As one year winds down and another begins, there’s something powerful about pausing to take stock. Not just to look back but to gather insights and plant seeds for the future. Whether you feel stuck, stretched, or starting something new, reviewing your year is an invitation to move forward with clarity and purpose.

That said, I know this is often one of the busiest times of the year. You might already feel stretched thin, with barely enough time to check items off your to-do list—let alone sit down and reflect. If that’s the case, don’t worry. Bookmark this blog post or save this email for later. Block out a little time after the holidays, when the pace slows down, to give this process the attention it deserves. It’ll be worth it.

When you’re ready, here’s a simple, three-phase process: What happened? So what? Now what? Each phase builds on the last, leading you to a more intentional start to the new year.

Phase 1: What Happened?

The first step is straightforward: review your year. This process isn’t about perfection or capturing every single moment. It’s about rediscovering the story your year tells.

Here’s a simple method I like to use:

1. Take a blank sheet of paper and draw a grid with 4 rows and 3 columns—one box for each month of the year.

2. Label each box from January to December.

3. Jog your memory and fill in the boxes with key moments.

If you’re like me, the last few months might feel fresh and full, while the earlier part of the year takes some digging to recall. That’s okay!

To jog your memory:

• Scroll through your phone’s photos. Often, a single snapshot can flood back details you’d forgotten.

• Flip through your calendar, planner, or journal. What meetings, milestones, or memories stand out?

As you fill in the boxes, resist the urge to overanalyze. Just get the highlights down. These might be accomplishments, challenges, celebrations, or moments that changed you personally or professionally.

Phase 2: So What?

Once you’ve laid out the “what,” it’s time to explore the “so what.” What does it all mean? How has this year shaped you?

Use these 10 questions as a guide to reflect:

1. What are you most proud of?

2. What did you learn—about yourself, your skills, or the life you want to lead?

3. What are you tolerating?

4. What are the best parts of your week? What makes those moments special?

5. What do you wish you had more of in your life, and what would that make possible?

6. What’s a lingering question or unresolved thought from this past year?

7. What are you ready to release as you move into the new year?

8. What are you ready to embrace in the coming year?

9. How has this year shaped the legacy you want to create?

10. What insights or new desires arise from your reflections on these questions?

Take your time with this phase. You might focus on one or two questions that resonate deeply, or work through all ten for a more comprehensive review. Pay attention to themes or patterns that emerge. They often hold the keys to what matters most.

Phase 3: Now What?

Reflection is meaningful, but action is transformative. In this final phase, consider what your reflections call you to do next.

Here’s a simple approach:

• Set no more than three intentions for the new year.
  These aren’t rigid resolutions or a long list of goals. They’re guiding lights—things you want to focus on or bring more fully into your life.

For example:

• If you’re proud of a project you completed, maybe your intention is to invest more time in creative work.

• If you’re tolerating something that drains your energy, your intention might be to set better boundaries.

• If a lingering question remains unanswered, your intention could be to create space for exploration and growth.

Write your intentions down. Keep them somewhere you’ll see them often. They don’t need to be perfect; they just need to be meaningful.

Ready to Move Forward?

Reflection and intention-setting can be powerful tools, but they’re even more impactful with support. If you’re feeling stuck, stretched, or starting something new—or wish you were—I’d love to help.

As a coach, I specialize in working with people who are ready to align their lives with what matters most. Whether you’re seeking clarity, growth, or simply someone to walk alongside you in this process, let’s explore how we can work together.

If the start of this coming year sounds like the right time for you, please reach out. Together, we can take those intentions and turn them into a life lived with greater purpose, balance, and joy.

Here’s to a year of fresh perspective, new possibilities, and deeper purpose! May it be your best one yet.

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