We are always heading somewhere. But is it the right somewhere? As one season turns into the next, it’s a good time to look back over past few months and review what happened. What went right? What didn’t go so well? In what areas of your life are things on track? What areas need a course correction to keep you headed in the right direction?
In other words, every so often we need to take an hour or two to stop and review where we’ve been so we can make sure we’re still headed in the right direction.
Three reasons periodic reviews are a good idea.
- Because they help us recognize what we’ve accomplished. In the hurly-burly of life we can be too busy to celebrate the milestones we’ve achieved. It’s good to look back now and then and notice the hard work we’ve done, the goals we’ve met, and the steps we’ve taken (no matter how small) toward our dreams. Not so we can brag—our worth is not defined by our success—but because remembering the small victories gives us encouragement to keep trying.
- Because they allow us to recognize where we’ve drifted off course. A review helps us remember the big picture, the long-term destination we hope to reach someday (in all the various areas of life). They give us a chance to identify what’s working and what’s not working, where problems have cropped up, and where our focus has drifted.
- Because they give us a chance to make intentional changes. Personal reviews are not about beating ourselves up for our failures. Rather, they are a tool to learn from and overcome those failures. They are an opportunity to make changes, to adjust strategies, to alter attitudes, to try new methods that might lead to better success.
Three kinds of questions to ask during a personal review
- Looking back:
- What are the main things I’ve been working on and what progress did I make?
- How do I feel about what I’ve accomplished?
- Is there a milestone or achievement I should celebrate? (Having the courage to embrace risk or take a step outside our comfort zone can be a worthy achievement.)
- How do I feel about the things I didn’t accomplish? Are they still important?
- What obstacles or attitudes prevented me from achieving all I wanted?
- Is there something I want to do less of moving forward?
- Where do I need to extend grace to myself? Sometimes life gets in the way through no fault of ourselves.
- Have I become so focused on achieving that I have lost connection with the people that matter in my life?
- Have I been too busy achieving that I’ve ignores the hobbies or ministries that bring me joy?
- Looking at now:
- How is my health? My stress level? Am I fine or does something need to change?
- Do I feel balanced in all areas of life, or am I off kilter somewhere?
- Where do I feel guilt, fear, shame, or anxiety? What is the root of it?
- Have I been neglecting times of rest and restoration?
- Do I feel connected to my people?
- Have I lost touch with my “why”?
- Am I spending the majority of my time on the things connected to my calling and my dreams, or have I gotten too absorbed in distractions, side trails, or stuff other people want me to do?
- What loose ends have accumulated that need my attention? (Appointments that need to be made, paperwork, sticky notes on the desk, etc.) Now is a good time to deal with the simple ones and write the others into the schedule.
- Looking ahead:
- Do I need to devote more time in my schedule for self care?
- Do I need to schedule a larger chunk of time for rest, reflection, and rejuvenation before I burn out?
- Do I need to reconnect with my “why” so I remember my motivation and my priorities?
- Do I need to devote more time to spend with the people that are important to me?
- Where do I need to adjust my goals/ plans/ weekly agenda/ habits moving forward to keep myself on the right track?
- Where do I need to change my goals/ plans/ weekly agenda/ habits because the old way isn’t working?
- Where do I need to cut myself loose from unhelpful beliefs, habits, activities or commitments that have become obstacles? (Where do I need to say No?)
- Where do I need to combat fear by taking one tiny step in the right direction?
- Where do I need to combat guilt by giving myself grace, reminding myself of truths about my worth, and remembering that past failures do not define me?
I will be spending time this month pondering these questions in my own life. How about you?
