It's the End of the Year, Take a Look Back and a Look Ahead
The end of the year is upon us and with that we are all probably feeling a bit of emotions. Mix in a little nostalgia of days bygone with the excitement of the yet unknown days to come and some of us are left in a wierd mood. To help sort through all the mixed emotions let’s talk a look back and reflect on the past year and a look forward to prepare and get our minds right for what is to come.
Looking Back
While I am low key devestated that for the first time in 20 years there will be no 2022 “Rap Up” from Mad Skillz the rapper. I am forced to review the highs and lows on my own. As such, I am inclined to just focus on my own personal highs and lows. To do this I ask myself and answer these 5 questions:
How would I describe this year in one word?
What is the best thing that happened this year?
What were the favorite moments this year?
What challenges have I had to face and how did I overcome them?
What advice would I give to my past year self?
These aren’t necessarily easy questions to answer but I feel provides a good assessment of the of the highs and lows of the past year. It allows for awareness and understanding in order to provide closure for the unhappy parts while simultaneously helping to visualize a better year to come.
Looking Ahead
Once you are able to wrap your mind around the outgooing year it is time to turn towards the new year waiting right around the corner. Think about and speak into life the type of year that you want to have. Some people like to create vision boards or new year resolutions but there is no requirement. In fact to each his own. The main objective is to go into the new year feeling secure, safe and optimistic. For me that means 3 things:
Get back into the routine.
Get organized.
Plan a vacation.
I’m a planner by nature, so reflection, forecasting and review are a natural part of planning for improvement but I recognize that everyone doesn’t operate that way. Do you feel taking a look back or thinking ahead have any real impact? Or are you a live by the moment take life as it comes sort of person? Why or why not?
