Taking Inventory of 2017

Inside: Before setting goals for 2018, it’s good to reflect on the previous year. Knowing where you’ve been can help determine where you need to go.

The end of December has me knee-deep in introspection. I find that before setting goals for next year, taking inventory of 2017 must be dealt with first. The process doesn’t have to be complicated, either. Here are ten simple questions I have used in the past to help me put the previous year in perspective.

1. What worked?

Starting this blog. Spending this year learning about blogging.

2. What didn’t work?

Trying to do too much too quickly, which goes against the way I’m wired.

3. What surprised you? (Whether good or bad.)

My father passing away. I didn’t expect it.

4. What disappointed you?

That my blog business didn’t grow to my expectations and do better financially.

5. What were you most proud of?

An unwritten goal, more than a decade old, of wanting to purchase a dairy heifer for a family through World Vision. I put it on my goal list last year and wasn’t sure it would even happen, but a last-minute editing job got me the funds. I can’t express how happy I am to have accomplished this–I have wanted to do it for so long!

6. What gave you the most joy?

Writing and putting together these posts. Creating. For the longest time writing felt like pulling teeth. Now I’m back to enjoying it again.

7. What drained you?

To a lesser degree, simply neglecting taking good care of myself–vitamins, resting, eating healthy. I’m at a place in my life where I avoid as much stress as possible, so I can’t recall feeling drained from anything other than just not having energy at times. Living as simple a life as I can helps tremendously.

8. What wasted your time?

Too much TV watching in the morning and surfing the Internet.

9. Who did you enjoy spending time (or connecting) with?

My family, friends, writer’s group. Mike. Friends old and new connecting with me on this blog! (Thank you!)

10. What gave you the most peace?

I’d have to say something God showed me a few days after Dad passed away. I saw my dad in a baseball uniform, glove in hand, and a couple of other guys also in baseball uniforms throwing grounders around a baseball diamond. He was firing the baseball with such force, a pure love of the game. Something he hasn’t done in so many years. And I knew I’d been given a glimpse of what he was doing in heaven. I’ve drawn much comfort from that.

Okay, now it’s your turn. Jot down your own answers to as many of these questions as you’d like. Or maybe simply what worked for you and what didn’t work. As you answer these questions, you might find overlap, and that’s okay. Those areas might need more thought time. But it’s important to close out the year, give it the consideration it’s due, and then bid 2017 farewell.

Enter the clean slate–2018!

Do you have big plans in the new year? Tell us about it in the comments.

Related posts:

Taking End of Season Garden Notes

Finding my Pace: Slowing Down to Enjoy Life

The Useful Art of Daydreaming