Reflect, Reset, Reboot: A Guide to Year-End Gratitude and Goal-Setting

Ah, the end of one year and the beginning of the next! A time of joy, chaos, and realizing you’ve let a New Year’s resolution expire without even downloading it. Let’s face it, the end of the year can feel like a whirlwind of holiday parties, family gatherings, and a never-ending to-do list. But amidst the chaos, it’s crucial to take a moment to pause, reflect, and recharge.

Why Bother Reflecting?

You might be thinking, “I’m too busy to reflect!” But trust me, taking a few hours to ponder the past year can be a game-changer. It’s like hitting the reset button on your life. You’ll gain clarity, reduce stress, and set yourself up for success in the coming year. But let’s pause for a second. Between the tinsel and turmoil, there’s a chance for something surprisingly meaningful: reflection, gratitude, and planning—goals for the coming year.

Reflection isn’t just for mirrors. It’s a chance to look back on the year’s highs, lows, and “meh” middles. Why? Like Ferris Bueller says… “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

Reflection helps you:

Spot Patterns: Did you say “yes” to too many things? Forget to water your goals like that poor cactus in your office?
Celebrate Wins: Remember when you nailed that presentation or finally learned how to make sourdough? Yes, that counts!
Learn From Losses: That time you tried to cut your own hair? Or organized a workplace fantasy football, and lost. Let’s not repeat that.

Reflection isn’t just a nostalgia trip—it’s a way to mine wisdom from 12 months of being human.

Gratitude: The Secret Sauce

Gratitude is like the Parmesan cheese of life—it makes everything better (apologies if you’re lactose intolerant). Studies show it can boost happiness, improve relationships, and even help you sleep better (because counting blessings is way less stressful than counting sheep). Plus, gratitude keeps you from turning into that person who complains about long coffee lines while waiting for a $7 latte. I grind my own beans!

How do you actually do gratitude? Here are a few easy ways:

Write It Down: Start a gratitude journal. Even if the list is “coffee, Netflix, and surviving the family group chat,” it counts. I’ve done this and I find it a great tool. It’s also a really nice feeling flipping through my gratitude journal at the end of the year.
Share the Love: I’m not saying run around giving free hugs. That may make some people run for the hills. I came across a social experiment when I was in Florence Italy some years ago where people with signs “free hugs” were giving them to strangers in the piazza. I was all for it. My husband ran for the hills. Tell someone why you’re grateful for them. Be specific. Often, we jump to telling other people why they frustrate us, however, we don’t often tell people why we are grateful. It can impact people in positive ways and make you feel good at the same time.
Reframe Challenges: Got stuck in traffic? At least you got to finish that podcast episode! Missed that promotion at work? At least you still got your bonus and the recognition for a job well done. And this one is personal – had to go to physical therapy because your back started to rebel? At least you now have a 15-minute core strengthening routine to perform daily that also tightened up your abs. This one is all about flipping the script. As I always say, mindset matters.

Goal-Setting: Your GPS

Now, let’s talk about the most exciting (and intimidating) part of the year-end trifecta: goal-setting. You don’t need to have everything figured out (spoiler: no one does). The key is to aim for progress, not perfection. We’re not the Borg!

Here’s a slightly tongue-in-cheek plan for setting goals:

Step 1: Review the Year That Was

Sit down with a notebook or your preferred method to document, a glass of wine or your favorite tea or coffee. Ask yourself:

What went well?
What went meh?
What would I pay actual money to never do again?

Step 2: Dream Big (But Not Too Big)

It’s tempting to write a goal list that reads like a movie montage: “Run a marathon, write a novel, learn Mandarin, and adopt a penguin.” But let’s be real: setting 47 goals is a recipe for burnout. Instead, focus on 3–5 meaningful objectives.

Step 3: Be SMART About It

SMART goals are like spinach in a smoothie—they’re sneaky but effective:

Specific: “Get healthy” is vague; “Do yoga twice a week” is clear.
Measurable: How will you know you’ve succeeded? Track it!
Achievable: Climbing Mount Everest might be a stretch if you still get winded on escalators.
Relevant: Does the goal align with your values and life?
Time-Bound: Deadlines are your friend.

Step 4: Plan for Setbacks

Spoiler alert: Things will go wrong. Build in some wiggle room for life’s curveballs. Miss a gym day? Don’t quit the goal—adjust and keep going.

Step 5: Celebrate the Little Wins

Every step counts. Finished one chapter of that book you want to write? Toast to that! Even if it’s just a few pages. Progress.

Making It Fun (Yes, Really)

If the idea of reflection, gratitude, and goal-setting feels like homework, here are some ways to spice it up:

Host a “Year-End Review” Party: Invite friends, exchange funny and important reflections, and cheer each other’s wins. Bonus points for themed snacks. I’ve hosted these events in the past and it’s an energizing way to head into the new year.
Create a Vision Board: Old-school collages meet Pinterest dreams. It’s artsy and inspiring. A vision board is an especially great activity for those creative types like me. Plus, it’s a great way to recycle those old magazines. And even Oprah is a fan.
Write a Letter to Future You: Share your hopes, dreams, and reminders not to panic about aging. I have done this. I then place the letter into my “happy jar.” I read it on new year’s eve along with all the other happy notes celebrating the small wins, large wins, and happy events I added to the jar over the past year.

A Note on Not Overdoing It

While self-improvement is great, remember: You’re allowed to just be. Some years are about survival, and that’s okay. Unfortunately, this is something I know a lot about lately. If your big goal for 2025 is simply to nap more, or make more time for you and your self-care, I salute you.

Closing Thoughts

As the year winds down and a new one begins, give yourself permission to pause and take a moment to appreciate the journey. Reflect on how far you’ve come, be grateful for the good (and the lessons from the bad), and step into the new year with new energy and goals that excite rather than exhaust you.

Remember, the goal isn’t perfection; it’s progress. Happy reflecting, and may your 2025 be filled with joy, success, and fewer unexpected Zoom meetings.

About Scott Span, MSOD, CSM, ACC: is CEO at Tolero Solutions. As a people strategist, leadership coach, and change and transformation specialist, his work is focused on people. Through his consulting and training work, he supports clients to survive and thrive through change and transition and create people-focused cultures and a great employee experience. Through his coaching work, he supports people willing to dig deeper to identify and overcome what’s holding them back, change behaviors, accelerate performance, and achieve their goals.

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