As I approach the end of each year, I like to look back at what happened and what I can learn from it.  Whether it’s been a busy year, a fantastic year, or a challenging year, I always try to find time to examine elements of work and life to see how it compares to previous years.  Then I look for ways to build to better in the coming year.

Considering the time of year, I also want to reflect on where I’m grateful and how I want to recognize that gratitude.

I’ve also learned many ways on how to reflect and build to better each year.  I’ll share some of that in this article if you have never done a personal annual review or if you are looking for some new ideas for your own review.

What is a Personal Annual Review?

As you reflect on your work, family, health, and relationships in all areas for the year, you might want to consider what’s improved, what’s not improved, or what might be the same (and if you are ok with “same”).

I started this practice over 20 years ago when I first worked with an executive coach provided through my company at the time.  The questions he shared with me in a simple worksheet had me thinking about many different aspects of my work and life.  

Those questions were not always easy to answer, but they helped me think about what I might want to be different.  It helped me set new expectations and ways of thinking about the next year.  Those questions also had me notice patterns of how I reacted in certain stressful situation and how I might choose different and more productive responses.

Since then, my Personal Annual Review has changed almost every year as I find different things to reflect on.  When I was working with my friend Jean Tabaka, she gave me the question “What do you want to let go of for next year?”  I now spend time with that question even if I’m pressed for time in my annual review. Recently, my colleague Tonianne DeMaria reminded me of the importance of energy management.  So I’ve added reflection questions on what (or who) gives me energy or takes it and how I respond in those situations.  I’m grateful to Jean and Tonianne for those ideas.

Another aspect of this annual reflection practice is choosing the time and place for reflection.

Finding Your Best Time for Reflection

I have found I cannot reflect in one session. Even when I had three young children running around the house, I might get a thirty-minute block of time to reflect on specific questions.  Then, the next day, I would think of additional answers to those questions.  Since then, I’ve always looked to walk away and then back to the reflection a couple of times.  This helps me respond more completely to the reflection questions.

Also, the time of day can be important.  I learned long ago that my mornings become my most productive time. So I save some of my mornings for these reflection sessions.  

My most productive reflections also have a rhythm: I answer some of the questions, wait a couple of days, review my answers and add to them, and then answer a couple of additional questions.  So my annual reflection process typically spans 2-3 weeks based on other demands on my time.

This is what makes the end of the year the best time for my personal annual review.  I usually start in mid-November and will finish in late December.  The early parts of the reflection look back on my year through different lens and then the later parts look at what I want to add and remove from the year to come.

Because of this “season of reflection” approach, I find the end of the year works best for me.  I’m usually too busy the rest of the year. Where I reflect also matters.

Finding Your Best Place for Reflection

Where you reflect matters. For me, I have certain spots in my home that I like to use for reflection.  These spaces have a majority of natural light and allow me to look out and around to the beautiful parts of yard.  For one of our sons, he’s found a local park or a nearby bridge at sunset is his favorite place for reflection.  I tend to reflect inside as I prefer to capture notes on a laptop.  But sometimes I’ll capture notes on my phone while I have some free time and a quiet spot outside to reflect on my questions.

Your “best place” also is determined by your state of mind while reflecting.  Early morning serves as the best part of my day for deep thinking as I’ve yet to be interrupted by anything.  Giving yourself space from interruption also helps.  Before we had focus mode on devices, I would use airplane mode to make sure my digital note-taking wasn’t interrupted.  You may prefer a paper journal which does well to minimize interruption.

How you answer the questions also puts you in the right place for reflection.  If I answer the reflection questions as if I’m explaining to a friend, it helps me capture important details.  You may recognize this as my “write through it” approach.

What About Your Review?

Do you review your year and build to better the next?  What does that process look like for you?  I would welcome hearing about your process.

If you don’t have a personal annual review process and would like my help in reflecting on your year, I’m happy to help.  I’m grateful for my readers.  So I’m opening up space on my calendar for 10 of my newsletter subscribers.  If you sign up, I’ll send you this year’s worksheet for my Personal Annual Review and you can schedule a one-hour call with me to help you reflect on your answers to the worksheet.  I’m charging a small fee to make sure we are both committed to this reflection process.  The proceeds (minus costs) will be donated to a charity in my area.  One of my reflections in the past year was to do more locally.

If you are interested in my help with your Personal Annual Review, you can contact me here.

P.S. I’m only making this available to newsletter subscribers because I’m grateful to you.  I’m not posting this to social media.

P.P.S. I’m changing the name of my company from K5 Labs to Build to Better to make it more clear how I work with people and organizations.  I’m grateful for the opportunities to help others build to better.