Valentine’s day is here which means we’re already well into 2021 despite the lockdown making the days seem long and endless. We’re in February, which made me realize that I have not yet stopped to reflect on what I want for this new year.
Ideally, this reflection should have happened in December but there’s no rule that says reflection only has to happen at the end of the year. In fact, regular reflections are recommended to help us keep track of our goals.
With what’s happening in the world, I’ve been trying to enjoy and cherish every moment as small as it might be and not focusing so much on the future. However, at some stage we need to reflect, plan and take focused action towards our big goals.
7 questions to ask yourself for deep reflection
- What worked well in 2020 and what I am grateful for?
- What was most challenging for me in 2020?
- What lessons did I learn in 2020?
- What could I have done better? Was I compassionate and kind to myself and others?
- Looking back overall, how do I rate my happiness on a scale of 1-10 and why?
- What does success look like to me this year?
- Who do I want to become in 2021 and what do I need to do to get there?
How to set goals and create small action steps
- Set SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bounded). Specify the target date to achieve the goal
- Describe in as much detail as possible why the goal is important to you, what it mean to you, how you will feel once you achieve the goal and how it will benefit you once achieved
- List any roadblocks or challenges that can prevent you from achieving your goal by the target date
- Check that each goal follows the SMART criteria
- Break each goal down into smaller action steps
2020 has been such a different and challenging year for humanity. Covid-19 has revealed our fragility but also our resilience, strength and compassion. Let us take this opportunity to reflect, plan the journey towards our dreams and become better human beings.
