“Y” is for Year-End Review
Most American make New Year’s Resolutions, many of us don’t verbalize these goals, but in the back of our minds we say “This year I’m going to…” Have you ever noticed that resolutions tend to be the same or at least have a similar theme year after year? Well, this year, I’m NOT going to have a New Year’s Resolution to start 2011. I’m going to have a Year-End Review of 2010.
New Year’s Resolutions are about what we want to be/happen, a Year-End Review is about what is/has been. By March most of us have lost sight of our resolution because we didn’t plan ahead and base our goals on our current reality. By doing a Year-End Review, I am going to evaluate what really happened during the previous year, define what is important to me based on where my energy was spent in 2010, and focus my intent on the changes I want to make in my life.
Here is a brief description of how to do a Personal Year-End Review: (I have chosen 3 different areas to review based on the most common resolutions: personal time/organization, budget, weight loss/fitness)
- Using your calendar/date book, write down all the important events that happened in 2010. This could include: vacations, meetings, appointments, major purchases, parties, home renovations, don’t forget recurring appointments (like gym time), etc.
- Review the list you’ve just created. What are you most proud of, what do you wish you had spent more time/energy doing, number the top five events of 2010.
- Compare balances: bank account balances, credit card balances, principle balances on mortgages/home equity lines, and loans. Compared to the end of 2009 to the end of 2010, how much have you saved/paid.
- Compare your physical fitness: call your doctor’s office if need be to get your health information. Compare your blood pressure, cholesterol, weight and waist measurements for 2009 to 2010. If you don’t have this info for 2009, write down 2010’s so you have it for 2011!
Now that you have your 3 lists, look at your calendar for 2011. It is an open slate, make it what YOU want!!
Here are some links to give you other ideas of how to do a Personal Year-End Review:
http://shiftingcareers.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/12/26/year-end-review-with-yourself/
http://celestinechua.com/blog/year-end-review/
http://simplelifehabits.com/life-habits/the-importance-of-a-personal-year-end-review
http://www.dumblittleman.com/2010/12/7-important-questions-to-ask-yourself.html
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