It is that time to start considering 2024

It is time to take stock on 2023.

Did I achieve what I set out to do?

or

Not?

So I asked chapgpt for some guidance on how to go about it. Here is the response. Decent.

OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com

Reflecting on the past 12 months and setting goals for the upcoming year is a powerful practice that can help you gain insights, celebrate achievements, and plan for the future. Taking the time to review your experiences, successes, and challenges is essential for personal and professional growth.

Here’s a guide on how to conduct a meaningful review and set realistic goals for the next 12 months:

Reflecting on the Past 12 Months:

1. Review Your Achievements: Start by celebrating your successes. Reflect on both big and small achievements, whether personal or professional. Recognizing your accomplishments boosts your confidence and provides a positive perspective on your efforts.
2. Assess Challenges and Learnings: Identify your challenges and lessons learned from them. Understanding what didn’t go as planned helps you make informed decisions in the future. Consider how you overcame obstacles and the skills you developed in the process.
3. Evaluate Your Goals: Review the goals you set for the past year. Identify which ones you achieved and which ones you didn’t. Understand the reasons behind both successes and shortcomings. This analysis helps you refine your goal-setting approach for the coming year.
4. Analyze Your Habits: Examine your daily habits and routines. Identify habits that positively contributed to your success and those that hindered your progress. Be honest with yourself about areas where improvement is needed.
5. Assess Your Well-Being: Consider your physical, mental, and emotional well-being over the past year. Evaluate whether you maintained a healthy work-life balance and took time for self-care. Recognize areas where you can enhance your overall well-being.

Setting Goals for the Coming 12 Months:

1. Define Your Priorities: Clarify your values and priorities for the upcoming year. What aspects of your life are most important to you? Use these insights to guide the creation of your goals.
2. Set SMART Goals: Create Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART) goals. This ensures that your goals are well-defined and realistic, increasing the likelihood of success. For example, instead of a vague goal like “exercise more,” set a SMART goal like “exercise for at least 30 minutes five days a week.”
3. Diversify Your Goals: Set goals in various areas of your life, such as career, health, relationships, and personal development. A well-rounded set of goals contributes to overall fulfilment and success.
4. Break Down Big Goals: If you have significant, long-term goals, break them down into smaller, manageable tasks. This makes the process less overwhelming and allows you to track your progress more effectively.
5. Establish Action Plans: Clearly outline the actions you need to take to achieve each goal. Create step-by-step plans, and consider potential obstacles. Having a roadmap increases your chances of staying on course.
6. Incorporate Learning and Growth: Include goals that involve learning new skills or expanding your knowledge. Continuous learning enhances your adaptability and resilience in an ever-changing world.
7. Accountability and Tracking: Share your goals with a friend, mentor, or family member who can provide support and hold you accountable. Regularly track your progress and make adjustments as needed.
8. Celebrate Milestones: Acknowledge and celebrate your achievements along the way. This positive reinforcement keeps you motivated and encourages a sense of accomplishment.

In summary, reviewing the past 12 months and setting goals for the coming year is a valuable practice for personal and professional development. By reflecting on your experiences and actively planning for the future, you lay the foundation for a fulfilling and purposeful journey ahead.

The only other thing I always do is ‘reality check’ often so I can stay on track or know when to simply get off a broken track.