Reflection on 2015: End the year on a high

As we race towards the finish line of 2015, I wanted to take a few minutes of your time to encourage you to end the year on a high… with a reflection of 2015… not just racing into the crazy momentum and making New Years resolutions for the next!

I’m not sure how it was for you but 2015 was another one of those years that flew by… almost in a “blink and you’ll miss it” kind of way. If it went at a similar pace for you, it’s even more essential that you take some time to reflect on the year that’s ending and here’s an easy process to do so:

Step 1:

Stop, slow down, take a few deep breaths exactly where you are… Wherever you are reading this post.  Let’s start with 3 deep breaths… ideally with your eyes closed if you’re in a safe space. *Inhale*…. *Exhale*… *Inhale*… *Exhale… and *Inhale*… *Exhale*…

Step 2:

Think back on the last 12 months and ask yourself these 5 questions in turn… taking the time to reflect and answer each of them (and I’d recommend physically writing down your thoughts):

1. What were my wins in 2015?

We’re starting with one of the juiciest and most important things to reflect on today and in the next few days. What were your wins? Please consider the BIG and the SMALL things… they are all important. These will be incredibly important to you but things that may come to mind could include:

• Deciding to look for a new role, starting a new job or getting a promotion
• Making the decision to start your own business or perhaps having the first year where you’ve broken even or become profitable
• Meeting your significant other, getting engaged, married or celebrating an important anniversary /relationship milestone
• Becoming a parent
• Finding a new home (rental or purchase)
• Making important connections (to be expanded on below)
• Starting a passion project (perhaps a blog, side business etc.)
• Coming up with a plan to tackle your debt / making consistent payments which are making a dent
• Going on an awesome holiday (locally to you or internationally)
• Becoming better at switching off and looking after yourself
• Creating something you’re proud of (from working on a book to hosting your first webinars / creating a piece of artwork or choreographing a dance)
• Starting a new hobby or reconnecting with a hobby you’ve always loved

Or anything in between! What’s on your list?

2. What good life habits did I develop in 2015 that I want to maintain or develop further in 2016?

Did you buy a Nutribullet last Christmas and actually use it this year? Have you started meditating in the morning? Did you up your exercise level in 2015? (Whether that means you now do 3-4 times a week or otherwise). Did you find a good detox that worked for you? (My hubby and I did the Whole 30 together in April 2015 and it was great. I’ll be repeating that in 2016).

Or… have you managed to connect with your parents / siblings more regularly? Have you found a fantastic way to consistently connect with your teenager? Do you and your friends now see each other more? Do you and your other half now have a regular date night? Have you found an awesome babysitter that enables you to have a bit more quality personal time (where you can pursue a hobby or look after yourself better?)

Did you find a great way to make and reflect on your goals last year… that is worth continuing in 2016? Do you now invest in yourself when it comes to continued personal and professional development?

What are some of the good life habits you developed in 2015?

3. What speedbumps / obstacles did I meet in 2015 and what have I learned (or what can I learn) from them?

Generally speaking, every year will have good moments and crappy moments. Where possible, the key is not to homogenise the year into one “good” or “bad” category (as one of my mentors, Carly Hope reminded me in her post today) but to reflect on the different moments you experience.

That said, sometimes things will derail you in a momentous way… and it’s a case of going with the emotions and the experience. The death of a parent, spouse or someone else of significance in your life. While the most important thing here is to look after yourself and those around you in those moments – have there been any wisdom you’ve gained from the experience – horrendous as it’s been. For example, a reminder that life is short so we should prioritise the things that are important to us).

Your obstacles in 2015 may have been in relation to finances, lack of focus, a relationship (with a colleague, friend or partner) that became toxic. Hey… an obstacle may even have been spending too much time distracted on social media (been there!). What has been your experience this year and where relevant, what can you turn around into a positive in 2016?

4. What significant connections did I make in 2015?

The past few years have taught me that making significant connections are one of the most important things you can do in your life, career and business… with #AchieveMoreTogether being one of my personal mantras.

What significant connections did you make in 2015?

Did you reconnect with a friend from school or university? An aunt who lives on the other side of the world?

Career and business development wise – have you found ‘tribes’ where you resonate? This may be groups on LinkedIn or for me – group coaching or mentorship programmes have afforded me some of my best connections. This includes the mastermind group I run, with 7 dynamic ladies… as well as groups like The Members’ Club in the Female Entrepreneurship Association (Carrie Green has created an amazing group here)… as well as other groups / programmes / communities under the guidance of business mentors I have including Emma Holmes, Claire Mitchell, Jenn Scalia and Bushra Azhar. These groups mean tonnes to me… have you found brilliant connections this year too?

5. What surprised me about 2015?

I won’t share many examples for this one as it will be incredibly personal… but it’s always effective to reflect on what surprised you and why (be it good, bad or ugly). Maybe you’ve proven to be more (or less) resilient that you thought. Perhaps you stumbled across a goal that wasn’t even remotely on your radar going into the year and now it’s a huge focus for you? Did you discover that the career you’ve been working towards isn’t what you see yourself doing in the next 2 years so it’s time to make some changes?

What has surprised you in the last 12 months?

Step 3:

Pat yourself on the back! By completing this exercise, you have avoided the trap of madly rushing around from one thing to the next – without pause for essential reflection. Remember, as ambitious and go getting as you are – without a process for reflection, you won’t even realise when there are things to celebrate and / or correct.

I’d like to leave you with a bonus question to finish off your 2015 reflection and that’s:

Who or what were you grateful for in 2015?

… and on that note – I wish you all the best for an awesome, kick ass 2016.

Don’t forget, if you want support with getting 2016 off to a flying start, this is a great time to sign up for the 28-day online programme “Happily Ever After for Grown Ups: A career and work life balance boost – within 28 days”. The amazing early bird offer is available until Monday 4 January and you can find out more about the programme here: https://ginavisram.simplero.com/page/52562

Gina Visram is an author and the corporate girls’ career coach, for women (and a few smart men) who want an incredible, fulfilling career that doesn’t burn them out… alongside supportive relationships that make their heart sing. As part of her Limitless Coaching initiative she works one on one and via group programmes with people with untapped potential to accelerate their career and lifestyle goal achievements – while ensuring their romantic partner remains firmly in the picture and they gain the tools to be each other’s greatest cheerleaders. Join the free mailing list now by signing up via www.limitlesscoaching.com (and you’ll also access a free work life balance cheat sheet).