I always love cracking open my new calendar/planner for the year. The blank pages remind me that anything is possible. Or, to say it another way, the possibilities are limitless.
But before I start filling in the blank pages in my new planner, I have a few more things to do in my old one so I can end the year intentionally and with the right mindset for beginning a new year. You see, the ole Ego wants you to dwell on the things that you didn’t get done. You know, those resolutions or promises to yourself that for some reason or another just didn’t happen (some legitimately so).
Instead, I’d rather take inventory of the last year and spend time reflecting on what went well, and what didn’t. By doing so, you can gain valuable insights that will help you open that new planner and map out your best year possible. If you didn’t take time to inventory and reflect on your 2019, I encourage you to do so using 4 simple steps.
1. Review Notes
I love putting pencil to paper and it definitely shows in my journals and planner. I loved reviewing each page of my 2019 planner; it was a great way to remind myself of personal and business events and accomplishments. I find that sometimes the big events (whether good or bad) drown out the things we do every day to move us closer to our dreams and goals. In the end, those baby steps are very important and after reading through my journals and planner, I realized I had taken a lot of steps and was further ahead than I thought. What a way to shift your mindset from one of regrets or scarcity to one of abundance!
2. Reflect
After you review your year, now it’s time to reflect by asking yourself some questions.
- What was the best thing that happened? There’s always something that makes the year unforgettable. What was it?
- What was your biggest win this year? The year wasn’t perfect. It never will be. But, it wasn’t all bad so remember to give yourself a pat on the back for the wins you did have.
- What did you enjoy doing this year? Look back on what brought you joy because you’ll definitely want to take that into your new year.
- What was the one thing or who was the one person you are most grateful for? Too often we forget to pause and reflect on all we have to be grateful for in our lives. If this wasn’t part of your daily routine in 2019, be sure it is for 2020.
- What was your biggest regret, and why? Let’s face it. We all have them. But instead of letting them wear you down, try facing them head on. Use them as a learning experience, a way to grow personally or professionally, in a positive way. When you do, you’ll be less likely to repeat them.
- What’s one thing that changed about yourself? Most people fear change; but there’s tremendous freedom in knowing we are not obligated to be the same person we were last decade, last year or even yesterday. The possibilities are limitless!
- If you could go back to January 1, 2019, what would you tell yourself? What lesson did you learn that you wish you could have known before it happened? One of my lessons was to live in the moment and to let go of the past so you have room for the exciting future that unfolded during 2019.
3. 2019 Achievements
My planner suggested writing about my achievements right after they happen and to include enough detail to learn from my success so that I can make it happen again. Well, I didn’t do that during 2019, but I am going to make sure I do it in 2020.
4. End Your Year Intentionally
Celebrate your wins because that will drown out any feelings of regret. Make peace with yourself. None of us will ever be the best version of ourselves because no one is perfect. Just acknowledge mistakes, learn from them and try not to repeat them. Stop dwelling on what went wrong or what didn’t go as planned, forgive yourself and move on. Know you can change. In fact, let me encourage you to embrace change because that’s when the magic will start to happen.
Now, go out there and make 2020 truly amazing. I know you can do it and I believe you will.
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