Summary

The article suggests reflecting on the past year by asking three powerful questions to foster personal growth and set meaningful goals for the upcoming year.

Abstract

Instead of the traditional approach to New Year's resolutions, the author proposes a reflective exercise involving three introspective questions. These questions are designed to acknowledge personal achievements, learn from mistakes, and release limiting beliefs. The author shares personal insights, such as pride in achieving sobriety, recognizing a new shopping addiction as a substitute for past habits, and the decision to let go of a lifelong belief of not being good enough. The article encourages readers to review their own accomplishments, mistakes, and outdated goals to make room for new, attainable intentions that align with their current life and happiness.

Opinions

The author values the philosophy of "Everything is figure-outable" by Marie Forleo, suggesting a proactive approach to life's challenges.
Reflecting on past achievements is important for self-acknowledgment and building self-worth.
Mistakes are seen as opportunities for learning and growth, rather than just failures.
The author believes in the importance of letting go of limiting stories that no longer serve one's personal development.
There is an emphasis on setting realistic and meaningful goals that contribute to personal happiness and fulfillment.
The article suggests that reviewing one's calendar, notes, or journal can help in recognizing and crediting oneself for both small and significant victories.
The author advocates for rethinking and updating goals to ensure they align with one's current life circumstances and aspirations.
The article promotes the idea of releasing old resentments and angst to make way for new intentions, using a quote from Marie Forleo to emphasize the benefits of letting go.

Try Asking These 3 Powerful Questions Before the End of the Year

New Year’s resolutions? I'm not saying resolutions aren't necessary; however, let's take a different view.

I've been a New Year's resolutions maker for as long as I can remember.

I look forward to it. It is a way to wipe the slate clean of last year's missteps and start fresh.

However, is there a better way?

Marie Forleo, successful entrepreneur and author of Everything is Figureoutable, suggests a different idea.

I love her philosophy — everything is figure-outable.

She suggests that instead of setting goals for the upcoming year, we ask ourselves three questions:

What did you do, create, or experience that you're proud of?
What’s one mistake you made that taught you something? What lessons did you learn that you can leverage?
What's one limiting story you're ready to let go of before the New Year?

I have several answers to the first question — what am I proud of?

I achieved five years of sobriety. I'm darn pleased with that.
My pickleball skills have improved — finally! I'd been languishing at the same level for over one year.
In the first ten months of 2023, my writings and earnings on Medium and Illumination have increased monthly. Sadly, since October, they've tanked. Yet I'm proud that I keep writing.

Mistake?

Although I've achieved sobriety, I've developed an unhealthy habit of shopping for unneeded items.

My closet is now overloaded with beautiful sweaters, jackets, and other lovely pieces I didn't need and must now force myself to wear to alleviate my guilt.

My justification was that I was earning money I had never expected, so why not treat myself?

It appears that I've substituted one addiction for another. This was a wake-up call.

I'm kicking that wasteful habit to the curb.

I have always donated items I no longer wear to charities. I'll be heading there tomorrow.

Limiting story

For years, okay, maybe my whole life, I've believed I'm not good enough.

Good enough for what, you may ask?

Oh, just about anything good, fair, and deserving in my life.

Without going into pop psychology, I know this sad way of thinking comes from childhood trauma.

It's time to drop that old victim sob story and acknowledge that I am deserving of all good things.

I've worked hard all my life. I've raised two amazing sons, predominately single-handedly. I cared for them, and they always had what they needed.

I've been kind and helpful to others to the best of my ability.

I live by values that allow me to be proud.

So, enough of that nonsense. It no longer serves me, and I question whether it ever did.

Bye-bye to that limiting story.

What about you?

Will you consider these questions sincerely and see what you arrive at?

It may be helpful to look back on your calendar, notes, or journal to see what you've accomplished that you haven't taken full credit for.

Or the win was significant, and you know exactly how you achieved it and why you went for it.

We're wired NOT to congratulate ourselves for our victories — big or small.

Now is the time to revisit this area. Of course, you've had wins — it's time to acknowledge them.

Do you regret the mistakes you’ve made?

It's time to review them, as well, and see what we can learn from them. This is not a reason to beat ourselves up but to learn from them.

Have you carried an item or two from the previous year's goal list into the next year? It may be time to rethink these goals.

Could it be that it no longer fits you or the life you've created? Or have you put other issues ahead of this item yet still want it?

I plan to accomplish a few things, such as new granite countertops for our bathrooms, fresh paint, and a new shower.

I'm embarrassed to admit I procrastinated on this for the past two New Year's resolutions.

This is the year the bathrooms get an overdue remodel.

What about letting go of resentment, anger, and shame you've been lugging around for too long?

Just as cleaning out a closet allows freshness to enter — so does clearing out old goals and angst that is no longer valid today.

Let's make way for new and meaningful intentions.

I must drop my waistline ideal! If I haven't achieved it in the past five years — adios. Ain't going to happen.

It’s not till you let go of something that you see how it’s been holding you back.-Marie Forleo.

What do you think about goals? Do you still plan on setting them?

Goals are not a bad thing. They're a way of creating and achieving dreams and visions — and I say go for it.

However, keep them reasonable, attainable, and vital to your happiness. Otherwise, what's the point?

Wishing you a healthy, happy, and blessed 2024.