One Way to do a Year in Review
You know what we all have in common? We have all lived through 2024. With only a couple days until 2025, it seems like a good moment to share a semi-structured way to reflect on the past year. Now that I reflect on it (ha!), learning how to reflect on the past is actually a pretty large part of leadership development.
I do this, too: before the end of each year, I make time to slow down and reflect on what happened in my life.
Last month’s newsletter was about writing down “What Went Well” each day to build resilience and optimism.
“What Went Well” is a great tool because it’s simple, quick, and it works.[1] It can also be adjusted to reflect on a longer timespan, such as the whole year of 2024.
Here’s how to use the “What Went Well” tool to reflect on 2024.
First, because a lot happens in a year, it can help to choose a filter to look through as you think back to what happened in 2024. Choose a filter that is meaningful to you and grab your calendar if it helps to remind yourself of what you’ve done.
Some filters:
1. Seasons: Skim through your calendar and pick one good memory from each season.
2. Hobby/passion/activity: If you love to travel, read, or listen to live music, for example, make a list of memories doing that thing.
3. Life domains, such as Health, Family, Work, Community, Spirituality: Perhaps pick one memory from each domain, or focus on one domain in particular.[2]
4. Creativity: what did you create in 2024?
5. Create your own filter.
Second, go for it. Just dive in. Using the filter, ask yourself, what are (at least) three things that went well this year and why?
Third, accept all the emotions: allow yourself to experience the waves of emotions that come with looking back. When you’re finished, you’ll be able to answer the question “What Went Well in 2024?”
Here’s an example using “creativity” as a filter.
What Are Three Good Things about 2024 and Why?
1. I took an 8-week pottery class. It was relaxing and social: I got to do it with a friend every weekend for two months. I LOVED making pottery – kind of surprised me how much.
2. I created a social experience that included volunteerism, cooking, and leadership education. It was fun, relatively easy, and well-received. I was able to test out some of my ideas, meet new people, and serve fresh, healthy food to people going through cancer treatment.
3. I took my family to the northwoods of Minnesota last summer. I love being in the woods surrounded by lakes and wildlife. During the day, my kids went to daycamp at the same remote Spanish language camp I went to as a kid, and had a blast. Meanwhile, my husband and I soaked up our free time mountain biking, eating lunch at local restaurants, and reading at our (rented) cabin.
That’s it! Now, why don’t you give this exercise a try? You can take as little or as much time as you like.
If you tried it, did you enjoy it? Maybe try again using a different filter. And I’d love to hear from you if you’ve tried it out.
My hope is that you’ll try this and find, as I have, that it helps you feel more engaged in your life and puts you in a stable, grounded position to begin the new year with optimism.
Wishing you a joyful close to the year and a new year filled with possibility,
-Lindsay
Art credits:
Road with Trees (near the Freidorf) (1927)
Footnotes:
[1] https://www.psychiatricnursing.org/article/S0883-9417(18)30463-1/abstract
[2] https://positivepsychology.com/what-are-life-domains/
A Leadership Tip
As you look back on your year, take time to celebrate successes and learn from challenges. After reflecting, use these insights to set intentional goals for the future. Regularly pause to reflect and adjust your approach—this practice not only strengthens your leadership but also fosters resilience in yourself and those around you.