What did you do to welcome 2016? Attend a cross- over service? Throw a party? Toast at midnight? Spend time reflecting on the past year and creating a plan for making the most of the new one?
In addition to all of the above, most people usually come with new year resolutions and/or goals, some of which usually include losing weight, connect better with family and friends, increase income etc. This year I conducted a different exercise - one I learnt from my mentor and friend, of which I would like to share with you. This was about intentionally reflecting on the previous year, before planning for the year ahead. The exercise helped increase my self-awareness and I am confident will help me achieve most of my 2016 goals . Previously, I would write out my goals without taking as much time to really evaluate my experience and learn from them. The effect of this approach is one begins to lose steam almost as soon as you get started.
For many years John would use this period to look back on the previous 12 months and evaluate his experiences, knowing that experience alone isn’t a good teacher. But evaluated experience is.
STUDY YOUR WINS AND LOSSES
First, pull out your calendar and make a list of significant events, tasks, meetings, decisions, and accomplishments. Spend time reflecting, in order to remember and write down every experience that stood out in the past year. Write down both positive and negative experiences as you learn more from losing than from winning.
ASK YOURSELF QUESTIONS
What did I do that I shouldn't have done?
What did I spend a lot of time on? Was it a priority? Was it in my strength zone? Was it something only I could do, or should I have delegated it? What will I do differently this year?
What didn't I do that I should have done?
What’s missing from the calendar? What did I neglect that I should have been a priority? What action didn't I take, that really should have been done? What will I do differently this year?
What is the most important thing I did that year to help someone else?
Can I do it again this year (for them or another person)? Did I do it as effectively as possible? How could I do it better in the future?
What did I do this year that helped me grow more than anything else?
Is it repeatable? Do I want to make it a regular habit? How can I break it down into manageable “chunks” to make it happen again this year? What else can I do to grow?
Where do I need to be more intentional?
Where did I let things happen to me, instead of making them happen? What bad habits do I need to break? In what areas do I need to focus more attention, make important decisions, and take steps in a positive direction?
How can I take things to the next level?
How can I take a good experience and make it somehow better? How can I grow more this year? How can I make something that was satisfying even more satisfying? How can I top last year’s accomplishments? How can I exceed my own expectations, as well as the expectations of others? Don’t settle for good when great is a possibility.
By listing and asking questions about your experiences, you are able to truly learn from them. Then you can apply the lessons learned to the coming year. Making resolutions or goals that are disconnected from your current habits and recent experience often doesn't work. You must connect what you desire to do and change to evaluation of your experience, or you will end up like many others who make resolutions on New Year’s Day and break them by the end of January.
If you haven’t already looked back at 2015, take the time to study your wins and losses, then ask yourself the questions above.
Here am wishing you growth and fulfilment in every area of your life
Richard
