This post is part of the Annual Review/Preview we are doing here on the blog to help us reflect on 2011 and plan for an amazing 2012. Learn more and sign up to join us if you want. You can also post your reflections on Twitter using the hashtag #reviewpreview.
After 12 whole months, it can be easy to forget all the things that happened to you this year. So here’s your chance to reflect on everything that came into your life in 2011 – good or bad. Consider this a review of 2011.
Today’s set of 10 guiding questions will require you to dig deep. It may be difficult to think back over the course of a year, but give this assignment at least an hour so your mind can quiet down, be still and remember what was important.
(Of course, you are free to use your own questions to conduct your review or simply use this list as a jumping-off point for something completely different.)
What I Want to Remember About 2011
- What was the most valuable lesson you learned this year?
- What was the biggest personal milestone you reached this year in your relationships, health, finances, education and/or lifestyle? (see my posts on creating a life map and crafting your ideal life narrative for more background on this question)
- What professional accomplishments (at work or in your business) are you most proud of this year?
- What was your favorite family moment from 2011?
- What was the best book/blog/song/movie/restaurant/city/country/etc. you discovered this year?
What I Want to Leave Behind in 2011
- Which personal development area(s) did you make the LEAST progress on this year: health, finances, education, relationships, family, work and/or lifestyle? (see my posts on creating a life map and crafting your ideal life narrative for more background on this question)
- What promises (to yourself or others) did you break in 2011?
- What arguments/gossip/hurtful comments, if any, did you participate in or make this year that you wish you could take back and/or apologize for?
- What opportunities, if any, did you miss out on in 2011 because of fear or procrastination?
- What did you do in 2011, if anything, that was out of alignment with your values? (see my posts on identifying your values and envisioning your values in action for more background on this question)
How did you feel as you were writing your review? Did anything surprise you about your reflections on this year?
When you’re done, feel free to share all or part of your review with us in the comments! If you blogged about it, be sure to post the link so we can read it. If you share your blog post on Twitter, please use the hashtag #reviewpreview!
Up Next: Preview 2012: What Do You Want to Bring into Your Life Next Year?
happyblackwoman
happyblackwoman
happyblackwoman
happyblackwoman
I’m late joining in but I am getting started. THE MOST valuable lesson I learned in 2011 (granted it was three days before the new year but better late than never) was I deserve to take care of myself as much as I take care of others. I always put myself last if at all (daughter, mother, cousins, friends…) and I never do for self. And I remembered something that I’ve always heard: if you are in a plane crash with your child, you have to put your mask on first so that you are ok enough to take care and save your child. So taking care of self is the number one most important thing that I’ve learned in 2011…so important I cried when I wrote it out.
KMN
What I want to remember about 2011:
The most valuable lesson I learned this year was that I’m tired of not having as much financial security as I’d like.
In terms of milestones, I may not be exactly where I’d like to be in terms of my relationships, lifestyle, and finances but I know I’ve made progress in these areas. The shift(s) may be gradual and they may not yet be tangible but the progress and groundwork has been laid. I also realize that the goals I set for myself on 01/01/11 changed as the year progressed and this wasn’t a bad thing- the changes were necessary. Furthermore, in December I joined a new gym that I am excited about and I know that it will l improve my quality of life.
Professionally, I didn’t reach the professional milestone I set out but, I FOUGHT for myself which was something that was important for me to do and it laid the groundwork for things to happen in 2012. I also sought out and was open to different opportunities.
My favorite family moment from 2011 was spending Christmas with my mom. I had a really nice time even though we didn’t do much. It was good to relax and get out of town.
What was the best book/blog/song/movie/restaurant/city/country/etc. you discovered this year?
Books: “Is Marriage for White People,” “Text.Love.Power,” “Fast Food Nation,” “The Four Man Plan,” the Steig Larsson book series, “The Florence Scovel Shinn Reader.”(all of these books made me think and change some behaviors).
Blog: Happy Black Woman, Reality Tea
Movies: Drive, Food Inc.
Music: The Naked and Famous “Young Blood,” Tom Vek “Aroused”
What I want to leave behind in 2011:
The personal development areas I made the LEAST progress in were: finances and lifestyle.
I did not make any promises to anyone this year.
The only type of hurtful gossip I participated in was online and about celebrities. I intend to temper that in the new year and spend less time on gossip blogs. I’ve also become more cognizant of the things I say, think, and the overall energy I put out into the world.
I do not feel that I missed any opportunities due to fear or procrastination.
In terms of living outside my values, a biggie for me not saving more money. I worked on eliminating debt and I made progress but I could do better. I’m also working on building a side hustle but I don’t feel like I’m making as much progress as I’d like. I didn’t get to travel as much as I would have liked to and I didn’t really feel like I was “living” so to speak- just going through the motions.
Here’s to leaving all of these things behind in 2011!
Read my latest blog post…Gratitude
Remembering 2011…
1. The most valuable lessons I learned from 2011 is defining MY happiness, self development is an ongoing process, the importance of connecting with my inner self.
2. My biggest personal milestone was starting graduate school, getting A’s in my courses, talking to a therapist, focusing on my inner self.
3. My major professional accomplishment was getting promoted.
4. My favorite family moment was the road trip my family took to MD and VA for my hubby’s family reunion and going to the BugFest.
5. Best blogs I discovered this year – definitely HBW, zenhabits, and CurlyNikki. I also started watching the TV Series Luther (Idris Elba) enough said ;0) , and I discovered Ledisi’s latest album “Pieces of Me.” I love the WHOLE album. Oh and Awkward Black Girl web series. (love it)
Leaving behind 2011
1. The areas I made least progress would be finances in regards to saving money and paying down debt.
2. I did not make any promises to anyone in 2011.
3. I didn’t participate in any gossip however I read too much celebrity gossip which is a complete waste of my precious time.
4. No missed opportunities here.
5. Again not focusing on finances, saving and budgeting.
Read my latest blog post…Day 15: Conduct a Time Audit
The most valuable lesson I learned in 2011 – Setting personal and professional boundaries is necessary for self-care, growth and sanity. I also learned, through trial and error, that instant gratification is so overrated.
In 2011, I dealt with my dear friend’s cancer surgery and recovery, nutty workplace drama, my husband’s emergency hospitalization, his layoff, my 4th year tenure review, infertility issues and yet, this has been the happiest I’ve been in years.
I used HBW and the Untemplater Blog to help me develop a better outlook and response to stress. I also got consistent with saving $ and exercising. And my side hustle has helped me build enough cushion that I could have supported our family on my income alone. That financial security in these economic times really helped me remain calm and positive. BTW, Hubby found a new job that he loves 3 weeks after the layoff and I received a glowing review.
Here goes for me!
REMEMBER 2011…
1.What was the most valuable lesson you learned this year?
Solitude is necessary…and wonderful. One of the greatest places I’ve visited this year was my inner self.
2.What was the biggest personal milestone you reached this year in your relationships, health, finances, education and/or lifestyle? (see my posts on creating a life map and crafting your ideal life narrative for more background on this question)
For me, this year was a year of blossoming ideas and creativity. Though nothing came to fruition in full view for others to see – I have been laying the groundwork for some ‘flowers to bloom’ magnificently in 2012!
3.What professional accomplishments (at work or in your business) are you most proud of this year?
I left a good, comfortable job I had been working for seven years…and got a better one!
4.What was your favorite family moment from 2011?
My son’s soccer party/award ceremony and my daughter’s first dance recital.
5.What was the best book/blog/song/movie/restaurant/city/country/etc. you discovered this year?
Well…of course…Happy Black Woman is one! HBW has been thought-provoking, interesting, friendly, useful, entertaining, and instrumental in helping me continue to define myself.
A few other inspirations this year are: Nwenna Kai (inspired me to change the way I look at foods and embrace a raw diet), Dick Gregory, “Is This Love,” by Bob Marley (one of my all-time favorite songs that define a perfect love for me), Bruce Lee (inspirational), Thich Nhat Hahn (give me peace & broadened my perspective).
FUGGEDABOUTIT!
1.Which personal development area(s) did you make the LEAST progress on this year: health, finances, education, relationships, family, work and/or lifestyle? (see my posts on creating a life map and crafting your ideal life narrative for more background on this question)
Finances! I moved in with my father to save money and though I finished paying off school, I did not ‘put away’ nearly as much as I originally planned to.
2.What promises (to yourself or others) did you break in 2011?
I broke promises to myself to be a better steward of my finances.
3.What arguments/gossip/hurtful comments, if any, did you participate in or make this year that you wish you could take back and/or apologize for?
I don’t make it a point to belittle people with words, but the couple of times I did…and shared those words with others, I wished I would have been quiet. Sometimes you can say things in one moment that you feel differently about later.
4.What opportunities, if any, did you miss out on in 2011 because of fear or procrastination?
I missed several scholarship deadlines to obtain additional money for school, simply by not applying or waiting until it was too late.
5.What did you do in 2011, if anything, that was out of alignment with your values? (see my posts on identifying your values and envisioning your values in action for more background on this question)
. This was so uncharacteristic of me and totally out of alignment with my values of always acting with integrity and class – BUT, it was an eye-opener for me to better manage what and who I allow to flow into my life.
Ahhh…soooo embarrassing, but I tore up someone’s front lawn and decor in a fit of rage because someone disrespected my daughter. Fortunately, the cops didn’t come, my children were not around, and I have more self-control now.
I’ll have to take a moment to think about all of these. But I can answer right away the most valuable lesson I learned (or that was reinforced) this year: Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable. Be honest and frank anyway!
I cannot allow other people’s insecurities to cause me to silence my voice. It is mine and it is unique to me. I can use it whenever I please.
Read my latest blog post…Guess Who Got Books!?
That’s a great lesson. I think many of us tend to base our behavior on how others will react. People are going to react regardless – no way to control that. The only thing we can control is what we say and do. No need to silence your voice if it makes you happy to do otherwise!
I agree! That is one thing I plan to work on this year, too. At times, I also silence my voice in an effort to either appease others or keep the peace in some type of way – but, what I’ve realized this year is a couple of things…
1. It is not up to me to decide how others react.
No matter how much I try to sugarcoat an issue or smooth over a problem, it is solely the decision of the other person to decide how they are going to react to me or a situation – so I may as well be 100% Tameka!
2. Many people appreciate honesty.
I had to turn the tables on myself with this one. I asked myself, if there was a boog in my nose, a problem that I overlooked, or something offensive I was unkonwingly doing would I want someone to make me aware? I don’t know about anybody else…but as long as it is done with the right intent – HECK YEA, I’d want to know. So…why don’t I always afford others that same honesty? Many times we hesitate in being honest with others because we clothe those individuals with the same insecurities we have…but, just be honest, with good will, and most of the time you can count on things to turn out right.