The beginning of a new year often brings with it the allure of fresh beginnings and new resolutions. However, as we’ve all experienced, resolutions can sometimes fall short of delivering the transformational change we hope for. As the clock strikes midnight, real change demands more than just intentions; it requires evaluation and strategic planning.
In this post, I’m excited to offer a doable process to completely shift your life toward a direction you’ve felt called to pursue. Whether it pertains to your business, personal growth, or family life, this process will help you effectively look backward to prepare for moving forward.
Looking Back to Move Forward
Start by conducting a year in review. Dissecting your past year is critical in building the blueprint for change. Ask yourself what worked well, what didn’t, what do you want more of, and what you’re better off without.
Here’s my process which I developed over the years. It’s evolved from a simple reflection into an in-depth assessment of the previous year. It involves tools like your phone’s calendar, last year’s planner, journal entries, and financial records.
Leveraging Your Digital Tools
Begin with your phone. Check your Google Calendar or iCal to see how you’ve spent your time. Search for events like client calls to determine where most of your energy went. Doing this helps you understand whether your time and energy align with your past goals.
Evaluating Your Planner
Next, dive into last year’s planner. Your entries will offer insight into how your daily and weekly routines supported or hindered the bigger vision. For those who didn’t employ a planner, now is the time to adopt one that aligns with your values and goals.
Reflect on how you spent your days and identify patterns. If your planner reflects endless to-do lists rather than actionable steps toward leadership development, this needs to change. Remember, success stems from moving beyond mere management into intentional leadership.
Journaling: Capturing the Human Experience
This part of the process paints the emotional landscape of your year. Emotions, alongside logistical data from planners and calendars, tell a fuller, more human story of the year gone by. Your journal entries will remind you of triumphs, struggles, and your ability to navigate obstacles.
Financial Reality Check
Your financial records provide a factual snapshot of your year’s successes and shortcomings. Compare income versus expenses and identify areas where resource allocation can improve. Use these figures to direct better financial decisions that serve both your business and personal goals.
Mapping out Your Future
In closing, this evaluation isn’t just about setting a plan or reviewing the past; it’s about aligning reality with your aspirations. Transform information into wisdom and direction that steers your upcoming year toward where you truly want to be. Make sure the people, places, and routines you choose to invest in contribute to a fulfilled, impactful life.
If you need clarity or guidance in making these retrospections effective and purposeful, consider attending the workshop at luminaryleadershipco.com/CEO. Apply what you’ve learned in a structured, applicable manner for impactful results. Pinpoint the learnings from the past year and channel them into strides forward, cleared of blind spots and primed for progress.
Embrace this powerful opportunity to set your stage for a breakthrough year, fueled by past insights and guided by foundational goals. Here’s to a successful year grounded in self-awareness, strategic planning, and aligned action.
