The Yearly Audit...
Is it time to get serious about your life. This is your life; you only get one and we have no idea how much time we will have.
But where and how do you start?
When do you start?
Well, the reality is that you can start when ever you want, but what better time than the beginning of a new year.
I have recently come across a concept that is new to me that I am doing for myself. It's called the 'Yearly Audit'. Just learning about it has got me excited for the process, and the opportunities it can lead to. I heard about it on a podcast from Mel Robbins. If you want to listen to the podcast just google 'Mel Robbins – Yearly audit podcast'.
So, the yearly audit is about 7 questions you ask yourself as you reflect on your year. It's better if you write down your answers and really think about each question and your answers. By doing this you will create a road map, a sense of purpose and direction for the new year. So, let's get started…
The questions are as follows:
Describe the highlights from the past 12 months? - If you find this difficult, try going through the photos on your phone. You may be surprised about how much you have forgotten. Write these down. Allow yourself to relive the highlights. Think about what made them great.
What were some of the hardest parts of the past 12 months? - What made you sad? What did you struggle with? Did you lose a loved one? Did you have health problems to deal with? Allow yourself to feel the sadness, grief, fear etc… It's important to realise that lows are part of our journey and it's ok to have these and it's ok to feel these feelings.
What did you learn about yourself this year? - As you look at the highs and lows, as you look at what made you happy and what broke your heart, consider,' what did all this teach me about myself?'
What are you going to stop doing this year? - Think about what gives you friction in life. What is it that is not serving you. Can you stop these things or maybe you just need to re-prioritise?
What are you going to start doing this year? - What would you like your goals to be regarding new things you want/need to introduce? Maybe you are going to take on less. Maybe you need to start selfcare. Maybe you need to change the priority of some things in your life to allow the 'new' to fit in.
What are you going to continue doing? - What things were good for you? What things added value to your life? What things worked for you? What things made you laugh? What things bought ease and comfort to you?
What can you do today to take that first step? - Now that you have a set of directions, your road map, what can you do today, tomorrow and so on….
This is where our goals are formed. This is how we can really decide what needs to change going forward. But remember, the important thing is not necessarily reaching the goal, it's more about the person we become on that journey.
It's all about… 'Finding the joy in your journey.
I really hope you enjoy this process. Take your time with it. Do it with your significant other. Do it with your family or work on it on your own.
And of course, if you would like some help then that's where I come in. I can help you go through the questions and identify what is working for you and what you may need to change. I offer a free half hour session to all new clients. Check out my services page for more information.
Good luck and all the very best for 2025!