End of Year Reflection; A How to Guide with Coaching Questions

Rolo and a (near) Winter Solstice sunrise in Crystal Palace Park

Amidst the chaos of Christmas, there’s a yearning in me for introspection right now. I’m an extrovert and love a Christmas get-together, but I also need pockets of quiet and space to enjoy and appreciate the essence of this season.
Like nature’s cycle of hibernation, December provides the perfect opportunity to take a pause and reflect at the end of the year, on what’s really mattered to me, and what I choose to take forwards into the next.

The end of year reflection exercise I’ve created below is no annual work-appraisal! My intention is that you’ll glean meaningful insights about You this year. This is about remembering your strengths and skills, those brilliant character traits as an individual – a reminder of what you’re great at and what you love to do – all of which have contributed to your growth.

This is for you, whether you’re experiencing:

• Feeling stuck or drained, as though 2023 cab just fade away (see My Invitation), or
• At a crossroads – which way to turn, what to do? You can specifically read more HERE
• Curiosity – energised by the potential gains and possibilities from self-reflection

I hope it serves as a gentle nudge to harness the positives within you to take forwards into 2024!

Tips

Think of;

• Your small wins amongst the challenging experiences – a new skill, connection with new people, a healthy habit you’ve developed
• What you have loved doing this year – however seemingly small or insignificant
• And what has energised you, lifted you up
• Be kind on yourself – and notice if you be kinder still

You ultimately choose what to take with you into 2024.

Benefits of an End of Year Reflection Exercise

• Reflection – gives the brain an opportunity to pause and slow down. We carry so much information; social media, advertising, the mental load. This is an opportunity to untangle and sort through this year’s positive moments to be proud of, boost your confidence and cultivate a sense of gratitude
• Perspective – and allowing it – provides another possible interpretation, a growth mindset approach, particularly when thinking of an event that’s felt challenging
• Increased self-awareness and confidence – of the good stuff about YOU to be more of your authentic self
• Increased sense of wellbeing – this can be a healthy, positive exercise on You

How to Reflect at the End of the Year:

1.    Your environment – in a cafe? Out on a walk? Go somewhere inspiring where you won’t be distracted the your day to day stuff that could get in the way
2.    Create quality time to do this – 30 mins minimum, better still an hour to think deeper
3.    Your approach – on your own? With a friend over coffee? In chunks – ie part one and a revisit as a part two?

I prefer to do this specific exercise in a group. My friend Lyn Ray is also a Life Coach, based in Edinburgh, and I’ve joined her group especially for this exercise over the past 3 years! It always surprises me what comes out of my pen and what I learn about myself that boosts my confidence and pride. As a small business, I enjoy being with others for this kind of work – connection, support, banter and fun!

But otherwise I’d do this in a cafe with good coffee, cake and nice people. I often take a piece of work to one of my local cafes in Sydenham, London, put my air pods in, and take them out and talk to people on a break. And of course, I think super well out on a walk by myself – good for when I have a smaller question in mind.

Whatever you do, have an open attitude and a growth mindset – what can you learn here about yourself? You might surprise yourself!

10 Life Coaching Questions

Consider using these coaching prompts to gently guide you on your end of year reflection:

1.    What were the highlights of this year – big and small – that brought me a sense of achievement?
2.    Briefly, what were the significant challenges or setbacks I faced? What positive traits have I learnt about myself?
3.    What did I do for my physical and mental health in 2023? What difference has it made?
4.    What tasks or activities have energised me in 2023?
5.    What’s drained me in 2023?
6.    What am I most proud of in 2023?
7.    What am I grateful for this year?
8.    From these reflections, what do I want to take into 2024?
9.    From what I’ve written, how have I grown this year?
10.    And what will I leave behind?

Moving forwards

Once you’ve reflected, move onto goal-setting – but if you’re a bit of a thinker like me, perhaps chunk it down and leave this for another time.

I wrote about values orientated goals HERE if you’re interested.

One final thought

Kindness. Above all, approach reflection and yourself with kindness to yourself, as you would a friend. Celebrate your successes, no matter how small they may seem. Embrace your challenges as opportunities towards personal growth.
Reflection isn’t about dwelling on mistakes or shortcomings; it’s about learning and evolving.

You can prepare for a new year with possibilities and the promise of growth.