Productivity

Wrapped: Preparing for the New Year

It's that time of year when we look back on the past and think about what we've achieved, what didn't work out as well as we'd hoped and how we can grow from it. It's a good time to reflect on the past 12 months before preparing for new opportunities and goal setting for the upcoming year.

First: Detox, Declutter and Tie Loose Ends

Before goal setting begins early next year, take some time to detox, declutter, and tie any loose ends. Unsubscribe from anything that you no longer use. Go through old items in your closet and either consider donating or reselling them. Be intentional about what you’re consuming through social media—mute accounts that no longer serve you.

After physical and mental detoxing, you’re ready to reflect over your progress this past year and set goals for the next year. Here are some questions to get you started:

What did you accomplish?

How did you do this year? Did you achieve what you wanted? What were your challenges, and how did they affect your path? What do you wish had gone differently or better in order to reach your goals? If there were any obstacles that seemed insurmountable at first but proved less challenging than expected, what was different about those situations compared to other discouraging obstacles you’ve faced?

What was the most rewarding part of working toward achieving your goal(s) this past year? What feels most satisfying to you? Consider examples like:

Reaching a milestone after investing a lot of hard work
Seeing results from all that effort pay off in tangible ways
Being able to help others who saw similar challenges overcome their own obstacles

What was not working for you?

Now, you should ask yourself the question: What was not working for you?

You can think about this question in various contexts, such as in your personal life or relationships with others in your life.

Simply put, it could be anything—but as a result of these problems, what did you do? How did they impact your life from this point on?

Learning to Manage Your Emotions

When you're feeling good about making changes in your life, it's easy to forget how challenging this process can be at times. So don’t be surprised if strong emotions come up while you're preparing for the new year. When they do arise, try these strategies:

Lean into support from friends and family. When we're feeling down, it can help to talk things out with someone who cares about us.
Exercise regularly (and mindfully). Exercise is a great way to reconnect with yourself—strengthening the body and mind while keeping one grounded in spirit. Taking some time each day for exercise also clears up brain fog around decision making.
Accept that emotions are part of life—Don’t judge yourself for having or experiencing certain feelings
Don’t let your emotions control you—Don’t let them hold back from doing what’s important for your future happiness and success. Stay focused on moving forward with courage and confidence

What did you learn about yourself this year?

As you prepare for the New Year, it is important to reflect on what you have learned about yourself. This can often be a difficult task; However, it is also important to appreciate your own strengths and positive qualities (i.e. capability and resilience).

It's easy to get caught up in our daily lives and forget how much we've grown as people since last year's holiday season.

Take time to reflect on what you've achieved and how you've grown

When you're reflecting, don't rush through the process. Good outcomes are often a result of many small steps taken over time. Be sure to give yourself credit for all of your hard work and growth.

Lastly, don't focus on the negative. Focus on the progress you make, rather than the setbacks you encounter. With a positive attitude and a solid plan, you can set yourself up for success.

Entering the New Year

We’ve made it through another year. As you prepare for the new year, we hope that these questions will help you reflect on your year and gain some insight into how far you've come!

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