Retrospection
I’m all about goals.
We have to set them—firmly plant them—and then let go.
Immerse ourselves in the process.
Get curious about what will happen.
The latter part—letting go—being the hardest part.
How to you let go?
BE.
BE the person who achieves the goal.
Because the DOING follows the BEING.
As Ross Ulbricht says, “action ripples.”
But, for the New Year, I want to get away from goals.
Likely, I won’t fully as things are circular—in some fashion, all that we do comes back to the beginning.
With that said, my aim is to make this blog different from most New Year messages: that turning of attention toward the New Year; to the New You.
This one is about looking back.
Retrospection.
The value of seeing where you’ve come from.
It’s easy to trick yourself into believing that you are the same person—that nothing has changed—when you’re working toward a goal.
“It’s not happening,” we say to ourselves.
But, when we immerse ourselves in the process, we can let go of the time handle.
The disrupter of most goals.
If we’re only forward thinking, we’re never in a position to look back and actually see the change.
We prevent ourselves from seeing the actual progress we’ve made.
As such, we block ourselves from building confidence.
Confidence: a key piece of the goal puzzle.
For me: what a journey…
BE: Professional
I did a 360-feedback assessment early in 2024.
I got some feedback that stung a bit—and shined a light on interpersonal obstacles I’ve experienced throughout my life.
I worked hard on this feedback over the year.
Today: I’m a better teammate. I’m a better leader. I’m a better leader. I’m a better partner. I’m a better father. I’m a better friend. I’m more professional.
BE: Better in Relationships
I didn’t love some of the feedback I got.
I strove to be better in relationships.
“What got you here, won’t get you there.”
I started doing things different.
Changing patterns.
Taking risks.
Giving myself grace.
Today: My life is so full of people. My network has grown. Relationships have deepened. I’m more confident in social settings. An acquaintance recently said, “Gosh, Reed, you’re like the mayor of this town.”
BE: An Athlete
Since January, I’ve developed a habit around my swimming routine.
I just showed up to practice at 6am: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.
As the year progress, I added a bike ride on Wednesday and Saturday.
And then a long run on Sunday.
Today: I’m really fit. I’m lighter. I’m a heck of a lot faster. I feel more and more like an athlete.
Taking this time to reflect on some of these areas has helped me see the change.
Realizing actual progress toward goals.
A deeper trust in the process.
A sense of accomplishment.
More confidence.
And a curiosity of what will emerge if I keep onward.
None of this is to brag.
It’s just to show my process.
To give you something to do as you move forward in 2025.
It’s a slight nudge to take the time to honor yourself and look back at where you come from over the past year.
Because, when you do, I’m guessing that you, too, can experience a little whoa.
A little more confidence.
An even more curiosity as you move forward in the goal process.
“Gosh, I wonder what will blossom over the next year?”
Today, do a little retrospection.
And then…
Onward.