Here We Go!
The concept of doing an annual review has always been popular as a way to reflect on the year that has passed and to set goals for the upcoming year. Such reviews are standard practice in workplaces and other team oriented spaces.
However, conducting personal annual reviews perhaps is somewhat neglected. It’s time to readdress that. As with any reflective process, it has its drawbacks but on balance, especially if conducted with the right mindset, this is a great tool to help develop self-awareness and move forward intentionally. The below primer unpacks this and provides you with a simple but powerful tool we’ve used for the last few years - you should defo use it too. This process requires honesty, patience and perseverance but I promise it’ll be worth it.
Download the free template
Set aside time to complete it - can take a day/days/week
Remember, don’t rush!
Share with a friend
The Good
One of the main benefits of doing a personal annual life review is the opportunity to reflect. Taking the time to look back at what has been achieved in the past year, and to think about what could be done differently in the future, is a great way to gain self-awareness. It also provides an opportunity to reflect on the relationships and experiences that have been meaningful throughout the year. Doing a review can help to identify areas of growth and set meaningful goals for the upcoming year.
The idea is to take a balanced view, not to get too disheartened about a tough year nor over-indulgent about a good year. Allowing the mind to stand still and actually process what has happened will help guide your next steps. Another benefit of doing a personal annual life review is that it can help to create a sense of direction and purpose. It provides a space to record progress and keep track of goals, making it easier to stay motivated and on track. Looking back at the past year and setting goals for the next can help to create a plan of action, and provide clarity on what is important to you.
The Not So Good
As with any tool, there are some drawbacks to doing personal annual life reviews. Firstly, it can take a significant amount of time and energy to complete. It can be difficult to find the motivation to reflect and set or repurpose meaningful goals, especially when life is busy. Additionally, if the review is not done in an effective way, it can be difficult to keep track of the goals set and remain motivated to achieve them. Finally, as with anything, the tool will provide zero value if not used with the right mindset.
Then What?
In conclusion, doing a personal annual life review can be a great way to reflect on the past year or whatever defined time period and set meaningful goals for the next phase. While it can be time-consuming and difficult to find the motivation, it can help to create a sense of direction and purpose, and develop self-awareness. The Ultimate Annual Review by Steve Schlafman is a tool that can be used this December to help review the past year and march forward with clarity.
This tool was shared with me by a friend, I’ve gone on to share with other friends and I’m now sharing more broadly. If you find it useful, keep passing it on!