Test: What do you need most from a personal review?

When your core values include making a difference, you may be keen to start planning for what you want to achieve in the year ahead. But if you want your efforts to truly bring a sense of meaning this year, then hold off until you’ve taken a deep dive into the year that’s just past. This is the ideal time to quietly acknowledge those everyday efforts that might go overlooked to others, or even yourself.

It’s good to savour significant achievements, laying them down as mood-boosting memories that you can call on when you need confidence or courage. But consciously reflecting on smaller wins is just as important to create a foundation of self-belief for the year ahead. Start your review by thinking about times when you stepped up, made a difference to others, acted with courage or kindness, or just made a change that brought your daily life more in line with your values.

If you’re struggling, try some journal prompts – what challenges did you overcome? When did your support make a difference to someone in need? Did you take a leap, or listen to your inner wisdom and let something go that was making you unhappy? Your aim is to capture what this year has shown you that you are capable of achieving in the months ahead.