I love January. For me it represents a fresh start. It reminds me of when I was at school and that feeling I got when I opened a new exercise book. Everything is possible. I can do things better. I can learn and make improvements. I can grow and walk closer to God. I am embarking on a new adventure.
Every January I take the time to look back and to look forward. I look back at the last 12 months. I stop and pause and ask myself questions that help me to reflect, take stock, discover and be grateful.
These are some of the types of questions I ask. You might want to try them on yourself. I find it helpful to journal the answers as I then have a record I can refer back to and I can also use them as a basis for prayer, coaching or accountability.
1. What went well? Thinking about what worked or what went right is a great foundation for gratitude. It also helps to contemplate how you can do more of what worked. What contributed to your successes?
2. Where did I settle or fail? We can all learn from our mistakes or failures. What would you do differently next time? What have you learnt?
3. What was God teaching or showing me? For years God would talk to me about not being so busy and taking time to 'be still'. It took me years to learn and was a recurring theme in my life – and still is, sometimes. What is God talking to you about? How is he working to transform you?
4. How well did I do at living out my passion and purpose? It can be difficult sometimes to focus on the important over the urgent. What is God asking you to focus on in this season and how well did you do at making that your priority in 2014?
5. How much did I invest in my relationships? Relating is one of the most important things that we do. Loving God and loving others. How would you relate the quality of your relationships last year? What if anything could you have improved or done better?
6. What does my bank account and diary tell me about my priorities and focus last year? Have a flick through your accounts and your diary and ask yourself what it reveals about your priorities and focus. Did you invest your time and money where you most wanted to?
What word or sentence would I use to sum up the theme of my year? My phrase for last year was 'building foundations'. I was starting a new business with my husband, my son started school and it was my second year in a new city. What sums up last year for you?
Once I have looked back, I then turn my attention forward. What do I want to be intentional about over the next 12 months? These are some of the questions I ask as I consider the year ahead.
7. What do I want to create? When you look back next December what do you want to have done or created? What needs to happen for you to achieve those things?
8. What are my top three priorities for this year? We can't focus on everything as we have limited time and resources. What are the three main priorities that you want to focus on for 2015? How can you be intentional about these?
9. Where do I think God is asking me to serve or invest my time, money and skills? It might be that God is asking you to do more of what you are doing or perhaps he is nudging you to take a new direction. Spend some time in prayer and ask him how you can best serve him this year?
10. What do I want to learn, develop or improve? It is good for our mind and soul to keep learning and transforming. What do you want to change or develop about yourself this year? What or who do you need to help you achieve this?
11. Which relationships will I invest in this year? We can only invest in about 10-12 close relationships at any one time. Who are the people you want to invest in this year? How can you be intentional about doing this?
12. How can I invest in my relationship with God? What will help you to grow closer in intimacy with God this year?
13. What word or sentence do I think sums up my theme for the coming year? You might want to write your word or phrase on a piece of paper and stick it by your desk or somewhere you can see it regularly as a reminder.
It is great to think intentionally about the year ahead but if you want to make sure that you stick to your goals and intentions, it can help if you put some support and accountability in place. You might find it helps to share your goals or intentions with a trusted friend, spiritual director, coach or prayer partner. It can be really helpful to have someone who can ask you how you are doing and checks in on your progress.
Wishing you a very happy New Year.
Sarah Abell is a coach, speaker and author. For more information go to www.nakedhedgehogs.com
