Annual Reflection Framework
Looking back to plan a better tomorrow.
Another year is gone in a blink.
Over half a million minutes of life lived. Taking time reflect on the status of key areas can help ensure the past was well spent and the future is more impactful. Borrowing from the techniques of others, the most prominent being the 4 Burner Theory*, I put together an exercise for myself to frame this valuable reflection.
I put aside about 3 hours and worked through each section. Thoughts, ideas, and insights began pouring out. The goal is not a resulting task list for the next year. The purpose is to frame yourself around what matters most. Each year should involve more of what matters and less of what doesn’t.
It’s about thoughtful action, not perfection.
Also, I will not be publishing my own reflections. The ratings and insights are (and should be) convicting and highly personal. It’s unrealistic to think a public audience wouldn’t bias my thoughts or vulnerability. Growth and maturity is the goal.
* The 4 Burner Theory. You’ll notice my prompt is different, but the intention is quite similar.
- The first burner represents your family.
- The second burner is your friends.
- The third burner is your health.
- The fourth burner is your work.
Family.
Overall Rating (1–5 stars): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐️
Spouse.
Rating (1–5 stars): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐️
Greatest Success?
Greatest Failure?
What would it take to increase 1 star in the coming year?
What is one upcoming change I should prepare for?
Children.
One summary per child.
Rating (1–5 stars): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐️
Greatest Success?
Greatest Failure?
What would it take to increase 1 star in the coming year?
What is one upcoming change I should prepare for?
Siblings.
One summary per sibling.
Rating (1–5 stars): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐️
Greatest Success?
Greatest Failure?
What would it take to increase 1 star in the coming year?
What is one upcoming change I should prepare for?
Parents.
One summary per parent.
Rating (1–5 stars): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐️
Greatest Success?
Greatest Failure?
What would it take to increase 1 star in the coming year?
What is one upcoming change I should prepare for?
Interpersonal
Overall Rating (1–5 stars): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐️
Friends.
One summary per friend (deep friendships).
Rating (1–5 stars): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐️
Greatest Success?
Greatest Failure?
What would it take to increase 1 star in the coming year?
What is one upcoming change I should prepare for?
Mentors.
One summary per mentor.
Rating (1–5 stars): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐️
Greatest Success?
Greatest Failure?
What would it take to increase 1 star in the coming year?
What is one upcoming change I should prepare for?
Mentees.
One summary per mentee.
Rating (1–5 stars): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐️
Greatest Success?
Greatest Failure?
What would it take to increase 1 star in the coming year?
What is one upcoming change I should prepare for?
Local Community.
Rating (1–5 stars): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐️
Greatest Success?
Greatest Failure?
What would it take to increase 1 star in the coming year?
What is one upcoming change I should prepare for?
Global Community.
Rating (1–5 stars): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐️
Greatest Success?
Greatest Failure?
What would it take to increase 1 star in the coming year?
What is one upcoming change I should prepare for?
Health
Overall Rating (1–5 stars): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐️
Physical Health.
Rating (1–5 stars): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐️
Greatest Success?
Greatest Failure?
What would it take to increase 1 star in the coming year?
What is one upcoming change I should prepare for?
Mental Health.
Rating (1–5 stars): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐️
Greatest Success?
Greatest Failure?
What would it take to increase 1 star in the coming year?
What is one upcoming change I should prepare for?
Professional / Work
Overall Rating (1–5 stars): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐️
Fulfillment.
Rating (1–5 stars): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐️
Greatest Success?
Greatest Failure?
What would it take to increase 1 star in the coming year?
What is one upcoming change I should prepare for?
Performance.
Rating (1–5 stars): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐️
Greatest Success?
Greatest Failure?
What would it take to increase 1 star in the coming year?
What is one upcoming change I should prepare for?
Your Boss / Supervisor.
Rating (1–5 stars): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐️
Greatest Success?
Greatest Failure?
What would it take to increase 1 star in the coming year?
What is one upcoming change I should prepare for?
Your Team.
Rating (1–5 stars): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐️
Greatest Success?
Greatest Failure?
What would it take to increase 1 star in the coming year?
What is one upcoming change I should prepare for?
This post was originally published on morganjlopes.com. If you’re interested in stuff like this and more, I’d love to see you there.
