““To what use, then, am I now putting my soul? Ask yourself this question on every occasion. Examine yourself””
I began to create a standardized annual review in December of 2013. As I get ready to complete the fourth year of this process, I wanted to share some of the tactics I've incorporated. Adding a formal structure for in-depth self study once a year clarifies thought, and the standard set of questions I use allows me to identify progression and change in my thinking. This time of year, I really look forward to carving out a few days alone for planning and reflection.
The review has a few components. The two major parts are reflection of the past year, and preparation for the year ahead. Even if you don't want to get as detailed, just ask yourself: What went well this year? What didn't go well? An important note is to think about the two separately. Ideally, take one day to complete review of the year behind, and one day to plan in-depth for the year ahead. There's also a financial/practical aspect, taking the time to do a round up of the things that should be checked on an annual basis. One thing I added last year was a 5 day cleanse, allowing my body to recover and restore heading into a new year. As December progresses, I use it as a month of reflection, refinement, and awareness.
To go through this process, I have what I refer to as my "annual review essentials". The short version is that I use a template called "Unravelling" from Susannah Conway, a series of questions I've used every year. It's a very introspective and qualitative review to work through.
The more detailed version is that I've put systems in place for review throughout the year. I've developed quarterly, monthly, and weekly frameworks that keep me on track (the unexamined life is not worth living?!). Basically, I'm sent a summary of the responses to my daily questions, which I'll then transfer into a physical calendar each Sunday. This allows me on a quarterly basis to flip through and note the highlights, check in with myself, and maintain a sense of the shortness of life. To begin the more extensive annual review, I'll read and reflect on the last few years worth of writing. It always amazes me how quickly time seems to pass before sitting down again after another year. The last few years I've gone to the same coffee shop to write, and it's a strange feeling to be sitting in the same spot another year older. The process will begin with a reflection on the past year. I'll print the template of questions, reading them over to get into the right frame of mind. I'll then go to a sensory deprivation tank, which I've written about before and use each quarter. This lets me know it's time to settle within. A note from last year: It's important to go in without expectation. With the questions in the back of your mind, listen to what comes up in the float tank. After that, I'm ready to sit down and tackle the review. With paper and pen, the thinking seems physical and tangible, interacting with thoughts on the page. What were my expectations from a year ago? How did they progress? How can I improve? Working through this will give you a better sense of where you are. What you've learned over the year, what you might be avoiding, failing to recognize in the busyness of every day. It's a deep dive, and I view it as one of the most important projects for the year.
After that, you'll have a lot of good material generated on the year behind. Next, it's time to move on to the year ahead. You're asked to chose a word to guide your thinking, a theme of sorts. For example in the last few years I've chosen:
2014: Create, specifically System Creation
this is where I began to add some of these structured ways of thought. As I look it over, I still clearly remember those thoughts of too much passive intake of information without enough creation or action of my own. I chose to be specific about the creation of systems, and it was a year to work on developing and implementing structures that would be sustainable and useful for years to come.
Sample of my planning from December 2013
2015: Intention
I wanted to make sure that throughout the year I lived with awareness and intention. The persistent feeling of passive information gathering was weighing on me, and I really wanted to work on development of things like this site to begin making use of learning and information.
2016: Authenticity
This was about listening to my instincts more throughout the year, working on not suppressing honesty with myself, and choosing to act authentically even if uncomfortable.
Words like success, happiness, and goals have been overused, and they're ambiguous unless you define and give your own meaning to them. Not so much quantitative but qualitative. Ask, how am I measuring success this year? What does it really look like? It won't be just checking something off a list, arriving at some destination. For example, an aim like becoming a better communicator. How will you know if you've been successful? It's something measured through subjective analysis, and to me, this system of review via structured questioning has been one of the most effective ways to gauge progress in areas I've identified to work on.
With the transition to a new year, everyone goes through some form of this thinking. Take this opportunity to make it your own, to gift yourself the time and mental space to reflect, to plan. You'll be surprised at how much has happened throughout the year that you hadn't recognized. Give yourself credit for the little accomplishments, be hard on yourself where needed, and use this as a way to get ready for a new and exciting year. Print out the template (again, found here), sit down with a notebook and pen, grab your favourite drink and clarify your thinking in a tangible form.
Wishing you a wonderful end to the year, and the best life has to offer in 2017.
Are there any things you do on an annual basis? Let me know in the comments!