Imagine you’re the boss of your life and you’re preparing a report for yourself. You’ve been working hard. Now’s the time to revel in your progress!

The best way to get ready for the new year is take a flyover and see your existence from a distance. Pull back and reflect on what was most meaningful.

Write down your top five things accomplished in 2013.

Beyond the obvious resume-type accomplishments like graduating or getting a new job, what did you learn? Do you have a new skill like juggling, baking bread from scratch or dyeing yarn?

How did you affect people?

Is your life in a better place than last January?  Was it a good year for you? If not, what is in your power to change for next year?

Think about aspects such as faith, relationships, home, health, money, career and creativity.

Ideas about what you might have achieved (any of these true for you?)

• I got socks and shoes on my young children every day. (Any parent will appreciate that this is a major accomplishment!)
• This was the year I flossed.
• I made the bed in a semi-regular way.
• I let myself daydream.
• I let my passion breathe.
• I let myself laugh.
• I let myself grieve.
• I opened the door just a crack for hope and joy to sneak in a little.
• I found meaning in my faith.
• I trusted the Lord even when I didn’t understand everything that happened to me.
• I forgave myself for losing my patience.
• I experimented with a new way of doing things!
• I was willing to change.
• I wrote poetry.
• I made art.
• I sang, and the music carried me.
• I read a book that changed my thinking.
• I read the Bible and let the Holy Spirit infuse my life.
• I built an afghan rack.
• I lived life with a sense of humor.
• I enjoyed strong, nourishing and stimulating friendships.
• I remembered to say “thank you” for the marvelous gift of being alive.
• I loved my pony as if I were a little girl. (Did you guess…this is one of mine!!)

Why celebrate?

Celebrating your accomplishments energizes you! Completion gives us a sense of joy and fulfillment.

When you discover what gave you the most satisfaction this year, you can bring more of what nourishes you to your life.

Remind yourself of how you’re thriving!

Put your list up on the mirror for the next two weeks.  Rejoice in your successes! Acknowledge how much work you’ve done.

We live in a future-thinking culture that makes to-do lists. January 1—the big day of resolutions—is around the corner. Why not look back for a moment? Looking back and defining your values will propel you forward in the direction you want to go.

Know what matters to you and what you’re capable of so you can plan where you want to go in 2014. This is your time. Use it!

Take it to a friend

My sister and I enjoy sharing our lists with each other. Telling another person about what you’ve done is a powerful way to deepen your sense of purpose.

What is your favorite accomplishment of 2013?

Let’s hear yours, and how you managed to achieve it in the comments below!