Written by: Dianne McKim, Senior Level Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
As we are only a few weeks away from closing out 2022, it is a good time to consider all aspects of your life throughout this past year. Looking back can help us move forward, even when looking back can generate some negative emotions or thoughts.
Here are some questions to consider as you reflect and as you do, journal your answers and thoughts so you have something to refer to as you step into 2023.
Reflection Questions
1. What were your top 3-5 achievements at work, at home, with family, with friends?
Achievements don’t have to be big and glorious to be acknowledged.
Think about those small things that happened that made you feel good inside
2. What were the top 3-5 challenges, difficulties, issues you faced at home, with family, with friends and how did you work through them or how are you working through them?
Everyone has some things in their life that cause angst
Reflecting on these can help us see places in our life in which we may still need some help or growth
3. What help or support do you need to continue working through these challenges, difficulties, issues?
Identifying the issues and then thinking about who can help is key
A coach can help you work through many issues always with the focus of moving you forward
4. How did you grow emotionally and intellectually?
Perhaps you took a class, listened to a podcast, read an article, or watched a presentation that provided new insights for you
Consider how you may have managed to work through your feelings about a situation
5. What can you do to celebrate your achievements and growth?
Making sure we do something for ourselves helps to cement the positives in our lives
Think about what makes you feel good, what relaxes you, something you’ve wanted to try, people you want to celebrate with, and so on.
Bonus Questions
What are 2-3 things you want to incorporate in your personal and or professional life in 2023? What goals do you want to achieve next year?
For each item, write out a few steps that you will take to accomplish them
Also, write out how you will feel when you accomplish them
By journaling your responses and thoughts to these 5 questions, your brain shifts to a more positive outlook for 2023. The bonus question gets you set to start the new year in a great way with some specific goals and positive emotions. I would love to hear from you with your reflections or your considerations for next year or if you would like to talk through how coaching can help you move forward. Have a great holiday season!
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Dianne McKim, Senior Level Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
A Certified Career, Leadership, and Life Coach, Workshop Facilitator, Author, Speaker, and Guest Interviewee, Dianne McKim has the professional training, personal experiences, and knowledge to help clients successfully grow and thrive.
Dianne enjoyed a long and impactful career in Corporate America, successfully leading teams, influencing peers, mentoring team members, and interacting at all corporate levels (including C Levels). During that time, she developed strong relationships with executives, management, peers, and team members, allowing her to successfully spearhead major projects while negotiating, and navigating bureaucracy.
This wasn't always the way, however. Dianne is an abusive relationship survivor, who navigated through a long and difficult divorce, which resulted in her running a household, working full time the whole time, and raising children as a single mom for 14 years. She dealt with family issues, job losses and job searches, loss of relationships, a lack of confidence, and very low self-esteem.
Over time, Dianne rebuilt her life, rediscovering herself and strengthening her confidence. As she did, she learned how to stand strong in her abilities, understand her value and embrace her identity. As her confidence grew, she discovered how to have professional success, personal contentment, and spiritual fulfillment.
Dianne has taken all that she learned, along with her unparalleled ability and deep care and compassion for others and began Precious Stones Coaching. Her coaching style is inviting, understanding, and encouraging with just the right amount of leadership, guidance, and accountability to help her clients focus on their priorities and accomplish their goals. Dianne wholeheartedly commits to helping her clients achieve and fulfill their calling, purpose, and destiny.
