As the clock ticks toward the new year, it’s easy to feel the pull to leap right into goal-setting mode. We’re excited about fresh possibilities – and that excitement can overshadow the power of reflection. Frankly, that excitement is why we don’t reflect.
Who wants to look backward when we can be focused on the future?
I get it, but I’m here to tell you based on personal experience to slow down and reflect. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: Slowing down to take a snapshot of the past year is one of the most valuable steps you can take before setting goals for the year ahead.
Slowing down to reflect is your chance to capture the wins that lit you up, the challenges that shaped you, and the lessons that will guide your steps moving forward. By reviewing the snapshots of you’ve been, you gain clarity about what matters most and how to carry those priorities into the new year.
Spending time with a snapshot of the past year doesn’t just prepare you to set meaningful goals; it shifts your mindset.
Instead of rushing into the new year with arbitrary resolutions, you’ll step into it with intention, clarity, and purpose. Reflection isn’t about looking backward for its own sake—it’s about equipping yourself to move forward confidently. It’s about preparing yourself for what’s coming, armed with the knowledge and lessons picked up from what’s already been.
Here’s my guarantee. If you make and take the time to slow down and reflect before you set your new goals, you’ll unlock at least one thought that makes you better prepared for the year to come.
The goals you set today will shape the year to come, but they’re only as strong as the foundation you build them on. Use the lessons, insights, and clarity gained from your year-end reflection to lay that foundation.
As you prepare for 2025, remember this: Growth doesn’t come from doing more. It comes from doing the right things better. Take the time to reflect, and you’ll step into the new year with a clearer picture of what that looks like for you.
Your 2024 Snapshot starts here.
Download your 2024 Snapshot tool here and reflect on the questions it asks. Resist the urge to rush through this or simply “check the box” with this exercise. Step into this with an open mind, wrestle with some things, be honest with yourself, and celebrate the progress you made in 2024. Then, when you’re done with that, you’ll be ready to set your 2025 goals.
DOWNLOAD YOUR 2024 SNAPSHOT TOOL
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Ready for more?
If you liked this, then you might be interested in my new book, Living Life Daily. Designed to motivate and challenge you every day, this book offers 365 thought-provoking prompts that will push you to reflect, take action, and embrace meaningful change. Whether you’re striving to set clearer goals, build resilient habits, or cultivate a winning mindset, each daily entry is packed with wisdom and practical advice to help you take small steps toward big results. Find it here!
You’ll also get massive value out of the Grit Meets Growth podcast that I share with Chris Cathers. It’s for people who want more out of life… at work, at home, in their relationships, and in their health and wellness. Find it here or on your favorite podcast platform! – John
