Annual review for You, Inc.
In order to better plan where we're going, it can help to dive into how this year (or any segment of time) has been for you. What worked and what didn't essentially, but with much, much more detail. Answer the following questions with pen and paper ideally, and be as honest as you can. It's only you who needs to see it.
You could use the same questions each year or develop other ones that work better for your particular situation. Adding and adapting the list for your specifics will make this exercise more meaningful.
In order to better plan where we're going, it can help to dive into how this year (or any segment of time) has been for you. What worked and what didn't essentially, but with much, much more detail. Answer the following questions with pen and paper ideally, and be as honest as you can. It's only you who needs to see it.
- What were the 'difficult' things this year? Any challenges?
- When have you felt proud of yourself this year? What were you doing?
- How did you have fun differently this year?
- How did you suffer differently this year?
- What people/kind of people did you spend more time with this year?
- What did you feel guilty for in this year?
- What new systems did you start this year? Which ones would you want to keep?
- Did you feel you spent enough time with your family/significant other this year? How would you change this next year?
- What things did you stop caring about this year?
- What new thing did you spend a lot of money on this year?
- What new thing did you spend a lot of time on this year?
- What have you improved at this year?
- What did you rediscover pleasure in this year?
- When you felt content this year, what were you doing?
- Which of last year's goals did you not achieve? Why did you not achieve them? Will you carry them on to next year and if not why?
- (hint: try working with a coach/accountant/mentor/accountability buddy)
- At the end of next year, if you are drastically exceeding your expectations, what would you be doing?
You could use the same questions each year or develop other ones that work better for your particular situation. Adding and adapting the list for your specifics will make this exercise more meaningful.
Feelings when your needs are satisfied*
GRATEFUL
appreciative moved thankful touched INSPIRED amazed awed wonder JOYFUL amused delighted glad happy jubilant pleased tickled EXHILARATED blissful ecstatic elated enthralled exuberant radiant rapturous thrilled |
HOPEFUL
expectant encouraged optimistic CONFIDENT empowered open proud safe secure EXCITED amazed animated ardent aroused astonished dazzled eager energetic enthusiastic giddy invigorated lively passionate surprised vibrant |
AFFECTIONATE
compassionate friendly loving open hearted sympathetic tender warm ENGAGED absorbed alert curious engrossed enchanted entranced fascinated interested intrigued involved spellbound stimulated |
PEACEFUL
calm clear headed comfortable centered content equanimous fulfilled mellow quiet relaxed relieved satisfied serene still tranquil trusting REFRESHED enlivened rejuvenated renewed rested restored revived |
Feelings when your needs are not satisfied
ANNOYED
aggravated dismayed disgruntled displeased exasperated frustrated impatient irritated irked ANGRY enraged furious incensed indignant irate livid outraged resentful AVERSION animosity appalled contempt disgusted dislike hate horrified hostile repulsed CONFUSED ambivalent baffled bewildered dazed hesitant lost mystified perplexed puzzled torn |
DISQUIET
agitated alarmed discombobulated disconcerted disturbed perturbed rattled restless shocked startled surprised troubled turbulent turmoil uncomfortable uneasy unnerved unsettled upset EMBARRASSED ashamed chagrined flustered guilty mortified self-conscious FATIGUE beat burnt out depleted exhausted lethargic listless sleepy tired weary worn out |
PAIN
agony anguished bereaved devastated grief heartbroken hurt lonely miserable regretful remorseful SAD depressed dejected despair despondent disappointed discouraged disheartened forlorn gloomy heavy hearted hopeless melancholy unhappy wretched DISCONNECTED alienated aloof apathetic bored cold detached distant distracted indifferent numb removed uninterested withdrawn |
TENSE
anxious cranky distressed distraught edgy fidgety frazzled irritable jittery nervous overwhelmed restless stressed out VULNERABLE fragile guarded helpless insecure leery reserved sensitive shaky YEARNING envious jealous longing nostalgic pining wistful AFRAID apprehensive dread foreboding frightened mistrustful panicked petrified scared suspicious terrified wary worried |
*This list is from the work by the Center for Nonviolent Communication. It's an excellent starting point and by no means exhaustive. There are many more feelings and emotions our there. I strongly recommend reading their books and doing the CNVC courses if you're interested in developing your skills in this area more. They can be emailed here.