9 Best Questions to End This Year

1. What have you done that you are most proud of this year?

We all have 525,800 minutes to invest this year. You might have filled them with commuting, business meetings, family meals, prayer, exercise, politics, sports, or just shooting the breeze with friends. A handful stood out. Maybe you taught a child to read, saved a company from a costly mistake, helped a friend through a difficult time, or even said “I do” with a new spouse. Take a moment now to evaluate what you did with these minutes and notice which are most meaningful. When you acknowledge what you are most proud of, you learn more about how to exercise your best self.

2. What worked best for you this year?

What gave you the most ongoing satisfaction, pleasure, and fulfillment this year?  We all strive to accept what is out of our control, and make the most of what is within our control. Just about every day, something in your control gave you a measure of personal or business success. Once you have figured out which actions created the best outcomes, you can determine how to maximize those actions to generate the greatest success and fulfillment.

3. How did you stay focused on what is most important to you?

With constant demands for our attention, it’s all too easy to get distracted in today’s 24/7 world. How did you keep yourself on track to achieve your priorities? The most successful people have optimized ways to focus their attention on what’s most important, regardless of the circumstances. You can do it too. In fact, you probably already know how to focus your attention, but most people don’t do it consistently.

4. What have you done that you are least proud of this year?

We all make choices that don’t serve us.  You may have lost your temper when it would have been best to stay cool. Perhaps you lied to your spouse, friend or coworker, or feel like you short changed someone who believes in you. You are human, which means you have a conscience and can usually resolve these issues. If you permanently eliminate the one thing you’re least proud of each year, you will raise your self-esteem and the quality of your life.

5. What have you not done that you wish you had done this year?

We all have goals that we’d love to achieve but haven’t. That’s mostly because it’s easier said than done to achieve every goal we set. Procrastination and distractions are obstacles we all encounter. We procrastinate because we fear that something bad could happen. You can best overcome procrastination by breaking down your goals into the best bite-size, achievable steps. Then every little step places you on the fastest track to your goals.

6. How can you minimize what doesn’t serve your best interests?

When you maximize what is in your best interests, you will automatically reduce what does not serve you.  Take a moment now to define the issues that sabotage your best interests. You probably already know about the culprits, so you don’t need to dwell on them.  Instead, take some time to determine the actions within your control that will minimize them. If you need help, we are here for you.

7. What are the top three actions you can take to close out this year?

Most people evaluate their achievements on a yearly basis.  If you’re not proud of this year, you still have time to make the most of it — if you act now.  Take time right now to figure out your three highest priorities to end this year with your head held high.  What is missing that you must include to maximize this year? You can do it now!

8. How can you best position for an optimal new year?

It is time to figure out what you want to achieve next year.  Dreams are goals without action steps and target dates. You will have goals in many areas of your life. SUPREME goals are Specific, Uplifting, Paramount, Reachable, Exciting, Measurable, Enjoyable and within definite time frames. Write down your SUPREME goals. Prioritize these goals and then break them down into achievable steps. Place them in your calendar and put your best self in charge of them. If you take just one action on each of your goals every week, you’ll be astonished by how much you will accomplish in 52 weeks. It’s in your best interest to share your goals with a friend or trusted adviser to keep you accountable.

9. How can you make it a habit to fully appreciate the present moment?

The present moment is all you have, all you have ever had, and all you will ever have. Your life is always in the present moment.  Become mindful of how you can stay consistently engaged in making the most of the ever-present moment. This requires Optimal Thinking.  Optimal Thinking generates the best choices and empowers you to do your best. Be sure to make Optimal Thinking your habit!

Want some help to make the most of these nine questions?

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