As the year ends and a new one begins, it’s the ideal time for reflection on what has passed and for planning what is to come. I go through a beautiful process each year that I would love to share with you!
What I Gain
As I take the time to listen, reflect, and write, I gain clarity on my thoughts and feelings and on the aspects of my life that I want to change or discard. I also discover or confirm the aspects that deserve focus and nurturing. This helps me to set the direction I want to move in as the new year progresses.
2021 is the Perfect Time to Start!
If you have never tried deliberately reflecting and planning for the new year, I highly recommend that you try it — especially THIS year! 2020 was a historic year. Imagine going back and reading your musings and sentiments 20+ years from now. And having dealt with so much change and emotion and challenge in 2020, planning for a better 2021 is a very useful exercise.
My Own Process
I think the process of reflection and planning has to be a little different for each individual, and you will find a set of steps that feels right to you and guides you in a way that works.
Here is what I do:
My overall strategy is to reflect on the previous year and then project for the next.
It’s important to me to ensure that I start with a supportive environment, both physically and emotionally. I find a quiet space, a cup of something warm, a fuzzy blanket, and my coloured thin-tipped markers. I apply tree oils to my feet for grounding, like Frankincense and Myrrh. I usually use Spikenard as well as it is the oil of gratitude, and I rub Clary Sage on my forehead for clarity. I intuitively pick oils to put in the diffuser. This year I chose Basil, Litsea, and Wild Orange for renewal, manifestation, and abundance. Most times I also light a candle and play quiet or instrumental music on my headphones.
I begin the process with deep reflection and thought. To accomplish this, over the last few years I have been going through workbooks that prompt reflection and vision casting for new year. I find this kind of guided reflection to be extremely helpful.
I use the Bridge Your Year workbook by Heather Briggs from radiatereal.com. It contains a lot of thought-provoking questions. The first year I completed it, it was challenging — but it gets easier each year as it sort of brings an awareness to life. My husband, Sean, also completes the workbook individually and then we go through them together. This helps us remember things for each other, reflect on them, and align for the next year.
In addition to the guided workbook, I go through my calendar and photos on my phone to reflect on the year that was, looking for patterns in my actions and feelings and the highlights that mattered most to me.
The process of reflection takes more than just one hour or one evening (or one early morning). I don’t rush the process. It takes time to slow down, see clearly, and make connections.
I also look at my business goals and accomplishments for the year and reflect on them. Where did I start, what did I plan and intend, and where did I end up? What was beneficial, surprising, new, or no longer useful?
Another important part of my process is writing out a gratitude list. After a difficult year especially, this can help to bring into focus all of the positive aspects of my life. If you want to do something that makes you feel good, give this a try! It’s amazing how many positive things are in our lives, both big and small, that could be easily overlooked.
I also create a list of things, people, etc. that I want to let go of for the next year — and then I burn it. That step feels so freeing, and it gives me the push I need to bring those changes into reality.
Part of the workbook guides you to choose a word for the year and even a theme for each month. I also use a core values sheet from Brene Brown to hone in on that key word for my year ahead. This year, for me, it’s peace. How can I find more peace in this moment, in this situation, in this conversation?
Next, I set my goals and intentions for my business based on everything I have discovered, then I gather with my team and we strategize and plan out our year.
Next Steps
That is the core of my process of reflection and planning, I hope it helps you to develop your own. You may find that certain steps really resonate while others do not – and that’s part of figuring it all out. Over time you will find the steps that work exactly right for you!
Next year, I plan to offer an in-person journey to guide people through the process. I can’t wait to share that with you, too, when the time comes!
I hope you benefit from the clarity that can arise from deep reflection and envisioning your year ahead. And I hope that journey also brings you some peace.
