Yearend Reflections You Can Do Every Day

At year-end, we are often prompted to reflect on what happened throughout the year—whether we like it or not! Some of us eagerly take the opportunity and others bemoan it. It can feel daunting to recap everything we’ve experienced from January 1st to the last day of December. 

One way to make it easier is to stop waiting until the end and relying on yourself to sort through all your memories, some of which may already be cobwebbed. Instead, decide on a question you can ask yourself at the end of each day, something that requires only a sentence or two (maybe even just a few key words) and jot down your response. You can use a journal at the side of your bed, a notes app, or even an Excel spreadsheet. 

Below are some ideas for questions you can ask yourself on a daily basis: 

What did I do well today?  

This question allows you to celebrate your wins. It also comes in handy during performance review time at work! Keep in mind though that you don’t have to focus solely on accomplishments at work. Take a holistic approach and track what you did well in all facets of your life. 

If you’re feeling more ambitious, you can add a follow question such “what skills did I use to get it done?” and “how can I do it again tomorrow?” 

What are three words I would use to describe today? 

This is a simple way to recap your day and gain perspective. Be sure to go back and read your entries each week (or month) to take note of any patterns. Also, if you find that you are using the same (negative) words to describe your days on a regular basis, take it as a sign that you need to change things up a bit in order to get yourself in a more positive frame of mind! 

What is one new thing I heard about or saw today? 

Be it something you read in the news, a colleague’s insight at a staff meeting, a refreshing way to start your morning (hot water with lemon seems to be the trend lately!), or even a color combination your preschooler put together when getting dressed, write down something new that you learned, saw, or experienced. 

How do I want to feel tomorrow? 

At the end of the day, remind yourself that tomorrow you get another shot at feeling how you want to feel. Be intentional about it—how do you want to feel? What words describe how I want to experience my day tomorrow? Whatever the words are, write them down. In the morning, read them and intend to go about your day in a way that allows you to feel in those ways. 

--Victoria Crispo, Dec 2014 Career Coach