A Year in Review Reflection Template
It’s my favourite time of year. Coziness, the smell of pine and cooking, and of course, deep conversations and thoughts about life. I’ve never been a terribly accomplished goal setter, despite my joy in achieving goals. Since realizing that I prefer to have values or themes, and to remain opportunistic in searching for ways to follow through on those principles, I’ve come to really enjoy a Year in Review come December.
Perhaps you can describe it as knowing what I want clearly in very general terms, and being quite free on the details. It’s not ‘SMART’, but it works for me. These are the questions I use to reflect, in case anyone else also resonates with a “reflection template” rather than a goal setting template.
1.) Who did I meet this year who is now in my life?
2.) What emotion really caused me to grow? (e.g. Courage? Faith? )
3.) What emotion was I unafraid to feel? (e.g. Fear? Sadness? )
4.) What am I most proud of?
5.) In what area(s) of my life did I really make some progress?
6.) What did I do that completely surprised me and was unexpected to me?
7.) Who did I help?
8.) What is the biggest lesson I really faced and what did I get from it?
9.) What am I most grateful for?
10.) What were the most fun times I had?
11.) What advice would I give myself for the coming year?
12.) What else?!?
These are from Dani Rukin, an amazing coach I worked with earlier this year
Comparing my initial hot takes as I look over these questions to what I expected this time last year, it’s amazing to notice how many cases the themes or values were very fully lived out, and definitely not in the way I expected! I guess that’s how it goes with life, and with trying to live whole-heartedly.
Do you have a year in review template or guide you use, or any big questions you like to ask yourself to check in on your personal values? I’d love to know.
