Reflect, Celebrate, and Build Your Best Year Yet

A Year-End Reflection: Celebrating Wins and Looking Ahead

As we approach the end of the year, many of us take a moment to reflect on the months gone by. For most, it’s a time to evaluate how much we’ve accomplished. If you're like me, this can often bring up a feeling of falling short, where we focus on missed goals or setbacks. Sound familiar?

Reflection, however, is one of the most powerful yet overlooked practices for growth. And the thing is, it shouldn’t be confined to just the last day of the year. For me, reflecting has become a monthly habit, one that forces me to pause, reassess, and celebrate what I’ve achieved, no matter how big or small. My monthly newsletter plays a key role in this process, acting as a prompt to take a step back and assess my progress. It helps me pause and review the month, ensuring that I stay grounded and continue moving forward with intention, instead of waiting until December 31st to look back.

For those looking to dive deeper into the power of reflection, I highly recommend reading this insightful post by Mark Haner , Director of North American Sales at LinkedIn: Reflection as Superpower. It's a great reminder of how reflection can be a transformative tool for both personal and professional growth.

While it’s easy to see the missed opportunities, reflection helps us connect the dots: from where we were, to where we are now, and to where we want to go next. But here’s the key — it’s not just about celebrating wins. It’s about learning from the challenges and setbacks, too. These moments can teach us the most, but only if we approach them with curiosity and self-compassion, not self-judgment.

Four Simple Steps for Reflecting on 2024

I’ve learned a lot about reflection from Hal Elrod, who suggests four simple steps to help us reflect on the year:

1. Celebrate Your Wins

Reflecting on the wins, no matter how small, is key. Here’s what I’m celebrating in 2024:

• Progress on my ICF ACC credential journey I completed my training with Avni Martin early this year and have clocked close to 50 coaching hours, with more planned for 2025. Coaching referrals and word-of-mouth clients have increased, allowing me to focus on delivering high-quality sessions.
• Becoming a Wealth & Joy Coach This wasn’t part of my original 2024 resolutions, but I took a leap of faith. I completed the training and clocked over 30 sessions, helping individuals simulate their lives from age 20-60.
• A dream trip to Bhutan Visiting Bhutan was more than just a trip; it was fulfilling a personal dream and a reminder of why I work so hard.
• Diving into music I earned a certificate in contemporary music fundamentals and even wrote my first song this year!
• Commitment to personal healing I invested significant time and resources into my healing journey, including attending a transformative 4-day workshop on "The Completeness of Reality."

2. Identify Lessons Learned

Reflecting on the lessons is essential for growth. Here’s what I’ve learned this year:

• Ambitious goals drive progress. Even if you don’t achieve everything, aiming high helps you grow.
• Foundational systems matter. Organizing my life with the PARA method and Building a Second Brain has been transformative for managing information and tasks.
• Health is non-negotiable. I learned the hard way that balancing professional and personal goals with health is crucial.

3. Acknowledge Areas for Improvement

While I’ve made progress, I know there’s room for improvement, especially when it comes to leveraging technology and managing energy more efficiently. Here’s where I’d like to focus moving forward:

• Health: I need to prioritize fitness, eat healthier, and sleep earlier in 2025.
• Reflection: Monthly reflections are great, but I’d like to write more personal entries in my journal.
• Leveraging AI: I can better use AI tools to manage my time and energy effectively.

4. Express Gratitude

Gratitude shifts our focus from what’s missing to what’s already abundant in our lives. I’m incredibly grateful for the support of my company, Tencent. Being in a challenging yet fulfilling environment has pushed me to grow, both personally and professionally. My colleagues, managers, and the many activities we’ve enjoyed together—whether cycling, arts jamming, or other exciting initiatives—have made this year truly special. I’m also thankful for the opportunities to expand my skills through coaching, travels, and certifications.

On a personal note, I’m grateful for my health, still able to donate blood, recently reaching my 46th donation milestone. To everyone I’ve met this year, whether friends or acquaintances, it’s been a blessing to cross paths with you. A heartfelt thank you to all the 贵人 I’ve had the privilege of meeting.

Looking Ahead: 2025 Career Goals

If this year felt tough—whether you’re stuck in a job that doesn’t spark joy or navigating the challenges of transitioning into your dream role—know that you’re not alone. I’m here to help. Feel free to reach out for guidance or support, and let’s work together to build a career you’re excited about.

Book Recommendations to Kickstart Your New Year

As promised, here are two standout books I highly recommend for anyone striving to make 2025 their best year yet:

1. “Your Best Year Yet” by Debbie Ford This book presents 11 thought-provoking reflection questions to help you reset and align with your goals. One question to consider: “What would you need to create over the next twelve months to honestly consider this the best year of your life?” Interested in diving deeper? Message me with the phrase “My Best Year Yet,” and I’ll send you the PDF worksheet!
2. “The 12 Week Year” by Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington Transform your annual goals into actionable 12-week plans. This framework is perfect for maintaining focus and achieving milestones more efficiently, giving you the clarity and motivation to act now instead of waiting for the year to unfold.

Let’s make 2025 a year of clarity, growth, and purpose! As the quote by John Dewey goes,

“We don’t learn from experience... we learn from reflecting on experience.”

Take time to reflect, celebrate your wins, and step boldly into the new year with confidence and direction.

?? Bonus Gift for My Readers

To help you reflect on 2024 and set yourself up for success in 2025, I’m offering a free PDF resource: The Year Compass. This simple yet powerful tool guides you through reflecting on the past year and planning the year ahead.

?? Download it here: Year Compass