“Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure.” Proverbs 4:26 ESV
This time of year brings out a special part of everyone – the part of us that slows down, prioritizes relationships, and realizes how quickly time has flown. We tend to look back, think about the fun times and the not-so-fun times, and then look to the future, asking ourselves, “Will next year be better?”
The first step to answering those questions is to reflect on the past year. What went right? What went wrong? What did I learn? What do I wish to learn this new year?
“Follow effective action with quiet reflection. From the quiet reflection will come even more effective action.”
– Peter Drucker
Four Benefits of Self-Reflection:
1. Reflecting cultivates gratitude.
When I look back at the past year, I remember several things that make me grateful. Sometimes, it’s either a “win” or victory in my business; other times, it’s a joyful time with my family that brings a smile to my face.
Overall, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunities of the prior year and for the blessing of my work, family, and relationships. My yearly review certainly stokes the fires of my abundance mentality.
2. Reflecting reveals my true priorities.
As I look back at how I spent my time and attention over the past year, I am struck with my real set of life priorities. It does not matter what I said to myself or proclaimed to others about what was important to me. My actual schedule and activities for the year reveal my true priorities.
As you can imagine, sometimes I’m encouraged by my “look back” findings, other times I realize that my time and focus were not closely aligned with my stated priorities.
Either way, I’m better off after an honest evaluation of how I spent my time during the last twelve months.
3. Reflecting helps me learn and adjust.
When I think about the successes and failures from the past year, I gain a better understanding of what did and did not work. I think about what activities yielded the desired results and what didn’t.
For the times when I fell short of the goal, I think about how I can adjust my approach to secure success in the future. For the “wins,” I take time to re-affirm what worked and why. That way, I can continue to leverage this approach in the new year.
4. Reflecting helps me set new goals.
When I think about the successes and failures from the past year, I gain a better understanding of what did and did not work. I think about what activities yielded the desired results and what didn’t.
Each year, around this time, I start my goal-setting process, and it begins with reflecting on the past year.
Margaret J. Wheatley describes the risks of a life void of reflection:
“Without reflection, we go blindly on our way, creating more unintended consequences, and failing to achieve anything useful.”
Could I ask you to set aside some time for reflection? By looking back in a mindful, grateful, and goal-oriented way, we lay a solid foundation from which to improve in the coming year.
Learn more about my online Goal Planning Success course <here>. If you are serious about goal setting, then you owe it to yourself to investigate this course. It’s like a GPS for your life!
Do you take time to pause and reflect on your business and life? When do you typically take time for this important endeavor? Have you started to think about what you want to accomplish and whom you want to be for 2022? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
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