Year End Reflection - The Step Everyone Wants to Skip

The end of a year has a way of sneaking up on us.

You've been juggling client work, family needs, and the constant demands of life. All of the sudden, the year has blurred by. So when it's time to think about next year, most people either dive straight into planning their goals or avoid it completely.

But there's a step in between that almost everyone skips. A step that can determine whether the goals you set in 2026 will stick, feel doable, and create momentum.

Reflection…  Looking back before you look forward.

Not the kind of reflection where your brain highlights everything you didn't accomplish. I'm talking about acknowledging what you created, who you became, what you moved through, and where you showed up even when things were uncomfortable.

Sometimes we think reflection is fluffy or indulgent. But there is actual power in it!

Why We Want to Skip This Step

Your brain is wired to scan for problems and focus on what's missing. It's called negativity bias. It's why your accomplishments fade from your awareness quickly while your perceived failures stay in the forefront of your mind.

With the modern way we move from task to task without pausing and constantly add things to our to-do list.  We rarely feel the internal "completion" signal that builds a sense of progress. Without it, your brain believes you're behind, even when you've actually done a lot.

But, when reflection is skipped, it erases the evidence that you're capable. And without that evidence? Next year's goals don't feel doable. They feel like guesses or hopes instead of being grounded in "I can do this" energy.

Why Reflection Works

When you intentionally acknowledge your progress, you strengthen your belief that you can succeed again. That belief? It's one of the strongest predictors of whether you'll actually meet your goals.

Reflection also reduces avoidance. When your brain sees proof that you follow through, it stops assuming you'll fail. That shift removes internal resistance and makes it easier to take action in the future.

Together, these create a powerful loop of self trust.  And self trust is what makes new goals feel achievable instead of overwhelming.

How to Do It

You don't need a complicated ritual.

Grab a pen and paper. Pull up photos on your phone or glance at your calendar if you want visual reminders. Let your year replay in your mind.

Write down three things you're genuinely proud of from this year. They can be personal or professional, big or small.  Include who you became in the process. Maybe you became more consistent, more confident, more patient, or more resilient.  Don’t forget the discomfort you moved through this year (that in itself is an accomplishment).

You only need two or three solid things you can feel proud of, not a perfect list.

Once you do this, you might start to notice new opportunities or ideas flowing in for what's possible in the new year. Let that come with time. Celebrate the momentum you've created.

Next year's goals will feel lighter and more doable.