2024 Reflection prompts - for a look in the rear view mirror (for quiet achievers)
HOW TO START:
Listen to the video prompts (15 mins).
You can copy and paste these prompts into your phone or laptop, and write notes next to them where they resonate. Or simply journal on paper while reading each prompt.
Example Prompt: ‘Did you take care of any family or friends’ you’ll respond,‘I took care Bob when he needed somewhere to stay’
Not everything will land, so skip what you like! But I have designed this list to broadly encompass and reflect on all the achievements that are often unacknowledged… the ‘quiet achievers’.
LONG VERSION ~15 mins (If time pinched, see the short version below ~5mins).
Family / Friends
Did you take care of any family or friends?
Did you support your family or friends in any way (emotionally, financially, etc.)?
Did you help anyone out (e.g., lending a hand in a time of need or offering advice)?
Did you receive help (this can be big for some people)?
Did you say any monumental ‘No’! (e.g., to set boundaries, protect your time or energy)?
Did you spend quality time connecting with loved ones, strengthening relationships?
Did you express appreciation for your family and friends (e.g., gratitude, affirmations)?
Relationships
Did you show up for someone else (caring for them, getting to know them, learning their interests and hobbies)?
Did you practise putting in boundaries to take care of yourself?
Did you listen to your intuition to guide you in relationships? How did this feel?
Did you nurture new or existing relationships (e.g., new friendships, romantic partnerships)?
Did you communicate more openly or work on improving your communication skills?
Did you prioritise healthy or supportive relationships and distance from toxic ones?
Career
Did you overcome any key obstacles in your career?
Did you find a work-life balance that worked for you?
Did you contribute to the learning and growth of someone else (mentorship, guidance, knowledge-sharing)?
Did you achieve any career milestones (e.g., promotions, new roles, or projects)?
Did you improve or change your career strategy (e.g., gaining new skills, expanding your network)?
Did you explore any new career paths or shift your focus?
Did you focus on building long-term career sustainability or aligning with your values?
Learning & Development
Did you sign up for and complete any courses (formal education, online learning, certifications)?
Did you share your skills and knowledge with others (teaching, mentoring, speaking)?
Did you spend time in reflection, goal planning, or self-assessment?
Did you spend time executing on those goals (and track your progress)?
Did you prioritise lifelong learning and challenge yourself with new subjects or skills?
Did you learn from failures, adapt, and use them as opportunities for growth?
Transitions
Did you move homes?
Did you change jobs?
Did you adapt to new technologies (e.g., AI, software, new tools in your industry)?
Did you experience any major life transitions (e.g., relocation, new family dynamics, etc.)?
Did you reinvent or rebrand yourself in any way (e.g., personal or professional transformation)?
Global
Did you manage stressful world events, news, etc.?
Did you make any changes to adapt to global events (e.g., health guidelines, political shifts)?
Did you engage with or contribute to any global causes or initiatives (e.g., social justice, sustainability)?
Did you develop a new awareness or perspective on global or social issues?
Did you limit or manage media consumption to protect your mental health?
Health
Did you take any classes for fitness or health (e.g., yoga, Pilates, strength training)?
Did you try anything new to take care of yourself (e.g., alternative therapies, wellness practices)?
Did you make any shifts to improve your physical health (e.g., exercise routine, sleep habits)?
Did you prioritise mental health (e.g., meditation, therapy, emotional wellness practices)?
Did you listen to your body and practise self-care consistently?
Did you address any specific health concerns or set health-related goals for the year?
Personal Growth & Emotional Health
Did you work on your emotional well-being (e.g., therapy, mindfulness, journaling)?
Did you confront any limiting beliefs or past trauma?
Did you practise self-compassion and self-acceptance?
Did you focus on building resilience or other emotional strengths?
Did you make an effort to heal or forgive (either yourself or others)?
Did you integrate new coping strategies for stress or emotional challenges?
Creativity & Passion Projects
Did you dedicate time to creative pursuits (e.g., writing, painting, music, photography)?
Did you start or complete any personal projects or passion projects?
Did you explore new hobbies or re-engage with old ones?
Did you push yourself out of your comfort zone creatively or artistically?
Did you make time for play, experimentation, or curiosity without pressure to be perfect?
Finances
Did you achieve any financial goals (e.g., savings, investments, paying off debt)?
Did you improve your financial literacy or create a solid financial plan?
Did you practise mindful spending or budgeting effectively?
Did you make any major financial investments or purchases (e.g., property, assets)?
Did you establish or grow an emergency fund or financial security net?
Did you explore ways to create passive income or additional revenue streams?
Did you receive or create a pay increase (e.g., promotion, raise, bonus, side hustle revenue)?
Spirituality or Philosophy
Did you explore or deepen your spiritual practices (e.g., meditation, prayer, rituals)?
Did you engage in philosophical or existential reflections (on purpose, meaning, or values)?
Did you practise gratitude regularly (journaling, acknowledging daily blessings)?
Did you expand your views on life, identity, or existence through new experiences?
Did you make space for personal reflection and connect with your higher self?
Community & Giving Back
Did you contribute to your community (e.g., volunteering, local organisations, supporting neighbours)?
Did you engage in acts of kindness, charity, or service?
Did you support any causes, charities, or movements (e.g., social justice, environmentalism)?
Did you engage in any group work or initiatives that made a positive impact?
Did you build meaningful connections within your community or professional network?
Social Connections & Networking
Did you build or expand your social or professional network in a meaningful way?
Did you attend any events, conferences, or networking opportunities?
Did you connect with people who align with your personal or professional values?
Did you nurture professional relationships that supported your growth?
Sustainability & Environment
Did you make changes to live more sustainably (e.g., reducing waste, conserving resources)?
Did you adopt any eco-friendly practices in your daily life (e.g., reducing plastic use, sustainable shopping)?
Did you contribute to environmental causes (e.g., supporting green initiatives or activism)?
Did you assess your carbon footprint and make adjustments to reduce your impact?
HOW TO END: Closing Reflections-
How was that process for you? Did you come away with a bit more than you anticipated? I’m sure you did. We often forget those small things that add up but essentially form a huge part of our life. I hope this exercise has given you the permission to ‘Netties and chill’ or whatever you do to slow down. You’ve done more than enough for 2024.
SHORT VERSION: (Approx 5 mins)
HOW TO START: You can copy and paste these prompts into your phone or laptop, and write notes next to them where they resonate. Or simply journal on paper while reading each prompt.
Example Prompt: ‘Did you take care of any family or friends’ you’ll respond,‘I took care Bob when he needed somewhere to stay’
Not everything will land, so skip what you like! But I have designed this list to broadly encompass and reflect on all the achievements that are often unacknowledged… the ‘quiet achievers’.
Family / Friends
Did you offer support to loved ones emotionally or practically?
Did you set boundaries to protect your time and energy?
Relationships
Did you nurture any meaningful relationships this year?
Did you practise healthy communication and boundary-setting?
Career
Did you overcome any major obstacles at work?
Did you achieve career milestones or improve your work-life balance?
Learning & Development
Did you invest in your learning (courses, certifications)?
Did you reflect on and take action towards personal growth goals?
Transitions
Did you experience any major life changes (e.g., move, new job)?
Did you reinvent or rebrand yourself in any way?
Global
Did you adapt to global events or contribute to a cause?
Did you manage your media consumption for mental health?
Health
Did you make positive changes to improve your physical or mental health?
Did you prioritise self-care and listen to your body?
Personal Growth & Emotional Health
Did you work on emotional well-being (e.g., therapy, mindfulness)?
Did you practise self-compassion and heal past wounds?
Creativity & Passion Projects
Did you dedicate time to creative pursuits or new hobbies?
Did you start or complete any personal passion projects?
Finances
Did you achieve financial goals (savings, debt repayment)?
Did you create or follow a solid financial plan, or increase your financial literacy?
Spirituality or Philosophy
Did you deepen your spiritual or philosophical practices?
Did you practise gratitude and reflect on your values?
Community & Giving Back
Did you contribute to your community or support causes?
Did you engage in acts of kindness or charity?
Social Connections & Networking
Did you expand your social or professional network?
Did you nurture relationships that support your growth?
Sustainability & Environment
Did you make sustainable lifestyle changes?
Did you contribute to environmental causes or reduce your carbon footprint?
HOW TO END: Closing Reflections-
How was that process for you? Did you come away with a bit more than you anticipated? I’m sure you did. We often forget those small things that add up but essentially form a huge part of our life. I hope this exercise has given you the permission to ‘Netties and chill’ or whatever you do to slow down. You’ve done more than enough for 2024.
