In this article, we'll take a closer look at why most of life year reviews might not be all they're cracked up to be and offer some snarky (but effective) alternatives for reflection and goal-setting.
The Small Missing Pieces
In most of our year review, We love to brag about our big achievements, don't we? New job? Check. Promotion? Check. Personal best in the marathon? Double check. And there's nothing wrong with a little celebratory bragging.
But here's the thing: our worth as human beings isn't solely determined by how many big wins we rack up. In fact, it's often the small wins that make the biggest difference in our daily lives and contribute to our overall happiness. So let's not neglect the little victories in favor of only celebrating the home runs. It's time to give those small wins the recognition they deserve.
So instead of just writing down the big wins, I should include small wins too, right? Well, yes and no. Hear me out, most of us can barely remember our small wins, and even if we do manage to remember them all, our review is going to end up being a 10-page essay long.
But don't worry, there's a solution! Instead of trying to tackle everything in one massive year review, shrink it down to more manageable monthly or weekly reviews. This way you can stay on top of your progress, celebrate your all wins (big and small), and avoid overwhelming yourself with a never-ending achievement.
(Some prefer daily but for me it's too much, I will write about this later)
Loser As Part Of Ourselves
Our losses and setbacks are just as much a part of our journey as the wins and we (often intentionally) excluded them in the year review. Ignoring or minimizing them does a disservice to ourselves and our growth as individuals.
By including our losses in a review doesn't mean we have to dwell on them or beat ourselves up. It's about acknowledging and reflecting on these experiences in a healthy and constructive way. By doing so, we can gain valuable insights and develop strategies for how to handle similar challenges in the future.
Also, there are times when we simply do not want to show our scars. And that's fine! Instead of trying to fit everything into one tiny year review post and share with the entire world, consider journaling, self-authoring, or finding a community or accountability partner with whom you can share your wins and loses. There's no one size that fits all, so you might have to find the method that works best for you.
Grass Is Always Greener
It's easy to get caught up in the 'grass is always greener' mentality when we see our friends posting about their big wins on social media. Remember that everyone's journey is different, and it's important to recognize that external markers of success are not the only measure of worth and happiness.
So how do we combat this tendency to compare ourselves to others? One solution is to remember that social media is not always an accurate representation of someone's life. It's easy to highlight the positive and ignore the negative, so try not to take everything at face value.
Additionally, consider setting your own personal goals and benchmarks, rather than comparing yourself to others. By focusing on your own growth and progress, you can avoid falling into the comparison trap and find more fulfillment and happiness in your own journey.
Final Thought
Well, that's a wrap on this year review discussion. Personally, I've been doing annual reviews since 2019, but this year I decided to shake things up and try out some healthier and more practical alternatives for personal development. And guess what? I shared my insights with some close friends, and as of now, I haven't seen a single one of their 2022 year reviews yet. So I guess that means it's working, right? (Just kidding, sort of.)
In all seriousness, I hope my suggestions are helpful to you as you reflect on the past year and set intentions for the future. Remember, year reviews are about more than just ourselves. By sharing a healthy and constructive approach, we can make a positive ripple effect on those in our circles.
Thanks for reading & Happy new year ?
