They say the older you get; the quicker time goes. Well, I must be getting old because it does not feel like we should be heading towards 2025 just yet – January only seems like it was yesterday!
With the end of a year comes the chance to pause, take stock, and reflect. When you’re running a business is can feel like you’re on a treadmill and just keeping going, but it’s important to take a step back and assess what’s happened during the year before charging into the new year. This gives us the chance to celebrate our achievement, learn from the challenges we’ve faced and set ourselves up for success in 2025.
In this blog I’d like to share with you six questions that will help you to reflect on your year.
1. What were my brightest achievements this year, and how did I accomplish them?
Take a moment to look back on your greatest successes in 2024. Whether it was hitting a revenue target, launching a new product, or building a stronger team, think about what made these achievements possible. Was it your strategic planning? The relationships you’ve built? Your ability to adapt? Acknowledging what worked well gives you a roadmap to replicate success in the future.
2. What challenges did I face, how did I overcome them, and what did I learn about myself in the process?
Every business faces challenges—whether they come in the unexpected forms of economic shifts, internal struggles, or personal setbacks. Reflect on the challenges you’ve faced this year and the solutions you implemented.
More importantly, consider what these challenges taught you about yourself as a business owner. Perhaps you discovered resilience you didn’t know you had, or you learned the importance of delegating. These lessons are invaluable as you navigate future obstacles.
3. What relationships (personal or professional) had the most impact on my year, and how did I nurture them?
Your network of employees, clients, suppliers, mentors, and even personal relationships plays a massive role in your success. Which connections stood out this year? How did these relationships shape your business outcomes?
Take note of how you nurtured these relationships. Did you invest time in one-on-one meetings, provide value, or simply show genuine appreciation? Moving into 2025, think about how you can strengthen these bonds even further or expand your circle of influence to include new and impactful connections. (You can read more about the impact of your circle of influence here: https://blackcountry.actioncoach.co.uk/using-your-circle-of-influence-to-grow-your-business/)
4. What goals did I set at the beginning of the year, and how well did I align my actions to achieve them?
At the start of 2024, you likely had a vision for what you wanted to accomplish. Now is the time to measure your progress. Did you hit your targets, or did they evolve as the year went on? Reflect on how well your daily actions aligned with your long-term objectives.
If you find there was a gap between goals and outcomes, don’t see it as a failure—see it as an opportunity. Remember that the only failure is the failure to try and you’ve tried so you have created more opportunities than you had before.
5. What’s one thing I wish I had done differently this year, and what can I learn from that?
Nobody gets everything right all the time. Maybe you hesitated too long on a decision, underinvested in marketing, or neglected self-care in the name of business growth. Pinpointing one area you wish you’d handled differently can uncover valuable lessons.
As Marshall Goldsmith reminds us, “What got you here won’t get you there.” Learning from these moments is the key to evolving and reaching new heights in the year ahead.
6. What am I most proud of as I look back on the year, and how can I build on that momentum in 2025?
Ending the year with pride is crucial. Think about the moments that made you feel fulfilled or the milestones that reminded you why you started your business in the first place. Pride fuels confidence, and confidence drives momentum.
As you move into 2025, consider how you can take these proud moments and amplify them. Perhaps it’s moving forward wit a successful strategy, expanding a key product line, or investing in further growth.
Reflection is not about dwelling on the past; it’s about using it as a springboard for a brighter future. By asking yourself these six questions, you’re not only celebrating the journey but also laying the groundwork for an even more successful 2025.
Take time to sit with these questions and write down your thoughts. Why not share these questions with your team and encourage their own learning and growth.
Here’s to closing out 2024 strong and stepping into 2025 with purpose, clarity, and determination!
