Tilda Publishing
Career Development
How to Get Ready for a New Productive Year
As the year comes to a close, it's the perfect time to reflect, recharge, and prepare for the year ahead. Over the past five years, I’ve made it a tradition to step back from the hustle of daily life, spend quality time with my family, and reflect on the year’s accomplishments. This habit has helped me recharge my energy and set meaningful goals for the future.
As I wrap up this year’s activities, I wanted to share some techniques that have worked well for me. These are not groundbreaking methods, but rather a combination of tools and ideas I’ve tailored to suit my needs. I hope they inspire you to take charge of your goals and start the new year with renewed focus and energy.
As I wrap up this year’s activities, I wanted to share some techniques that have worked well for me. These are not groundbreaking methods, but rather a combination of tools and ideas I’ve tailored to suit my needs. I hope they inspire you to take charge of your goals and start the new year with renewed focus and energy.
Time Machine
One of the biggest challenges at the end of the year is remembering everything you’ve accomplished. I call this "inflation of expectations," similar to how we grow accustomed to upgrades in our lives. For instance, when you first move into a new house or buy a car, it feels life-changing. But a few months later, it becomes your new normal, and you forget how far you’ve come.
To combat this, I like to revisit the beginning of the year and refresh my memory of what I set out to achieve. If you’ve kept a list of goals, great! If not, take some time to scroll through your calendar, emails, work reports, or even social media posts to jog your memory. Write down significant milestones—big or small—that stood out to you.
This could include personal achievements, work projects, family events, or anything that made a difference in your life. In my experience, when I do this exercise, my list ends up being twice as long as what I could remember off the top of my head. Reflecting on these milestones is an excellent way to practice gratitude and celebrate your progress.
To combat this, I like to revisit the beginning of the year and refresh my memory of what I set out to achieve. If you’ve kept a list of goals, great! If not, take some time to scroll through your calendar, emails, work reports, or even social media posts to jog your memory. Write down significant milestones—big or small—that stood out to you.
This could include personal achievements, work projects, family events, or anything that made a difference in your life. In my experience, when I do this exercise, my list ends up being twice as long as what I could remember off the top of my head. Reflecting on these milestones is an excellent way to practice gratitude and celebrate your progress.
Giving Back
Once you’ve compiled your list of accomplishments, take a moment to think about the people who helped you along the way. Who supported you, inspired you, or made your successes possible? It’s time to express your gratitude to them.
This can be as simple as sending a heartfelt message, writing a thank-you note, or even calling someone to let them know you appreciate their impact on your life. Personally, I’ve found that sharing gratitude not only lifts the spirits of others but also recharges my own energy. There’s something powerful about acknowledging the connections we share with others.
For the last two years, I’ve hosted a "company retrospective meeting" in December. In this meeting, every employee has the opportunity to share significant company milestones or express gratitude to a colleague. The positive energy from these sessions stays with us long after the meeting is over, making the holiday season even more fulfilling.
This can be as simple as sending a heartfelt message, writing a thank-you note, or even calling someone to let them know you appreciate their impact on your life. Personally, I’ve found that sharing gratitude not only lifts the spirits of others but also recharges my own energy. There’s something powerful about acknowledging the connections we share with others.
For the last two years, I’ve hosted a "company retrospective meeting" in December. In this meeting, every employee has the opportunity to share significant company milestones or express gratitude to a colleague. The positive energy from these sessions stays with us long after the meeting is over, making the holiday season even more fulfilling.
Wishlisting
Now that you’ve reflected on the past, it’s time to look ahead. Start by writing down everything you’d like to accomplish in the coming year. Don’t hold back—this is your chance to dream big. Whether it’s quitting smoking, writing a novel, or earning a new certification, put everything on the list without judgment.
Next, imagine that you’ve achieved each goal. Ask yourself: How would I know I’ve succeeded? How would it change my life? How would I feel? Write down your answers in as much detail as possible. This visualization exercise helps you connect emotionally to your goals and identify which ones truly matter to you.
Once your list is complete, prioritize your goals. Select the top five that feel most meaningful and think about the first step you can take to get started. For instance, if your goal is to improve your health, a good first step might be tracking your meals or consulting a nutritionist. Break your goals into manageable steps to avoid overwhelm and stay motivated.
Next, imagine that you’ve achieved each goal. Ask yourself: How would I know I’ve succeeded? How would it change my life? How would I feel? Write down your answers in as much detail as possible. This visualization exercise helps you connect emotionally to your goals and identify which ones truly matter to you.
Once your list is complete, prioritize your goals. Select the top five that feel most meaningful and think about the first step you can take to get started. For instance, if your goal is to improve your health, a good first step might be tracking your meals or consulting a nutritionist. Break your goals into manageable steps to avoid overwhelm and stay motivated.
Going Public
If you feel confident in your goals, consider sharing them publicly. This could be with friends, family, or colleagues—anyone who can help hold you accountable. Public commitment often increases motivation because others are aware of your aspirations and may check in on your progress.
If you’re not ready to go public, that’s fine too. Write your goals down somewhere you can revisit regularly. Set reminders to review them at the end of each month or quarter. This keeps your focus steady and helps prevent overcommitment or procrastination.
If you’re not ready to go public, that’s fine too. Write your goals down somewhere you can revisit regularly. Set reminders to review them at the end of each month or quarter. This keeps your focus steady and helps prevent overcommitment or procrastination.
Conclusion
Taking time to reflect, express gratitude, and set meaningful goals can transform how you approach the new year. These simple but effective techniques have helped me recharge, refocus, and embrace each new year with enthusiasm. I hope they do the same for you.
Wishing you a joyful holiday season, a Merry Christmas, and a happy, productive new year!
Wishing you a joyful holiday season, a Merry Christmas, and a happy, productive new year!