As 2021 ends, it’s time to reflect on this past year and prepare for 2022. It’s also the best time for triaging which goals were accomplished and which are still to be realized. In 2021, you may have let some relationships expire and opened a new chapter to welcome opportunities that you want to explore in 2022?
A great way to reflect on your year is to create a timeline of events.
Documenting your year can help you see patterns in your life, reflect on missed opportunities, see where you can improve, take note of the new skills you’ve learned this year or how you’ve grown as a person.
Also, looking back at your goals for 2021 will tell you if they were realistic expectations and enable you to reflect on whether it’s time to adjust them, or whether you are on the right path.
If you’re the type of person who enjoys journaling, jot down some notes and reflect on how your past relationships have impacted you in fulfilling your goals and purpose.
Think about the people in your circle, be it family, business, friends, or mere acquaintances.
Have they been positive and nurturing? Were they discouraging? If anyone has impacted you negatively, now is a good time to consider distancing yourself from them in 2022.
Boundaries are necessary for growth.
You might also want to reflect on where to put your time and energy next year.
Ask yourself some of the hard questions.
Am I being honest about my goals?
Am I willing to make the necessary adjustments if the goals are unrealistic?
What skills and tools do I need to accomplish those goals?
What is one step, I can take today to begin moving towards these goals?
Further, if you started to pivot in a new direction in 2021, now is a good time to consider if you have the capacity to go ‘all in’ with full force in 2022!
Renewing your commitments for the year ahead is also a great way to reflect on 2021.
Reestablishing your goals is a way of starting over or recommitting to healthier habits, which should include spending time with loved ones.
When you set goals at the beginning of a year, it’s important to reflect on the progress made and determine if you’re on the right path. I check in with myself quarterly.
This will help you determine if the course of action you’ve taken is working towards achieving the goals set. If not, you will have an opportunity to make immediate changes.
Looking back at your hopes and dreams from last year can also help preview a roadmap for what you ‘d like to accomplish next year.
It will give you some insight into what worked well for you, what didn’t work so well, and will help you determine which areas you’d like to focus on in the year ahead.
Reflection is an important part of any journey, and it’s especially important when it comes to setting goals for the year ahead.
When you reflect on your 2021, use these insights to help prepare yourself for an even better 2022….and remember to be gentle with yourself and give yourself the grace you need as you journey through the coming year.
xoxo
Nicole
