embrace the new year with open arms and a spirit of optimism and possibility. Here’s to a great year ahead!
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