Episode 45: 10 Questions For End of Year Reflection

Often this is the time when many set new goals for the upcoming new year. Lots of hype around New Year’s resolutions and “sticking with them this year” … Few ever do.

Where is it written that January 1 is the day you have to have your life figured out?

This year, I invite you to try something different.

Make your own rules.

What You’ll Learn:

How to end the year successfully.
10 questions for end of year reflection, in order to create what you want.
A bonus activity to do with your team that will reap rewards for them – and you.
How to start 2023 out with a bang.
You can also download the reflection questions HERE.

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Make 2023 the year you finally focus on what you crave. Schedule a Strategy Call with me today and learn how working with me in Q1 can create what you’ve been trying to for years. Now that’s an ROI you can bank on. Invest in your 2023 growth by 12/31/21 to ensure your spot on my calendar. This is your time!

You are listening to episode 45 of the Create What You Crave Podcast. The one where I share you how to end the year with reflection. Ready?

I’m recording this episode before the holiday because I plan to take the week between Christmas and New Year off.

I’ve got a confession to make. I’ve never done that before. Oh, I always have great intentions of doing that – don’t book any new business or clients during that time, work ahead to be “caught up”. All that stuff.

However, I then find myself allowing small things to creep in here and there.

I tell myself it’s ok because it’s so small, but as you know, a lot of small things take of a lot of space and pretty soon my calendar looks like a regular work week. Sheesh!

So this year I’m completely committed. I’ve cleared out all commitments and am planning to do some creative work and mostly what I’m about to talk about today. I’ve dedicated an entire afternoon.

End Of Year Reflection – Focusing On What We’ve Accomplished

When we get to the end of the year, we typically wait until New Year’s Eve to think about what we accomplished.

If I asked you to list 10 accomplishments, would you be able to do it?

Doubtful, right? You’d remember a couple of things at most. I know you. But if I asked you to list 10 things you still have left to do or that are unfinished, you be able to rattle them off lightning fast. Why is that?

Well, first and foremost it’s because that’s just how human brains are wired – to notice negative things more than positive things. Then we have societal norms that tell you not to brag or be boastful about your accomplishments because it’s distasteful or not appropriate.

Um – that’s a load of BS. Men in sports are always boasting about their wins or the one play they made in the game that was great.

Have you ever watched a post-game interview with the star player? The reporter fawns over the athlete and not once does the athlete say, “it was a team effort” or “I just got lucky” or “I was in the right place at the right time.” Nope – they are all about the brag.

Often this is the time when many set new goals for the upcoming new year. Lots of hype around New Year’s resolutions and “sticking with them this year” … Few ever do.

Where is it written that January 1 is the day you have to have your life figured out?

This year, I invite you to try something different

Make your own rules.

If you’re able, take time off this last week of December to just have fun.

No running from one relative’s house to the next.
No To-Do lists.
No “catching up on work” or “getting a head start to the new year” with work.

Take the week off and enjoy it.

Read a book.
Go to the gym.
Take a nap.
If you live in a colder climate, go skating or skiing or sledding.

Make the most of this slower week in most workplaces and just fill your cup.

Then, take the first two weeks of January to do some deep reflection on what you’ve done, who you want to be and how you want to show up – at work and in your life.

10 Questions for End of Year Reflection

Craft your own end-of-year questions or feel free to use mine.

The power of this exercise is in taking time to contemplate your answers and record them in your own voice.

You can also take these reflection questions with you! Download HERE!

1. What did I accomplish in 2022?

Make a list of everything you set out to accomplish and did – plus anything else you achieved that didn’t make that list. Write them all down – no matter how small. This is the time to celebrate!

2. What are you most proud of in 2022?

We usually focus on what we didn’t do. Seldom do we give ourselves credit for what we do get done. Look at the list you made above and sing your own praises – don’t hold back!

3. What are you most grateful for in 2022?

You know how I love me some gratitude. It’s a practice that keeps on giving, so don’t be stingy here. List it all – large and small. Look at your calendar, photos, and texts to jog your memory. You’ll be amazed at how much shows up.

4. What is the most important lesson or deep wisdom you learned?

This is getting deeper now and it’s so necessary. Slow down. Pause. Start writing. Tapping into that inner wise mentor we all have is a practice you’ll want to strengthen. It makes hearing her easier, especially when the stakes are high.

5. What was your standout experience or special moment?

For me, it has to be Italy because on so many levels it was truly life-altering. Think about your year and see how many of these moments bubble up and journal on why it was so important to you.

6. What was your most challenging experience or moment and how did you face it?

You are a strong-ass woman, we know this – and it’s so important to acknowledge those tough times and how you got through them. It’s crucial information to be able to tap instantly to remind yourself you can do hard things – and thrive.

7. What did you release in 2022?

I did a lot of trauma growth this year and I released so much toxicity from my abusers that I feel as if I’ve lost 50lbs. Now yours doesn’t have to be so dramatic – and I do encourage you to see where you allowed things to float by and not engage or what you allowed to roll off like water on a duck’s back. Be proud of that.

8. What are your strengths and how can you play to them more often?

Look at what you do on a daily basis. Are you using your strengths? Where can you delegate those items that zap you of energy and time? In other words, what can you delegate?

9. What will you stop, start and continue in 2023?

This is so important to identify for yourself. I use this tool with my executive coaching clients and their teams. It really shines a light on what’s working and what’s not. Choose 1-2 things for each category.

10. What are you opening space for in 2023?

When you work 10-12 hours a day during the week, then more on the weekends, you aren’t allowing space for anything new and different to come into your life. You need to allow some white space on your calendar. Oh I know, my friend. Your brain just went nuts on that one.

You don’t have time for that? Who can do that?! You can. You need thinking time. Creativity time. Ideation time. Schedule it. That is all.

Bonus: Make End of Year Refection a team activity

Present these end of year reflection questions to your team and debrief their answers in your one-on-one sessions.

How they answer the questions can be inciteful to how they intend to show up and what their priorities are. This could prevent misdirected energy and save a lot of headaches in the future. Plus – you’ll have a greater understanding of who works for you.

By taking time to answer these questions, you’ll gain clarity and set yourself and your team up for great success in the new year.

You’re the CEO of your life and it’s waiting for you to join in and experience all it has to offer.

It’s time you jump in.

Next week, I’ll be talking about goals in a whole new way, so make sure you tune in.

Until then, remember:

I believe in you.