11 Comments
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Michelle Garcia's avatar

Chris, I've been doing an annual review for more than a decade because of you. Thank you for introducing this to so many people, myself included. It has become a cornerstone of my year and a grounding annual ritual.

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Chris Guillebeau's avatar

I'm so happy to hear that! Thank you, Michelle—so glad it's been helpful. 🙏

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Martin Kuester's avatar

Great ideas in the thinking ahead section. For me 2024 was a year of grokking the essence of rest and exploring Jazz. But thus far no brainstorms about what 2025 will be...

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Hugh Kennedy's avatar

My favorite jazz album this year was Cloud 10 by Chip Wickham. A new friend introduced it to me in Amsterdam. Gives you hope that jazz is continuing to thrive.

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Caroline Smrstik's avatar

The most appealing sentence, the one that caught my attention immediately, was "Every December... I've taken time away..."

This month always triggers the "fight or flight" in me. Perhaps I should be preempting this response by fleeing for some introspection before I fight myself and all oncoming demons into exhaustion. It's December 12 and I am there already.

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Carol Szymanski's avatar

I love the idea of summarizing your values in a single word rather than making resolutions. Having a North Star to guide you in the year ahead is a great idea. Service. Kindness. Gratitude.

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Hugh Kennedy's avatar

I didn't think I had much to add to What Went Well this year, but once I got started I was on a roll. I got divorced and got some of my sanity back. I learned to manage a large house on my own. I celebrated a year with my new boyfriend. I ran 10 half-marathons over 10 weeks. I did some great work at my agency. And so on. I'll definitely use the template for 2025. Thanks!

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Chris Guillebeau's avatar

Well done, Hugh! Also—10 half marathons in 10 weeks! 🙇‍♂️

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Susan J Hilger's avatar

I love taking the time for an annual review, and setting intentions, not necessarily 'goals' for the coming year. thanks for this lovely work

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Maia Duerr's avatar

Always appreciate these Annual Reviews, Chris! I've been right there with you doing these for many years, although the last few years I've fallen out of the habit. I'm committing to return to it in the next couple of weeks.

Over the years I've come up with my own approach to it, similar to yours in some ways, different in others. The common thread as you so beautifully describe it: "There's something powerful about taking time to consciously shape the year ahead instead of just letting it happen to us." Yes yes yes!

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Georgia Patrick's avatar

My inbox is filling up with Annual Review articles. When you say "next few posts" are you thinking you'll get your approach described before the end of this month?

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