2017 is almost over. Time for a sincere review of the year before we plunge into 2018.
I would like to invite you to go over 5 key questions to reflect on and review your year. This is a great exercise to see what really matters to you and how you want to move on in the next year in a meaningful and conscious way.
Take your time to answer these questions – easily a couple of hours, and preferably in a place where you cannot be disturbed or distracted.
What have your greatest successes been this year?
While it is easy to think about the things you wanted to do but didn’t, take the time to give serious thought to what you have achieved this year. Remember that a big step often consists of a series of significant smaller steps. Because they are sometimes so small, they are often overlooked and underestimated. Your list of successes is likely to be longer than you think.
What has the significance of your failures, disappointments and losses been?
Not always the nicest things to confront but they are important. A great year review requires brutal honesty. Where do you feel you failed in the past twelve months? What could have been better? Contemplating your failures and disappointments offers great insights on how to redirect your life and on what changes you might want to consider.
Through both your successes and failures, what have you learned about yourself?
Every occasion offers the opportunity to learn about yourself – who you are, your strengths and your values. This is who you are Be-ing. Think about and ask – who are you being to make all this happen; what has your inner journey been this year; what have you grown aware of?
Looking back at the year, what are you grateful for?
In the age of consumerism and digital shallowness, it is so satisfying to think about what you are grateful for. Doing this opens another dimension in yourself and in your relations to others. It slows you down.
What do you want to let go of?
Carrying regrets and frustrations is proven to have a negative effect on your health. Additionally, it spills over to other areas of your life. Write down any resentments you might have towards yourself or others, and burn this piece of paper – yes, literally burn it! Doing so makes room for forgiveness, and in the process, growth. It allows you to move on.
I like to use the analogy of a tree. Day by day, month by month, year by year, we learn about ourselves – we grow slowly, like a tree that grows stronger every day, establishing roots while reaching for the sky. Branches are visible to others – they are like the achievements, the done things. The strong roots are our being and feeling. Cut a branch, another one will grow. Touch the roots and that is another story. Nourishing these roots, your needs for being and feeling, is essential.
Happy celebrations!
