I find the last few days of the year a great time to reflect on the 366 days that have been.  Before leaping into 2021 and setting new goals, I recommend making some time for self-reflection.  

One good thing to come out of 2020 has been perspective and the time and space to re-evaluate what in our lives matters most. The quality of our lives is driven by the questions we ask ourselves.  

Here are the self-reflection questions I’m asking myself this week and sharing with you.

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1. What have you learnt about yourself this year?

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2. What are you most proud of yourself for?

This could include accomplishments, but can also extend to personal growth, emotions or states of being that you’re proud of - think about your “doing” and “being”.

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3. What has been your biggest challenge or obstacle this year?

Did you meet it, or did you avoid it, was there an opportunity to learn from it?

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4. Write down 1-3 people who have supported you this year

– did they move you forward, help you overcome a difficult time, provide sound advice or consistently show up for you ?

Another suggestion: tell them

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5. What were your most meaningful memories?

Which moments mattered most to you this year – recalling these will help bring into focus where you want to spend time and energy next year.  How many of these meaningful moments were simple pleasures, that cost nothing?

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6. Where did I spend my time and money this year?

Examine where you spent your time and money. Was it aligned with what matters to you, was this allocation moving you closer or further from your long-term goals?

Be intentional and conscious about where and how you spend your time and money next year.

7. What are you most grateful for this year?

8. What habits/ behaviours have held you back from achieving what you intended to in 2020?

Just like we have strengths, we all have natural weaknesses and unresourceful patterns and behaviours.

Being aware of our blind spots can help us better prepare for them. Which of yours have been hindering you? How can you either improve them or make them work for, not against you?

9.  Which goal or area of your life did you work on, or reach?

10. If you could describe your 2020 in 3 words or themes, what would they be?

Now that you’ve asked yourself these questions, consider sharing them with a friend, mentor or family member. Discussing your reflections and next year’s goals with someone you trust can bring clarity (they may offer a different perspective) and a deeper understanding of your experiences as well as support and accountability into the next year.

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