looking back to look forward
How are you? How has your January started? As I write I feel like I have spent much of the week clearing out the cobwebs I'd let fester in December. You know, those things you put off "until the New Year". Yeah. Those. Things.
I was frustrated I wasn't in "go-mode" but have been reminding myself that hustle energy has never worked for me. It's when I let go and allow life to flow things come together.
I have written before about my annual planning process. I often do this in early January by looking back at the year just passed and getting clear on the year to come. I then create a one-page vision board that I print off and place at my desk and keep a copy in my journal so it is always top of mind.
This year, when I reviewed my vision from last year I had done all but one item on the list. The power of writing down what I want for the year and reviewing it regularly has been a game-changer for me.
While I don't have things wrapped up in a neat little bow this January, I have been taking some time to reflect on 2023. Do you take time every year to look back? I find it to be a powerful exercise not only to remember what happened twelve months ago (!) but to create space to celebrate what worked, acknowledge the lessons learned and identify what I want to keep doing in the year to come.
Today, I wanted to share my reflection process with you. This is something that doesn't have to be done at the New Year. I've done similar exercises around my birthday. Or, at the end of the summer as fall is beginning.
Regardless of the timing, it is always helpful to look back as a way to inform the path forward.
So what do I do?
Month-by-Month
I start by looking back at what happened each month during the previous year. High-level, I jot down a few bullet points for each month using my calendar, day planner and photos as tools to help me remember.
Reflect
Once I have a picture of what happened I ask myself a series of questions about the previous year:
What worked?
What am I proud of myself for?
What habits and routines helped me stay on track when life got chaotic?
Who made the biggest impact in my life and work ?
Lessons Learned
I then think about the things I learned. This could be from something that didn't work, a challenge I had and observations when looking at patterns on my calendar.
I realized how much I care about ...
I feel most like myself when ...
My greatest challenges taught me ...
I believe ...
Looking Forward
Without getting too granular, based on my reflection and lessons learned, I start to look forward.
What am I going to Start? Stop? Continue doing?
In 2024 I will let go of ....
In 2024 I will remember ...
I have created a tool you can download to do this process on your own. I'd love to know if you found it helpful!
We leave little breadcrumbs and clues about life every day. Pausing for even an hour to see where they've led creates a roadmap for life moving forward.
I hope you have a delightfully cosy weekend. Winter has fully arrived and I am embracing it while dreaming of sunnier days. I will meet you here next week.
Walking forward with gratitude,
Sarah
PS - Here's the link to the reflection tool