7 inspiring questions for year-end introspection – and life

Year-end introspection – Recharge your life!

Get ready for the new year with a deep introspection! What goals have you achieved this year? What were the moments that made you really happy? It’s time to discover and reassess!

The end-of-year introspection is a great opportunity to reflect on the past year and set goals for the next. It is not only an opportunity for personal reflection, but also for deeper self-awareness and more conscious planning for the future.

Remember, be honest with yourself! There are no wrong answers… and even if you are faced with facts and decisions that you regret today, there is nothing wrong with that. Tomorrow is a new day, and the day after tomorrow is a new year!

1. Plans/goals/dreams for the past year

Think about what plans, goals or dreams you had last year. It is important to recognise that achieving goals is not always a linear process. Sometimes our original objectives change or new challenges arise. In addition, it is important to understand that failures are part of development and offer learning opportunities. You may have made a bad business decision that caused you to lose a lot, but perhaps because of this experience you will make a good decision on a similar issue in 2024 and regain many times what you lost.

It’s also worth looking at the changes you’ve made over the year and how they reflect your real needs and priorities.

Ask ourselves whether the goals we set have really contributed to our happiness and fulfilment. Have we devoted enough time and energy to our own well-being and personal passions, alongside our careers and business successes? If not, was it worth it?

2. New skills learned

Learning new skills is a great way to assess your personal growth. Whether it’s learning a new language, learning how to use a new piece of software or trying out a new hobby, these achievements contribute to our confidence and competence.

It’s essential that new skills are not just for career advancement, but also to develop your personal passions and interests.

3. Highlights of the year

This question encourages us to appreciate the positive moments of the year, whether they are small successes or major milestones. This can help us to keep a positive attitude in difficult times. Think back to the moments when you learned something new, overcame a difficult obstacle or achieved a goal that seemed impossible. These successes show how persistent and strong you are. Recalling the highlights of the year not only reminisces about the past, but also gives strength and inspiration for the future. These memories remind us of how rich and colourful our lives are, and that despite all the difficulties, there are reasons for joy and gratitude.

4. Pride during the year

Recognise your own achievements. Pride is not just about the big successes, but also about the small but significant steps you have taken throughout the year. Here, don’t just evaluate your success at work or in business, but also how well it was in line with your happiness and personal satisfaction. Think about the moments during the year that gave you the greatest joy and satisfaction.

You might realise how relaxing a night out with friends at the cinema or a Sunday cooking with your loved one can be.

5. I am grateful for this year

Reliving moments of gratitude not only reinforces positive psychological effects, but also helps us to better appreciate the people and events that have positively influenced our lives. Look around you and see all that you have created and kept. How precious and kind people surround you. To be in control of your life, and there is no greater gift than that.

6. What went well, what didn’t?

This reflection helps us to look back objectively on the successes and challenges of our year. Analysing negative experiences can help you make better decisions in the future.

And don’t forget to be honest with yourself. Sure there are things I’ve messed up, who hasn’t? But if we can learn from our mistakes, then something will come of them.

7. The most important lesson of the year

Summing up the year’s experiences, it is important to identify the biggest lessons that can help us in our future decisions and goal-setting. Reflect on how the lessons you have learned over the past year have affected your happiness, self-actualisation and self-worth. These lessons are not just for your career or business success, but also for your personal well-being and happiness.

What was the biggest lesson of 2023 for you?

I would say that in your year-end introspection, you should treat the different areas of your life separately, such as career, family, relationships, friends – but I don’t do that either – and that’s perfectly normal for me. Because a holistic approach to our lives can help us to balance the different areas and to be aware of how their different aspects affect each other. (because they affect each other – if there’s a problem at home, there will be a problem at work, and vice versa).

A holistic approach: linking all aspects of life

Recognising interconnections: recognise how different areas of life affect each other. For example, if you are stressed at work, it can affect your family life or your relationships with friends. In self-analysis, it is important to recognise and address these connections (in place).

Interacting dynamics: pay attention to how different areas of life interact positively or negatively. For example, a happy family life can have a positive impact on your performance at work.

Balance and priorities: identify which areas need more attention or effort. Sometimes you may need to re-prioritise your life to find a better balance.

Advice for harmonious coordination in all areas of life

Time management: learn to manage your time more efficiently. For example, use a planner or apps to better organise your day so you can spend more time with family or relaxing.

Communication and understanding: talk to your family, partner and friends about different aspects of your life. Open communication will help you understand each other’s needs and find common solutions. (that’s among the many other things I have to practice)

Self-reflection and self-improvement: take time for self-reflection regularly. This helps you understand your own feelings and reactions and how they affect different areas of your life.

Stress management: learn effective stress management techniques, such as meditation, mindfulness or exercise, to better manage difficult times.

Finding sources of joy: Identify activities or hobbies that bring you joy and relaxation, and spend time doing them regularly to recharge your batteries.

Taking a holistic approach to the end-of-year self-assessment will allow you to get a fuller picture of your life and help you to make more informed choices about your future goals and plans. It’s also an approach that helps you manage stress, find balance and live a happier, more fulfilling life.

After all, that is the goal, isn’t it? Even if we don’t say it, we all want to live better, laugh more, make more of the time we have here.

I believe that our life is more than just work and accumulation of material goods. We’re not just here to work until we drop, have a nice house, a car that’s debt-free in a good way before retirement…

The true meaning and richness of life lies in much deeper layers. It’s important to recognise the things that make us truly happy, whether it’s personal relationships, hobbies, self-expression or inner peace.

Yes, we all have our place and role in life. Whether it’s baking the best bread, making the most creative artwork, being a great mother or fulfilling as a dancer, everyone can contribute something unique and valuable to the world. This diversity and uniqueness is what makes our lives rich.

Doing what you love with passion and commitment enriches not only yourself, but also the community around you.

Whether it’s passing on the traditional craft of baking bread, creating modern graphic design, or taking an active role in our families and communities, it all contributes to our shared prosperity and happiness.

Just as you please!

Aletta Nagy-Kozma