As we’re entering the new year, a lot of us will want to start planning for the year ahead and set goals for the year to come. This is a time of new beginnings, change, and growth.
However, it’s important that we slow down and reflect before moving forward. We need to know where we are right now and learn from our past, so that we can create the right plan and set the right goals.
It’s not just about moving forward. It’s about moving forward with intention.
Here are 6 ways to reflect and start the new year with intention:
1. List out 5 lessons you learned and what they have taught you
What were the 5 lessons you learned over the past year, and how have these learnings helped you grow to become better? How have you changed because of these lessons? Use this question as a way to reflect on your past year.
2. Write a gratitude list
A great way to end the year is to appreciate and give thanks for the things that are important to you. This will help you end the year with gratitude and start a new year full of appreciation.
-
-
What are you grateful for this past year?
-
Who are you grateful for this past year?
-
Lastly, how can you be grateful for yourself this past year?
-
3. Write a letter to yourself
Sometimes, we just need to have a conversation with ourselves. Really. We know ourselves and we know what we need to hear the most. Time to be your own best friend.
You can choose to…
-
Write a letter to your past self
Thank your past self for trying her best and helping you get to where you are right now. Really use this time to talk to yourself and be there for yourself. You know yourself best and what you need. If you do this right, this can be a powerful healing exercise.
-
Write a letter to your future self
Talk about your intention for the new year, your goals, and aspirations. Thank your future self in advance for making your dreams happen. This is the time to create all the opportunities that will come in the year ahead.
4. Use guided reflection questions
Writing prompts is a great way to guide you to reflect on your past year and set new intentions for the year ahead. I created a New Year Reflection Workbook with prompts and exercises to help you end and start the year right.
Sign up here:
5. Create a vision for the new year
A vision is the general direction and an ideal feeling that you want to have. A vision is a general aim, whereas a goal is more specific.
What is your vision for the new year? What does a best day in your year look like? What would make a fulfilling year for you?
The clearer you are about your vision and what that look like, the easier it will be for you to set the right goals and make decisions for what truly matters.
> Related Post: How to create an ideal life vision
6. Set Your #1 Goal for the new year
Now that you have fully reflected on your past year and created a vision for the new year, you can set your biggest goal for the year ahead.
You can have many mini goals. But it’s important to set only ONE biggest, most important goal that will really be the game changer for you if you accomplish it next year.
This is how you can focus and aim for the vision that you want to create.
> Related Post: How to set your yearly goal and achieve results.
Hope you find these tips helpful! To get started, you can sign up for my New Year Reflection Workbook with guided writing prompts and reflection exercises.
Cheers to a great year ahead.
Rooting for you,
Shir
Shirley Huang is a Certified Life Coach, Podcast Host, and online educator. She provides weekly resources to help people become leaders in their life, while loving themselves and having fun a long the way. Check out her Life Coaching Programs here.