10 Questions to Kick Start Your Year

Happy New Year! Here’s a process for you to use to reflect on last year and get focused for the year ahead. This is an exercise that I run through at the beginning of each year and I thought I’d share it with you.

Check out the list below:

1. What did you accomplish this year?
2. What were your biggest disappointments?
3. What did you learn?
4. What 10 things do you do that you love to do?
5. What 10 things do you do that you don’t love to do? How can you stop doing some of these things?
6. What roles do you play in your life? For help, look at these areas and determine which roles you play: career, money, health & fitness, love life, friends & family, personal & spiritual development, environment, and fun& recreation. I use sassy titles like “Mother of the Year” instead of “Mom” and “God’s Girl” instead of “Confirmation Teacher” and “The Woman of His Dreams” instead of “Wife” and “The Girl Everyone is Talking About” instead of “Speaker/Podcaster.” We all play so many roles in our lives. Consolidate them a little, make about 8 “Title Roles” and list the sub roles underneath them. For example: “Mother of the Year” might have sub roles: chef, taxi driver, cheerleader, tutor, housekeeper, coach, personal shopper, librarian, gamer and ATM. “Sassy CEO” might have roles like “Team Leader, Smartie Pants, Expert Traveler, Money Manager, Biz Dev Diva, Naughty Networker, Pleasant Partner, etc.”
7. What are your goals for each of your top 8 Roles? Set SMART Goals: specific, measurable, achievable, resonant, and thrilling (that might be a little different than the SMART goals you are accustomed to – I’ll write more about that another day).
8. Of these, what are your top 10 goals for next year?
9. What’s really most important to you? What are your top 4 values that will get you the results you want next year? I call these my “Cornerstones” and I “run” my decisions through them.
10. What support do you need to achieve your goals? Education, resources, consulting, coaching, a buddy, a support system, etc.

Okay, I know that there are really more than ten questions on that list. But, it’s worth it and you’re worth it. Have fun with it! And, let us know if there’s anything we can do to support you along the way!