Forget New Year’s resolutions; write yourself a letter!
New Year’s resolutions are so 2020. Write yourself a letter!
Writing yourself a letter is a good way to reflect, look forward and be thankful.Write a letter at the beginning of the year to yourself to open and read at the end of the year.
Cover the following elements (Heiske shared her input as well):
What have you experienced the past year? What were the highs and lows? My low was our decision to put our house on the market. The whole process with cleaning the house for viewings and the emotional rollercoaster our potential move initiated was more intense than expected. My high was the fact that we were able to spend our holidays on our boat all alone on Dutch waters since there were no tourists. The kids had the time of their life during our 6 week (!) summer holidays.
What have you learned the past year? Here we are referring to life learnings. Where shouldn’t you spend energy on? I have learned that moving is a real life event. I realize I live in two worlds and love both of them for different reasons. I have also learned that I do not like the acquisition part of being an entrepreneur. Presenting on stage at conferences typically resulted in sales for me. In 2020 there were not so much conferences. This made me think about new ways to sell my services. I realized that I am not the call-meet-deal type.
What do you want to bring with you into next year and what do you want to leave behind? Here you can think about a friend, a lesson, a hobby, a bad habit, a contact that has a negative impact on you. In 2020 I started to appreciate our house again, since we had to spend so much time there. I want to take that with me in 2021. The same applies to my daily exercise. What I would love to leave behind is my idea (limiting belief) that I need to perform better; being the insecure overachiever. 
What do you want to experience next year? Do you have ideas in mind that you want to accomplish once? What are these? Jot them down. I want to have my book finalized next year. Ha, ha, now I said it, so I have to do it. I also want to decide on where we are going to live, make that happen and embrace it. As long as it is ‘in the air’ it results in a restless feeling.
What do you want to develop next year? Continuous learning is required in today’s world. I want to develop the skills to create an online sales funnel. I also want to learn (again) to properly navigate on sea. I haven’t sailed alone on the sea anymore since we have kids.
What of your experiences in the past year are you thankful for? Being thankful for something makes you happier. That’s why it is good to finish your letter with the top 3 things you are thankful for. For me it is 1) my family being in good health, 2) the kids feeling good about themselves, 3) that we were able to enjoy the full 6 weeks of our summer holiday all together.
Once you have covered all 6 elements above your letter is ready to send!
Do it in a nice envelop and open it December next year. Just before you write yourself a new letter.
This is a nice way to reflect on what you have accomplished the past 12 months. We are convinced that in this way you get more insights about yourself.
Enjoy, have a great New Year’s Eve and wish you all the best in your new year!
The Tomorrow’s Leadership Team