DO THIS Before the Start of Next Year (Hint: It's NOT Setting Goals)

Don't you just love the weird in-between period that exists from Christmas to New Year's?

I do.

But I didn't always.

Instead, I would fixate on all the things I didn't accomplish over the past year, then start making lists of what I could do better the following year.

Can you tell I had a hard time relaxing during the holidays?

Things took a turn over the past two years of introspection while I was writing my upcoming book Everything but Money: The Hidden Barriers Between You and Financial Freedom which comes out on Dec. 31, 2024.

Now, instead of focusing on my failures or what things I should be doing moving forward, I try to savour the last few days of the year, reflect on what happened and give myself a much-needed pat on the back for all the things I did do (both big and small).

Want to do the same? Let me be your guide. I promise you'll feel so much better after doing it.

Grab a piece of paper or journal, or better yet copy this Google Doc to your Google Drive, and answer the following:

• What's a book you read this year that you loved and couldn't wait to tell your friends/family about? (Mine: Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry)
• What's one difficult thing you've overcome this year or are in the process of overcoming? (Mine: I finished writing my book without having any idea how the heck to write a book!)
• What's a movie or TV show you watched that you still think about because it was so good? (Mine: The English Teacher on Disney+, so funny!)
• What's one new memory you created that you can now carry with you with fondness? (Mine: Going to a family reunion in Quebec this summer and spending time with my grandma's sister)
• What's one thing you spent money on this year that you still feel really good about? (Mine: Flights to Halifax to visit friends and family)
• What's something new you learned this year? (Mine: It may sound silly, but I learned that dish soap will get any stain out of clothing way better than laundry stain remover)
• What's something good or kind you did for someone else this year? (Mine: I donated to a few friends' GoFundMe fundraisers who were dealing with some serious health issues and needed support).
• What's one goal you were able to accomplish that you set at the beginning of the year that you're proud of? (Mine: Completed all of my educational requirements to take the QAFP exam in 2025!)
• Now add anything else you've experienced or accomplished that you want to remember and reflect on. As many things as you like!

Wow, look at all the things you did in 2024! You should feel really proud of yourself. 👏