The 12-Month Retrospective: How To Find Your “Aha!” Moments From Last Year 2021

“A man who dares to waste an hour of time has not discovered the value of his life”- Charles Darwin

As we approach the end of 2021, I can’t help but reflect on all that has happened this year. It’s been a busy year for me, with lots of change and new experiences.

It wasn’t all rainbows and unicorns, but there were so many moments this year that reminded me how lucky we are to be living in this moment – to have access to incredible technology and medical advances that allow us to live longer, healthier lives than ever before.

The end of each year is always a wonderful time for self-reflection. Whether good or bad, I am grateful for what life has given me so far and how much I have learned. Without these experiences, I would not be who I am today!

It’s a one-time reminder to consider the changes we want to make in our lives and figure out how we’ll go about making them. But first, you must know where you are.

“How well did I spend the year? This is a great question to ask yourself as it may provide an overall evaluation of how effectively you utilized your time and highlight the specific events that touched you deeply.

What went well this year?

What didn’t work out so great, and where can I improve in the coming 12 months ?

Knowing what you want is the key to making progress and reaching your goals. So, take some time this week to think about what you want, and then get started on making it happen!

It’s time to make a list!!

It’s time to begin planning for 2022 now that the year is rapidly approaching.

Here’s a good way to figure out what your answer needs to be: Assume the question is, “What are you passionate about?” Take some time and think about it. There’s no wrong or right answer here; whatever response comes up isn’t incorrect.

There are certain sections of your life in which you’ve done exceptionally well. Praise them first, then thank them. After that, be grateful.

Do you believe it’s correct? I’m sure you’ll have an answer. -There are some things that aren’t as wonderful as they appear. You are dissatisfied, yes. More is always better; who doesn’t agree?

That is why, in the future, you must be prepared.

Assume you’re at the bottom of a hill in year two and are on your way up. You enjoy this period while you’re still at the previous basecamp.

So, what are you feeling right now? What is your level of happiness in terms of health, money, love, and pleasure?

Read : Letter 1 of 124: On Saving Time! Seneca’s Moral Letters to Lucilius. (Letters from a Stoic)

After you’ve taken a look at the entire picture, it’s time to get more particular. You may then ask more focused questions that pertain to various aspects of your life once you’ve looked at the overall picture.

• Was I able to balance my personal life and career this year?
• Have I successfully managed my work and play life?
• Did I spend more time at the moment than not?
• What do I think about my relationships?
• More often than not, was I resilient in the face of difficulties and transformation?

There are no shortcuts to real progress. We should all take a moment at the end of each year to consider these challenges not just for ourselves, but also for everyone else around us. More significantly, if one or more of these inquiries makes you unhappy rather than being harsh on yourself, we must look at where we went wrong.

When you look back on the year, you may find yourself experiencing unpleasant emotions.

In the book The Success Principles, Jack Canfield states: This is the time to start paying attention to what is happening.

Ask yourself:

How am I creating or allowing this to happen? What am I doing that’s working that I need to be doing more of?

(Should I do more practicing, meditating, delegating, trusting, listening, asking questions, keeping my eye on the ball, advertising, saying “I love you,” controlling my carbohydrate intake?)

What am I doing that’s not working? What do I need to be doing less of?

(Am I talking too much, watching too much television, spending too much money, eating too much sugar, drinking too much, being late too often, gossiping, putting other people down?)

What am I not doing that I need to try on to see if it works?

(Do I need to listen more, exercise, get more sleep, drink more water, ask for help, do more marketing, read, plan, communicate, delegate, follow through, hire a coach, volunteer, or be more appreciative?)

What are your thoughts on reflection? Do you take time for self-reflection every year? If not, I highly recommend giving it a try! There’s so much to be gained from it.