Reflection Questions for The New Year
Every year, sometime around New Year’s Day, I sit down and reflect on the previous year and dream about what I want to accomplish in the year ahead. I also settle on a theme for the year that will serve as an anchor to my values and goals when I’m feeling off, discouraged, or unmotivated.
For example, my theme for 2024 was “Do what I haven’t done before.” This theme came to me as I was reflecting on the idea that doing the same things the same way while expecting different results is what some call the definition of insanity. For me to experience new things, I needed to try new things. So, I made it a theme that I came back to over and over again.
I didn’t accomplish anything that feels mind-blowing this year. But I did get out of my comfort zone, which I’m proud of! Here are some of the new things I tried this year:
Took a short vacation by myself to Colorado
Enrolled in a couples-focused certification program
Self-published 2 books, with a 3rd in the works
Hired someone to help me with marketing
Hired someone to edit my 3rd book.
Committed to waking up at 5:15 M-F to hit the gym
Started a podcast with my pastor friend, Jon, called Can Church Be Healthy? 2025 release
Worked with a functional medicine doctor to address some gut issues
Purchased a woo-woo mindset app and completed several courses
The main win for me was actually doing things I hadn’t done before. And it’s a mentality that I want to continue to prioritize. It’s healthy for me and keeps me growing.
If you don’t stop every once in a while to assess where you’ve been and where you’re going, you’ll just keep doing the same things over and over - getting similar results. So, I encourage you to spend some time in reflection this New Year. Here are some reflection questions to get you going:
What are some highlights from this last year?
What are some difficulties from this last year?
What habits or behaviors do I want to practice in the new year?
What habits or behaviors do I want to stop doing in the new year?
What are my top 5 values? How well did I prioritize them this last year?
What is one goal I can make for each of my values for this next year?
If I were to stretch myself and dream a big, ridiculous dream, what would I accomplish this next year?
What is a word, phrase, or mantra that will remind me about what is most important this next year?
Here’s a challenge for you. Once you’ve reflected and landed on your word, phrase, or mantra for the new year, send it to me! I’d love to hear what you’re working on.
I hope you have a joyful start to 2025!
Happy to be in your corner,
Tom Page, LCPC
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