This is the time of year when you should look back at what you accomplished (or didn't accomplish) this past year and set goals for the coming year.
Here are the 8 categories that I believe every person must work on for a balanced and happy life. Get out a piece of paper and pencil and take a moment to reflect and plan for the future.
1. Family & Friends
- Were your friends and family there for you this year?
- Did you make new friends this year?
- Did you drift apart from some friends and family this year?
- How are you planning on working on these relationships in the coming year?
2. Religion & Faith
- How was your faith tested or changed this year?
- How did religion or faith factor into your life this past year?
- How will religion or faith factor into your life in the coming year?
3. Work
- What did you accomplish at your job this past year?
- Were you happy at your job this past year?
- Where do you want your career to be a year from now?
4. Health
- How was your diet and health this year?
- What diet and health changes do you need to make for next year?
5. Hobbies
- What new hobbies did you learn this year?
- What new hobbies do you want to lean this next year?
6. Education
- What new skills or knowledge did you acquire this year?
- What classes, books, shows, and topics do you plan on immersing yourself in next year?
7. Travel
- What new places did you visit this year?
- Where are you planning on travelling next year? (Outline a savings plan to pay for the trip now.)
8. Comfort
- When were you pushed out of your comfort zone this year? Was is a good thing?
- What material possessions did you buy this year? Did they bring you happiness?
- What do you want to buy next year?
If you had a bad year this past year, my condolences. Everyone has a bad year eventually. Take this time to realize why it was a bad year so that hopefully next year can be a prosperous and happy one.
A bad year is usually a result of these four things:
- Bad Luck - For reasons beyond a person's control things went wrong. A natural disaster, sickness, injury, and death are a few examples. There's not much a person can do in these cases except keep their head up and work on improving everything in their life they do have control over. Good times will eventually come.
- Bad Time Management - Time is a person's most valuable asset. Squandering it away on frivolousness insures that a person will never truly prosper.
- Lack of Direction - Without a plan or goal in life a person is simply waiting on fate or good luck. People should always have a plan of action in place to accomplish their goals. Otherwise you'll disappointingly drift through life.
- Chaos - Negative situations such as destructive family members, abusive spouses, and argumentative friends make positive movement in life impossible. Anyone in these situations should do whatever it takes to break free so that they can have a chance at happiness and success.
As always I wish you success, prosperity, and happiness in the new year!
