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January often feels like a natural time for new beginnings, but fresh starts can happen at any point in the year—an anniversary, the start of a fiscal year, back-to-school season or even summer. Whenever you decide to pause and reflect, it’s an opportunity to evaluate your current behaviors, celebrate your wins, and set goals for the months ahead. Analyzing your year provides clarity and direction, helping you make intentional choices that align with your values and aspirations.
Here are seven steps to help you reflect on your year and set meaningful goals for the upcoming one. If it helps, we’ve provided a worksheet for you to note your thoughts. You can do this individually, as a family, couple or work team. Analyzing and reflecting on the past helps you change behaviors and improve moving forward!
An Environment for Evaluation and Goal Setting
For some, setting goals feels intimidating. But I like to think of it as an annual board meeting with myself. It’s important to set myself up for success, even with the tough conversations, where self-evaluation feels like a trip to the principal’s office!
Prioritize the time on your calendar, and don’t put it off.
Do you need to be alone or in public? Find a space in a home office or your favorite room at home. Or get in a cozy corner at a local coffee shop or bakery off the beaten path.
Turn off interruptions. Let your family or those not participating know you are taking time away. Silence your phone and device notifications. Turn off the TV and only play low instrumental music.
Have an area around you to spread out, make notes or write on a whiteboard.
Do the challenging work by asking yourself tough questions and giving thoughtful answers.
Be OK with not being OK.
Step 1: Reflect on Key Areas of Your Life
Consider the following life segments to get a complete picture of your year. Take notes about what went well, what didn’t, and any patterns or lessons learned.
Family Life
Questions to Reflect On:
How much quality time did I spend with family?
What memorable experiences did we share?
Are there any unresolved conflicts or missed opportunities for connection?
Evaluation: Rate your satisfaction with your family relationships on a scale of 1-10.
Work and Career
Questions to Reflect On:
Did I meet my professional goals?
How did I grow in my role or business?
Was I satisfied with my work-life balance?
Evaluation: Identify significant achievements and areas for improvement.
New Skills and Hobbies
Questions to Reflect On:
Did I dedicate time to learning new things?
What hobbies brought me joy or relaxation?
Are there skills I wanted to learn but didn’t?
Evaluation: List accomplishments and areas to explore further.
Personal Growth
Questions to Reflect On:
How have I changed or grown emotionally and mentally this year?
What challenges did I overcome?
Did I prioritize self-care and mindfulness?
Evaluation: Reflect on personal breakthroughs and habits.
Physical Activity and Personal Health
Questions to Reflect On:
Did I make time to move my body regularly this year? What activities did I enjoy most?
How well did I nourish my body with healthy, balanced meals?
Did I improve my mental health and wellness by reducing stress or prioritizing rest?
Evaluation: Identify habits you want to maintain and areas for growth.
Travel and Exploration
Questions to Reflect On:
Where did I travel or explore this year?
Did I take the time to appreciate new experiences?
Are there places I wanted to visit but didn’t?
Evaluation: Note memorable moments and future travel aspirations.
Spiritual Life
Questions to Reflect On:
Did I dedicate time to spiritual growth or personal devotion?
How consistent was my meditation, prayer or spiritual practice?
Did I feel connected to my purpose or faith?
Evaluation: Assess the depth and consistency of your spiritual life.
Relationships
Questions to Reflect On:
Did I nurture my friendships and romantic relationships?
Were there any toxic dynamics I needed to address?
Did I set boundaries where necessary?
Evaluation: Identify healthy connections and areas to improve.
Finances
Questions to Reflect On:
Did I stick to my budget and financial goals?
How effectively did I save, invest and give?
Were there any major financial setbacks or victories?
Evaluation: Analyze spending patterns, savings growth and debt reduction.
Step 2: Identify Patterns and Lessons Learned
After reviewing each area, look for recurring themes:
What brought you the most joy and fulfillment?
What challenges did you face repeatedly?
What habits or decisions contributed to your success?
Write down three significant lessons you’ve learned this year. These insights will guide your goal-setting process.
Step 3: Define Your Vision for the Upcoming Year
With your reflections in mind, imagine where you want to be a year from now. Consider your aspirations in each life segment:
Family: Do you want to spend more time together or create new traditions?
Career: Are you seeking a promotion, career switch or improved work-life balance?
Personal Growth: What habits or mindset shifts will help you thrive?
Step 4: Set SMART Goals
Use the SMART framework to make your goals clear and actionable:
Specific: Define exactly what you want to achieve.
Measurable: Decide how you will track progress.
Achievable: Set realistic goals within your control.
Relevant: Align goals with your values and vision.
Time-Bound: Set a deadline for each goal.
For example:
Instead of “Save money,” set: “Save $5,000 for a vacation by Dec. 31.”
Instead of “Exercise more,” set: “Work out three times a week for 30 minutes.”
Instead of “Travel together,” set: “Go to east Arkansas and tour museums for spring break.”
Tools to help you in some of these specific areas:
Daily Habits: Identify small actions you can take daily (ex.10 minutes of meditation, writing 500 words).
Monthly Milestones: Set check-in points to track progress and adjust as needed.
Quarterly Quests: Give yourself a goal of getting out and doing something new on your list each quarter.
Step 6: Build Systems for Accountability
Stay on track by:
Tracking Progress: Use a journal, app, or calendar to monitor your achievements.
Enlisting Support: Share your goals with a friend, mentor or accountability partner.
Rewarding Yourself: Celebrate milestones to stay motivated.
Step 7: Leave Room for Flexibility
Life is unpredictable. Allow space to adapt your goals as circumstances change. Flexibility ensures you don’t feel discouraged if things don’t go as planned.
Reflecting on your year and setting intentional goals is an empowering process. By understanding where you’ve been and where you want to go, you create a roadmap for a fulfilling year ahead. And, if annual goal setting is new for you and evaluating everything feels overwhelming, choose a segment of your life and start there. Maybe something fun that will motivate you or an area you want to improve and change. Having a focus gives you a launchpad to start!
Images throughout the story used with permission from the Arkansas Departments of Parks, Heritage and Tourism.
Keisha (Pittman) McKinney lives in Northwest Arkansas with her chicken man and break-dancing son. Keisha is passionate about connecting people and building community, seeking solutions to the everyday big and small things, and encouraging others through the mundane, hard, and typical that life often brings. She put her communications background to work as a former Non-profit Executive Director, college recruiter and fundraiser, small business trainer, and Digital Media Director at a large church in Northwest Arkansas. Now, she is using those experiences through McKinney Media Solutions and her blog @bigpittstop, which includes daily adventures, cooking escapades, #bigsisterchats, the social justice cases on her heart, and all that she is learning as a #boymom! Keisha loves to feed birds, read the stack on her nightstand, do dollar store crafts, cook recipes from her Pinterest boards, and chase everyday adventures on her Arkansas bucket list.
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