beautifully summarized, Dan – love to see your approach to this process from a values reflection:
"So I’m going to stop working so hard on creating big annual reviews. Instead, I’ll focus on reflecting more often on what my values are, and if I’m living them out."
This is an awesome framework Cissy! I'm definitely going to incorporate some of your steps into my annual review this year! Always looking for ways to make mine more impactful.
I just read my 2022 year-end review and one thing I did that I really liked re-reading was in addition to the big areas of life, to also list a few of my favorite tiny moments from the year that remind me of specific good times in my life. For example, my favorite book I read that year, favorite memory with a friend, new music listened to, favorite new restaurant, something new I learned, etc. I enjoy tracking the big goals but have also found keeping track of the little moments to bring me more specific enjoyable memories. Thanks for writing this, can't believe it's already year-end review time!
Thanks for sharing! I especially liked your explanation of how your process has evolved over the years. I resonate with it and feel like I'm going through a similar evolution myself. And it explains the "why" behind the questions in your current review.
-"For so long, my measure of a year well lived was anchored to career success and jet setting across the world. Deep down, I didn’t know what I desired or valued so it was easy to slide into chasing thrill and glory in pursuit of curating an impressive highlight reel."
-"This approach set the foundation of the current iteration of my annual review, shifting my focus from external validation to inner fulfillment. The more I've turned inward, the clearer it is just how meaningful life becomes when we're driven by our inner world over material things."
glad to hear this resonated, Ray :) while I'm super grateful for the shift in external validation -> inner fulfillment over the years, the process of getting there hasn't always been easy. annual reviews have been such a meaningful practice to help me walk towards a freer versions of myself
Cissy! David Kiferbaum turned me to this piece as I told him what I was writing about this week. Once again, we are in alignment! I'm going to write about starting 2024 a bit earlier, the importance of reflecting on the problems we choose to have in addition to the things we enjoy, and the importance of identity setting (which you've put here so well!)
I love the level of detail here! Will definitely be giving you a shout out. Thank you for the inspiration!
Thank you for this template! Helps drive a lot of structure to the otherwise fuzzy approach I have. Also thanks for appreciating the years that we don’t check off bucket lists but should still pause and reflect the inner journey that we’ve been on.
enjoy! glad that it helps bring structure to your approach – it's amazing to see how much has happened over the last 365 days when we revisit the year, month by month :)
I appreciate the gentler language in this review: recalibration over metrics and goals, the internal over the external, who over what. I've come to a similar point myself: https://danscreativeoutlet.com/2023/10/18/values-for-the-eulogy-are-more-important-than-goals-for-the-year/.
beautifully summarized, Dan – love to see your approach to this process from a values reflection:
"So I’m going to stop working so hard on creating big annual reviews. Instead, I’ll focus on reflecting more often on what my values are, and if I’m living them out."
This is an awesome framework Cissy! I'm definitely going to incorporate some of your steps into my annual review this year! Always looking for ways to make mine more impactful.
I just read my 2022 year-end review and one thing I did that I really liked re-reading was in addition to the big areas of life, to also list a few of my favorite tiny moments from the year that remind me of specific good times in my life. For example, my favorite book I read that year, favorite memory with a friend, new music listened to, favorite new restaurant, something new I learned, etc. I enjoy tracking the big goals but have also found keeping track of the little moments to bring me more specific enjoyable memories. Thanks for writing this, can't believe it's already year-end review time!
glad to hear it! hope you have a meaningful end of year review :)
I love that zoom in on your favorites of the year! I used to have a section for it in step #2 and think I'll add it back to revisit the small moments. Kevin's template has a great list of favorites I've drawn inspiration from in the past: https://kevinleeme.notion.site/Annual-Review-Template-Public-971f80b7ada34f8489fce5ad8ecd3b3e
This is awesome, thanks for sharing Cissy!
This is an impressive piece, thank you.
thanks, Sadia – enjoy :)
Thanks for sharing! I especially liked your explanation of how your process has evolved over the years. I resonate with it and feel like I'm going through a similar evolution myself. And it explains the "why" behind the questions in your current review.
Some quotes I particularly liked:
-"For so long, my measure of a year well lived was anchored to career success and jet setting across the world. Deep down, I didn’t know what I desired or valued so it was easy to slide into chasing thrill and glory in pursuit of curating an impressive highlight reel."
-"This approach set the foundation of the current iteration of my annual review, shifting my focus from external validation to inner fulfillment. The more I've turned inward, the clearer it is just how meaningful life becomes when we're driven by our inner world over material things."
glad to hear this resonated, Ray :) while I'm super grateful for the shift in external validation -> inner fulfillment over the years, the process of getting there hasn't always been easy. annual reviews have been such a meaningful practice to help me walk towards a freer versions of myself
good luck with your review this month!
So well done, Cissy! Thank you for sharing your thoughtful framework. Excited to dive in!
happy annual review-ing, Nakia!
Thank you, Cissy! Getting my BF on board as well. Will report back!
that's amazing! would love to hear how it goes :)
Thanks for the template, gonna mix with some of mine. Let the exercise begin! 🙌
hope there are some good nuggets in there that make it into your annual review template :)
Amazing!
enjoy :)
Cissy! David Kiferbaum turned me to this piece as I told him what I was writing about this week. Once again, we are in alignment! I'm going to write about starting 2024 a bit earlier, the importance of reflecting on the problems we choose to have in addition to the things we enjoy, and the importance of identity setting (which you've put here so well!)
I love the level of detail here! Will definitely be giving you a shout out. Thank you for the inspiration!
really glad to hear this piece resonated, Camilo – it's really fun how aligned we are :)
much appreciate the shout out!
I love this format of an annual review. Thanks for providing the templates as well, Cissy. Bookmarking this!
enjoy, Becky! hope you have a meaningful end of year reflection :)
beautiful template for end of year reflection!
Such a great way to live life intentionally
all about that fully intentional life 😌
Thank you for this template! Helps drive a lot of structure to the otherwise fuzzy approach I have. Also thanks for appreciating the years that we don’t check off bucket lists but should still pause and reflect the inner journey that we’ve been on.
enjoy! glad that it helps bring structure to your approach – it's amazing to see how much has happened over the last 365 days when we revisit the year, month by month :)
enjoy! hope you draw some inspiration for your review :)