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Forget new year’s resolutions and conduct a ‘past year review’ instead

94 points by galfarragem 8y ago

acjohnson55 8y ago
I'm a big fan of introspection/retrospection over goal setting. Some goals connect to meaningful objectives, but I've always felt goal setting to feel inauthentic and rigid. I end up prioritizing what feels important from day to day anyway, and I have more trust in those decisions than my big long term goals. This is also probably why I don't often finish huge projects, so my approach isn't without its drawbacks. But I'm okay with that.
- liberte82 8y ago
  I agree with this. Ever since I started doing bi-weekly retrospectives with my teams, we've gotten much better at improving the things that really need improving. Goal setting from the top down can be very artificial. I find it works much better to let the teams discuss their own concerns (and positives) with how things are going, and provide my own input. We then prioritize just the top couple of items to action for the next two week period. It happens quite commonly that the things that I think are most important to be addressed, are actually not, and more pressing matters are raised. I get way better buy-in with my teams doing things this way and the improvements we're making are more tangible.
- dhimes 8y ago
  I think it's best to do both. Solid goals keep me from wasting time.
gradys 8y ago
I've found Alex Vermeer's 8,760 Hours guide[1] immensely valuable. It's also a guide to doing an annual life review. Maybe one of the best things I've started doing in the last few years. Be aware that it will take much longer than 30-60 minutes like the OP. I set aside 2 or 3 days for it at the end of each year and do 3-5 hours per day. I follow roughly the template described in the guide, but collapse some of the 12 life areas together into 8 or so. Even if you can't commit the time to do the whole thing, have a look at the 12 life areas he lists. It can help improve any kind of annual review process you might have. Just seeing the list can help prompt consideration of aspects of your life you may have been overlooking. [1] - https://alexvermeer.com/8760hours/ https://alexvermeer.com/8760hours/
sgpl 8y ago
YearCompass [1] is a also a great resource for doing this. It's well structured and I found it pretty valuable. Used it last year and plan on filling it out over the next few days again. I initially discovered it via reddit.com. [1] https://yearcompass.com/ https://yearcompass.com/
RubenSandwich 8y ago
My wife and I rather have a new year intention. Something to focus on all year. My last years was Mental Health as I got into a dark place mentally for a while and my coming years is Will Power. The single focus has been working well for us.
JeanMarcS 8y ago
Funny to read that now, as my wife have made our kids (9 yo) do it on paper today. She also told them to keep it when they feel down to remember all their past achievements. I should do it now I guess as it seems a good booster.
tluyben2 8y ago
My wife and I always do both in the last 7 days (so now) of the year. Review is good but coming year resolutions (which are goals) is also good.

94 points by galfarragem 8y ago

I'm a big fan of introspection/retrospection over goal setting. Some goals connect to meaningful objectives, but I've always felt goal setting to feel inauthentic and rigid. I end up prioritizing what feels important from day to day anyway, and I have more trust in those decisions than my big long term goals. This is also probably why I don't often finish huge projects, so my approach isn't without its drawbacks. But I'm okay with that.

liberte82 8y ago
I agree with this. Ever since I started doing bi-weekly retrospectives with my teams, we've gotten much better at improving the things that really need improving. Goal setting from the top down can be very artificial. I find it works much better to let the teams discuss their own concerns (and positives) with how things are going, and provide my own input. We then prioritize just the top couple of items to action for the next two week period. It happens quite commonly that the things that I think are most important to be addressed, are actually not, and more pressing matters are raised. I get way better buy-in with my teams doing things this way and the improvements we're making are more tangible.
dhimes 8y ago
I think it's best to do both. Solid goals keep me from wasting time.

gradys 8y ago

I've found Alex Vermeer's 8,760 Hours guide[1] immensely valuable. It's also a guide to doing an annual life review. Maybe one of the best things I've started doing in the last few years. Be aware that it will take much longer than 30-60 minutes like the OP. I set aside 2 or 3 days for it at the end of each year and do 3-5 hours per day. I follow roughly the template described in the guide, but collapse some of the 12 life areas together into 8 or so. Even if you can't commit the time to do the whole thing, have a look at the 12 life areas he lists. It can help improve any kind of annual review process you might have. Just seeing the list can help prompt consideration of aspects of your life you may have been overlooking. [1] - https://alexvermeer.com/8760hours/ https://alexvermeer.com/8760hours/

sgpl 8y ago

YearCompass [1] is a also a great resource for doing this. It's well structured and I found it pretty valuable. Used it last year and plan on filling it out over the next few days again. I initially discovered it via reddit.com. [1] https://yearcompass.com/ https://yearcompass.com/

RubenSandwich 8y ago

My wife and I rather have a new year intention. Something to focus on all year. My last years was Mental Health as I got into a dark place mentally for a while and my coming years is Will Power. The single focus has been working well for us.

JeanMarcS 8y ago

Funny to read that now, as my wife have made our kids (9 yo) do it on paper today. She also told them to keep it when they feel down to remember all their past achievements. I should do it now I guess as it seems a good booster.

tluyben2 8y ago

My wife and I always do both in the last 7 days (so now) of the year. Review is good but coming year resolutions (which are goals) is also good.