As the year comes to a close, many of us have begun reflecting on the past 12 months of our lives and our businesses. For some, it was our best year yet. For others, we may have struggled and faced many challenges. Whatever happened, it’s important that the year ends on a positive note so that you can begin the next chapter on the right foot.
How do you do this? In truth, it is very much about perspective.
I recently watched a video were young woman explains the series of events that happened when she got in a car accident in the middle of nowhere. She reflected on how instead of panicking, she looked at the positives of the situation – “At least no one was hurt. Thank goodness someone drove by and was able to give us a ride. Good thing the tow guy was still awake.” On the surface, it was a terrible night! But because she was able to stay focused on the positive, she could stay calm, find solutions, and move forward. This same kind of optimistic approach can be applied as you look back on the year.
Whether you had an amazing year, a rough one, or it was just so-so, follow these steps to make sure it ends on a positive note:
Step 1: Assess
If you want to end your year on a high note, the first thing to do is to assess your progress over the past twelve months. What goals did you set? How many of those goals did you meet? What new experiences did you have? The more mindful we are about the changes in our lives, the easier it is to see the positive progress we have made. In business, your budget deviation analysis and your timeline can be great tools to measure your progress throughout the months of the year.
Step 2: Acknowledges the Losses But Celebrate The Wins
If you want to achieve happiness and success, then ignorance is not bliss. Our failures are part of our journey. Acknowledge them and then learn from them. At the same time, you don’t want to get stuck focusing on negatives. You need to celebrate your wins as well! Just like you do at the end of each day in your Success Journal, make a list of all of the things that you achieved and all the positive or happy events that happened this year. It’s a sure way to end 2017 on a positive note.
Step 3: Look Forward
The last step to wrapping up a good end to the year is to look towards the future with optimism. The New Year is a time for fresh starts. Take the next couple weeks to create a new list of goals and a plan for achieving them. As you do, think back on the past twelve months to know what you need to improve on and what you can continue doing right! And don’t forget to map out your new financial forecast and create a goal-setting timeline.
Ending your year on a high note is all about perspective. In every situation, there is a silver lining, whether it be a lesson learned or an unexpected opportunity discovered. Now, it’s time to look forward to 2020 with hope and positivity for continued success. Take the time to look over your business plan, review the progress you’ve made so far, and create a new set of goals to kick ass in the New Year.