A structured framework for reflecting on your year and planning the next one.
Every December, I spend a few hours doing an annual review. It’s become one of my favorite rituals — a chance to step back, see the full picture of the year, and set intentions for the next one.
I’ve refined this template over the years, borrowing from frameworks I’ve found useful and adding what’s worked for me. The goal isn’t perfection — it’s clarity. What actually happened? What did I learn? What do I want next year to look like?
If you’re looking for a structured way to close out 2025, feel free to use or adapt this.
Start by going through your year month by month. Pull up your photos, calendar, social media, journal — whatever helps you remember. Jot down the key moments. This part is fun, not work.
| Month | Key Moments |
|---|---|
| Jan | |
| Feb | |
| Mar | |
| Apr | |
| May | |
| Jun | |
| Jul | |
| Aug | |
| Sep | |
| Oct | |
| Nov | |
| Dec |
What shaped your thinking, entertained you, or stuck with you this year?
For each area, answer: What went well → What were the challenges → What did I learn?
Bold the lessons — these are the takeaways you’ll carry forward.
Focus, learning, mental/emotional wellbeing, creative pursuits
Fitness, nutrition, sleep, stress management
Marriage/partner, family, friendships, professional network
Career wins, skills developed, work-life balance
These are cross-cutting questions. Be honest, not aspirational.
For each life area, define:
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Big Goal | Ambitious year-long target (should scare you slightly) |
| Checkpoints | Quarterly proof you’re on track |
| Daily Systems | 1-3 small actions that compound |
| Anti-Goals | What you refuse to sacrifice — your guardrails |
I usually block off 2-3 hours in late December. Put on some music, grab a coffee, and just work through it. Part 1 is the most fun — flipping through photos and remembering moments you’d forgotten. Part 3 is the most useful — the reflection questions surface things you wouldn’t notice otherwise.
I revisit the goals quarterly to check progress and adjust. The daily systems are the real leverage — small things that compound are more powerful than ambitious targets you never start.
Google Doc version — make a copy and fill in your own.
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