Today is November 1st. 2018 is coming to a close. In the corporate world, we are well into the fourth quarter. It’s that time of year when businesses begin to analyze how the year has gone, to review wins and losses, to note what goals have been accomplished and what lingers undone.

This year-end review can be helpful for individuals as well. Many people wait until late December or New Year’s before beginning this piece of introspection but a bit of analysis in November has some distinct advantages. You can get a jump on making needed changes before the holiday season. By taking a look at your life and goals now, you might actually finish a few more things and check them off as completed for 2018. 

Don’t be discouraged if you have more missed opportunities than accomplishments or if your list of things undone makes you want to give up and eat the entire basket of leftover Halloween candy. Remember the best way forward is often with baby steps. You can make small, positive changes right now and end the year on a much happier note. Give yourself the gift of grace and forgiveness for the things you missed and make sure to celebrate the good things about the year.

So before the holiday madness sets in, take some time to ask yourself some questions about this year of 2018. Here are 15 questions to get you started. Feel free to add your own more specific questions.

• How well did you keep your New Year’s Resolutions?

• What was your biggest achievement of the year?

• What are you proud of from 2018?

• What career goals did you accomplish?

• What projects have you completed?

• What was your greatest failure of the year?

• Where are you feeling stuck?

• Where did most of your money go? What do your finances look like at this time of the year?

• When did you feel the most alive?

• What was the best book you read?

• How well did you take care of your body, mind and soul?

• What is one thing you would change about this year if you could?

• What do you need to let go of?

• What life lessons did you learn this year?

• What one thing would make your year more satisfying? What small action steps can you take to make it happen?

We’ll revisit many of these questions at the end of December but try a little early November analysis. Remember to practice self-forgiveness and grace. This is not about beating yourself up for what you didn’t do - but giving yourself a chance to make some changes and create a beautiful ending for 2018.

Anita Flowers is a Board Certified career and life coach at Blue Sage Career Strategies. A little different than most life coaches, Anita’s background in clinical psychology and years of experience as a counselor gives her a rich understanding of human development and family dynamics. Her work history includes 13 years working with an international business company and 12 years doing individual and family counseling as well as career counseling. This blend of counseling and business experience gives Anita a unique perspective on the world of work and life. Anita works with people literally all over the world to help them discover a life and career they love.   Contact Anita here to get started on your new career and life!