Personal Year in Review Template
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.
🔮 Part 1: Year in Review
📅 Monthly Milestones
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
🏆 Key Experiences
- Notable achievements:
- Significant challenges:
- Important life events:
- Memorable travels:
- New experiences:
🎬 Cultural Impact
What shaped your thinking, entertained you, or stuck with you this year?
- Books:
- Shows:
- Movies/Docs:
- Podcasts:
- Music: (Songs & Albums)
🌱 Part 2: Core Life Areas
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.
1. Personal Growth & Development
Focus, learning, mental/emotional wellbeing, creative pursuits
- Went well:
- Challenges:
- Lessons learned:
2. Health & Vitality
Fitness, nutrition, sleep, stress management
- Went well:
- Challenges:
- Lessons learned:
3. Relationships
Marriage/partner, family, friendships, professional network
- Went well:
- Challenges:
- Lessons learned:
4. Professional Life
Career wins, skills developed, work-life balance
- Went well:
- Challenges:
- Lessons learned:
🪞 Part 3: Reflection Questions
These are cross-cutting questions. Be honest, not aspirational.
1. Looking across all areas, what were your 3 most meaningful accomplishments? What enabled them?
2. What did you change your mind on this year? (2-3 key shifts)
3. What did you NOT do because of fear? What was the actual downside risk?
4. What created energy vs. drained energy? (people, activities, commitments)
5. Which single relationship had the biggest impact on your year?
🚀 Part 4: Looking Ahead
🌟 North Star
What would make next year extraordinary? Write one sentence.
🎯 Goal Planning Framework
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
1. Personal Development
- Big goal:
- Checkpoints:
- Daily systems:
- Anti-goals:
2. Health & Wellbeing
- Big goal:
- Checkpoints:
- Daily systems:
- Anti-goals:
3. Relationships & Community
- Big goal:
- Checkpoints:
- Daily systems:
- Anti-goals:
4. Professional Growth
- Big goal:
- Checkpoints:
- Daily systems:
- Anti-goals:
💡 How I Use This
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.
📥 Download the Template
Google Doc version — make a copy and fill in your own.
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