Many articles and posts cover reflection of 2022 as December comes to a close. As someone who often let the reflection component of a lesson slip, I enjoy the reminders to step back and think about how I grew and what I learned over the past year. December’s reflection always leads into January’s goal setting and promises to grow in the coming year.
In this post, I want to offer some options I like that can be used to create goals or growth opportunities for 2023. Additionally, I will share one of my favorite ways to connect with team members on their goals and how they are growing.
Getting to Know You
Sometimes the best way to head into a new year with an open mind and willingness to grow is by knowing oneself a little better. There are so many fun ways to learn more about how you see the world or preferences for day-to-day living. More popular ones are the DISC Profile, Myers-Briggs (I really like the 16 Personalities version), and Strengths Finder.
However, my favorite system for understanding myself better is the Enneagram. Enneagram Coach Jenn Whitmer described the Enneagram as the WHY behind our preferences as identified in DISC Profiles or Myers-Briggs or Strengths Finder. The Enneagram is foundational.
You can take an online quiz to find your Enneagram, but that is only to show you where to start. You should read about the 9 Types and decide where you identify the most. I identify most as a Type 1 but can easily be mistaken for a Type 3 or 8 depending on the situation. Only you can type yourself. Only you know why you respond to the world the way you do.
Another way to support growth in the new year is to understand what motivates you. It turns out, not everyone works for more money, a trophy, or a title. Those are not bad things. However, I realized that is not what motivates me. That means anyone offering that as the end goal will miss the mark with me. I want to be offered the opportunity to contribute. I want to be heard. Offer me that, and I will work my hardest to keep from disappointing anyone.
Keep It Simple
Choosing a word of the year can be powerful. It is simply one word that you can come back to throughout the year to orient yourself when life starts to happen. A quick internet search for word of the year will return step-by-step guides for finding your word to quizzes or random word generators.
My word for 2022 was BALANCE. I can get bogged down in one of the many roles I occupy which is not healthy. My family should not “miss me” because I bring work home. I cannot lay about all day watching movies when I have a dissertation to finish. Actually, Kendra Adachi’s The Lazy Genius Way helped me find that balance…most of the time.
Having a Vision
Vision Boards are incredibly popular, and as someone who is drawn to bright and colorful visuals I enjoy creating and viewing a Vision Board. However, I am not one to physically create the board because I never know if I want to put it up at work or at home. Then I wonder if I should make two – one personal and one professional. Then I over think that because I feel like that would put too much on me.
This past year I found a great way to create a Vision Board that I could reference anywhere while also adding resources to help me achieve my Vision. Using the Canva feature, I created a digital Vision Board as the header for a Wakelet. Then I added resources I could read or reference throughout the year. Additionally, after doing this for a few years, you can look back on your growth towards your vision over time.
Puttin’ in the Work(book)
Another way to reflect on 2022 and plan for 2023 is to use workbooks or books. This means setting aside the time to follow a longer process. There is definitely a specific type of person this is built for, and I am not sure I am that type of person. Ha ha ha. I always start strong and fade off. However, I have a variety of options that I do want to check out and encourage others to try if you are that type of person.*
Creating a Rule of Life – This does cost $27. Tsh Oxenreider created a self-paced course to help you create a Rule of Life (defined as a commitment to live your life in a particular way). A new year is a great time to create something to use for 2023 and beyond!
YearCompass – This is a free download. It asks you to think back on 2022 in order to plan out a successful 2023. It does ask for honest reflections on the ups and downs of the year, so I know I’ll need to be in a very reflective mindset before working through it.
You Need a Manifesto – This is a book that walks you through creating a tool for helping with every day decisions in your life. It is a part of the d.school Guides from Stanford University. Check out all of the books because they are great too.
The Hero’s Journal – This is pretty pricey. It makes you the hero of an adventure by tying items to your life. I’ve never purchased one but am incredibly intrigued. If anyone tries this and loves it, I am interested in hearing about it.
Devotionals – There are so many kinds of these out there, and the ones I’ve worked through in the past are religious in nature. The one I have on my nightstand is Elisabeth Bennett’s 60-Day Enneagram Devotional: the Perfectionist Growing as an Enneagram 1. Devotionals do require a level of dedication that goes beyond the first few weeks of the new year.
*Thanks to @u2woods for the first three recommendations.
Whew. That is a lot. I hope you find something that suits how you wish to approach the new year. As for checking in on those goals we like to set – a member of the #CoffeeEDU community in my area shared the concept of a Sip and Share. As a leader, I schedule chats each quarter with my team where I provide their favorite, school appropriate beverage. Then as they sip, they share how they feel they are doing with their goals. Additionally, I have my own notes ready about what I’ve seen in terms of how they are achieving the goals they set at the beginning of the year. There is nothing evaluative about a Sip and Share. It is about making sure the team members I support have what they need to be successful and grow.
Do you do anything special for planning for a new year? I would love to know about it. Feel free to share in the comments.
Today’s Tea: Still enjoying Deck the Halls from Adagio Teas Christmas Line
An Educational Cup of Tea 
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