Here we are again, nearing the end of another year circling the sun, and the beginning of a brand new one just over the horizon.

For some, New Year’s Day is no different from any other day. American astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson is famous for many things – among them, his insistence that the coming of the new year holds no astronomical significance.

And while that may be true, the new year has the potential to hold tremendous value for leaders and growth-minded individuals around the world.

Sure, we will wake up the same people January 1 as we were when we went to bed on December 31. But we have in front of us an opportunity to take a pause before we move forward – and there is power in that pause.

Imagine you’re climbing a mountain. As you journey, you travel up the face of the mountain, taking in more of the sprawling landscape surrounding you. But each step is taxing. The higher you go, the more you must give in order to get there. After so long, you need to pause.

Take stock of how far you’ve come, appreciating the view, and planning the rest of your route to the summit.

You’ve been climbing for a year – I think a pause is well-earned!

As you pause, here are some high-level introspection questions to guide your reflecting and projecting.

(Don’t be intimidated by the long list… if you need a thinking partner to walk through things with you, I have some spots open on my calendar – just fill in this form on my website and we will plot your course for 2024!)

Accomplishments & Challenges

• What were your three most significant accomplishments this year?
• What were the three most significant challenges you faced this year, and how did you overcome them?
• How have this year’s accomplishments and challenges contributed to your growth as a leader?

Leadership & Team Dynamics

• How has your leadership style changed since last year, for better or worse?
• How have you positively impacted your team this year?
• What opportunities do you see to further grow in your leadership and improve your team’s dynamics in the coming year?

Goals & Goal Achievement

• Have you met the goals you set for yourself at the beginning of this year? If yes, how? If not, why not?
• Have your priorities changed since the beginning of the year? If they have, have you adjusted your goals accordingly?
• What have I learned this year about my goal-setting and goal-achieving habits?

Personal Growth & Development

• What are the three most important lessons you learned this year?
• What new skills did you gain this year?
• How did you invest in your personal growth? What results have you seen from that investment?
• What growth opportunities did you miss, and how can you take advantage of them next year?

Work-life Harmony & Self-care

Check this article I wrote on the topic: Is work-life balance overrated?

• How well did you keep harmony between your work life and your personal life?
• What methods did you use to limit your stress and care for your mental health?
• How can you improve your work-life harmony and personal well-being in 2024?

Vision & Future Planning

• This year, how well were your daily actions aligned with your overall vision?
• Given your priorities, what do personal and professional success look and feel like for you in the coming year?
• What can you do daily to help you move closer to that vision of success?

Legacy

• How have you impacted your organization and community this year?
• What one word do you want to define your leadership in the minds of those you are leading?
• What can you do in the coming year to leave a positive legacy?

Socrates once said,

“An unexamined life is not worth living.”

So as we welcome 2024 with open arms, take a pause. Reflect on this year’s growth and plot projections of next year’s progress. And while you’re at it, have a happy holiday season and a prosperous new year!

That’s all for now.

Step into Your Best Self!

Warmly,

Florin

PS: If you want to get all these questions in the fillable PDF file my paying clients use, follow this link: Year-End Reflection & Planning Framework_fillable