A Different Kind of Year-End Review: 10 Steps to Reflect and Recharge

Financial professionals typically focus year-round on monetary goals and wealth management strategies. However, we also believe that true financial well-being is intrinsically linked to overall life satisfaction and personal growth.

This year, we're encouraging you to look beyond just the numbers. We invite you to conduct a personal year-end review encompassing all aspects of your life. This approach can provide valuable insights that enrich your personal life and inform and enhance your long-term financial decisions.

A thorough self-assessment can help you:

• Match your financial goals with your key aspirations
• Identify areas where you might need to adjust your financial strategy
• Uncover new opportunities for growth
• Align your wealth management approach with your overall life satisfaction

To guide you through this process, we’ve outlined ten elements to consider as you give yourself a year-end review:

1. Celebrate Your Wins

Start your review with a victory lap! What have you achieved this year that makes you beam with pride? Acknowledge these triumphs, whether it’s a professional milestone, a personal breakthrough, or simply sticking to a new habit. Write them down and savor the sense of accomplishment. This exercise boosts your confidence and sets a positive tone for your review.

Consider creating a “success journal” to document your achievements throughout the year. This practice can be incredibly motivating and a powerful reminder of your capabilities when facing future challenges.

2. Chronicle Your Skill Evolution

This year, what new skills have you acquired or honed? Every skill adds to your toolkit, from mastering a new language to perfecting a recipe. Reflect on the sources of these skills—was it a course, a mentor, or a serendipitous encounter? Recognizing your growth can inspire you to continue expanding your horizons.

Don’t underestimate the power of tiny improvements. The most impactful changes come from consistently working on a skill over time. Consider how you can build on these skills in the coming year to reach new heights of expertise.

3. Relive Your Best Experiences

What moments this year made your heart race with joy? These experiences, whether grand adventures or simple pleasures, are the essence of life. Identify what made these moments special and consider how you can recreate that magic in the future. Perhaps it’s the spontaneity of a surprise trip or the tranquility of a quiet evening at home.

Create a visual representation of these moments—a photo collage or a digital slideshow. This tangible reminder of your best experiences can motivate you and provide year-long joy.

4. Cultivate Gratitude

As the holiday season approaches, take notice of the people and things you’re grateful for. Gratitude is a powerful tool that can shift your perspective and enhance your well-being. Consider giving thanks to those who’ve made a difference in your life. A heartfelt note or a simple gesture can strengthen bonds and spread joy.

Try implementing a daily gratitude practice. Noting three things you’re thankful for each day can improve your outlook and overall happiness.

5. Assess Your Health Holistically

Reflect on your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Have you nourished your body with wholesome foods and regular exercise? Did you prioritize self-care and mental health? Identify areas for improvement and set realistic strategies to enhance your well-being in the coming year.

Consider creating a “wellness wheel” that visually represents different aspects of your health—physical, emotional, social, spiritual, intellectual, and occupational. Rate your satisfaction in each area and use this as a guide for setting balanced health goals.

6. Evaluate Your Relationships

Relationships are the fabric of our lives. Reflect on the connections that have enriched your year. Who has been your support system during challenging times? Have you nurtured these relationships? If you find gaps, consider how to forge new connections or deepen existing ones.

Consider mapping out your social network. This visual representation can help you identify which relationships you want to invest more time in and where you might want to expand your social circle.

7. Analyze Your Professional Journey

Your career can be a significant part of your identity. Have you felt fulfilled and challenged or stagnant and frustrated? Identify projects that energize you and consider how you can pursue similar opportunities. If necessary, contemplate a change that aligns better with your aspirations.

Try conducting a personal SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) for your career. This strategic approach can provide insights and help you make informed decisions about your professional future.

8. Identify Areas for Personal Growth

Self-improvement is a lifelong journey. Consider areas where you wish to grow or change. What held you back this year? Was it a lack of time, resources, or motivation? Understanding these barriers can help you strategize effectively for the future.

For each area of desired growth, try to identify a role model or mentor who excels in that area. Their journey and guidance may provide insight and inspiration as you work toward your goals.

9. Set Ambitious and Challenging Goals

Armed with thoughts and ideas from your review, set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals. Challenge yourself, and consider how you structure your goals. Remember, a goal without a plan is just a wish.

Consider categorizing your goals into short-term (3-6 months), medium-term (6-12 months), and long-term (1-5 years). This approach allows you to create a balanced set of objectives that keep you motivated with quick wins while working toward bigger aspirations.

10. Craft Your Roadmap

Finally, devise an approach to help you pursue your goals. Break them down into actionable steps with clear deadlines. Regularly review your progress and be flexible enough to make adjustments as needed. This proactive approach can help you stay on track and motivated throughout the year.

Consider using a project management tool or app to track your goals and progress. Many of these tools allow you to set milestones and reminders and even collaborate with others who might support you in your journey.

Investing in Yourself

This year-end review is a gift to yourself—a chance to reflect, learn, and grow. As you navigate the holiday season, take the time to conduct this personal review and set the stage for a fulfilling and prosperous new year.

Remember, this process is not about perfection but progress. Be kind to yourself as you reflect on the past and plan for the future. Celebrate your growth, learn from your challenges, and approach the new year with optimism and determination.

Consider making this year-end review a tradition, perhaps even involving loved ones. Sharing your reflections and goals can create a support system and add an element of accountability to your plans.

As you embark on this journey of self-reflection and goal-setting, remember that the most important investment you can make is in yourself. Your personal growth and well-being are the foundations upon which all other successes are built. Here’s to a year of reflection, growth, and exciting new possibilities!