Looking Back to Look Forward 2016
WELL, HERE WE ARE...
We've finally come to the time of year when we return home after finishing our last, brutal exam. As college students, we get to unwind for the next month or so. The unique comfort of your bed at home replaces that of the bed you've come to call your own for the two weeks prior: the leather seat on the quiet floor of the library. Shoppers struggle to find parking spots at the mall, those winter coats come out of the extra closet in the guest room, and the smell of Christmas trees, apple cider (extra spiked), and your favorite Aunt Sue's cooking all combine to present your nose with its favorite gift of the year -- the smell of the holidays.
The holiday season. It's a time to catch up with family and friends, a time to exchange ridiculous presents with your roommates, and a time to celebrate. It's a time to watch football with your 93-year-old grandpa, a time to drink far too much eggnog, and a time to pay way too much for a dinner on New Year's Eve. It's a time to appreciate everything you have in your life, and even a time to appreciate the things you no longer have in your life (like those shirts you sleepily agreed to allow a certain someone borrow -- no ragrets).
...but it's also a time to think back about the past 365 days.
REFLECT ON THE PAST YEAR TO GET A HEAD START ON THE NEW ONE.
As someone who tows the line between reflecting on my past and looking at my future, I know I'll be taking the time in the coming weeks to answer many questions about my development in 2016 and set some goals for the year to come. I encourage you to do so as well. Physically write them down... it's too easy to forget thoughts confined to your brain. The process will provide you with clarity on your past and allow you to establish a clear vision as to what you want to accomplish in the coming year.
QUESTIONS FOR YEAR'S END
I just spent 15 hours cooped up in a car alone as I made my way back down south for winter break. I took the opportunity to come up with some questions to guide my own reflections that I think are a great starting point for anyone committed to improving themselves in 2017. I've broken them down into two sections: Looking Back and Looking Forward.
LOOKING BACK
In what areas of my life have I progressed this year?
How am I different now than I was on January 1st?
In what areas of my life have I stalled?
What did I accomplish this year? What am I most proud of?
What were some of the most meaningful moments in my life this year? Why?
What was my biggest failure this year? Did I take anything away from it?
Are there people/things in my life right now that are keeping me from being more successful in the coming year? If so, why am I keeping them involved in my life?
What were my biggest strengths this year?
What were my biggest weaknesses?
In what ways did I grow emotionally this year? Physically?
What was my biggest waste of time this year from a productivity standpoint?
What was the biggest thing I learned this year?
Why didn't I reach the goals I set for myself at the beginning of the year?
LOOKING FORWARD
What goals do I have from an emotional standpoint for the upcoming year? How do I plan on achieving these goals?
What goals do I have from a physical standpoint for the upcoming year? How do I plan on achieving these goals?
Which relationships do I want to improve in the coming year?
Where do I want to be at the end of the coming year from a mental, emotional, and physical perspective?
What would make me happier in the coming year?
How will I hold myself accountable in the coming year?
Do I want to make changes to your daily routine in the coming year? If so, what would I like to change?
What are my goals from a professional standpoint for the upcoming year? How do I plan on reaching them?
Is there anything in particular that I want to emphasize in the coming year that I haven't in the past?
What goals do I have for myself from an academic standpoint? What do I want to learn?
Who are some of the people I want to strive to be like this year?
What do I want to be celebrating at the end of the upcoming year?
What you do with these questions is entirely up to you. Answer them. Don't answer them. Add to them. Answer a few. Ignore a couple. They serve only as a guide. Enjoy!