The "Real-Real" of Your 2024 Story
Let's Get Real
There's no "perfect" time for reflection. Start anyway.
Let's talk about reflection - you know, that thing we all know we should do but somehow never find time for! Between back-to-back meetings, endless decisions, and that ever-growing to-do list, pausing to reflect can feel like a luxury you can't afford.
Here's what I know: reflection isn't just a nice-to-have, it's your secret weapon for growth. It's how we turn experiences into wisdom and challenges into stepping stones. (It certainly has been for me!)
The good news? You don't need a weekend retreat or a 100-page journal to make it happen. Let's break it down into bite-sized pieces that actually fit into your real life.
Reflection on 2024: Mining for Gold
Time to look back at your year with curiosity (and yes, maybe a little courage):
What challenged you this year that actually helped you grow?
Which "mistakes" turned into valuable lessons?
What feedback stuck with you (for better or worse)?
When did you surprise yourself with your resilience?
Quick Tip: Think of reflection like cleaning out your closet - sometimes you need to sort through things to find the real gems!
Vision for 2025: Turning Insights into Action
Now, let's use those insights to shape your path forward:
How can you build on what you've learned this year?
What patterns do you want to shift?
Which strengths could you lean into more?
What would future you thank present you for changing?
💡 Try This: Start a "Leadership Wins" folder in your phone or email. Drop in screenshots of great feedback, notes from successful projects, or moments you're proud of. Future you will thank you during your next reflection session!
CARE AI Prompt of the Week: REFLECT
Don't worry, it's not sacrilegious to work with technology to help you reflect on what's in your heart and mind. Disregard the idea of a "perfect time" to reflect and just START! That's the beauty of using AI (like Claude.ai or Pi.ai) as a thought partner, it will hold your last thought until you come back to it!
"I'd like to have a thoughtful conversation about my growth this year. I'll share a challenging situation I faced and what I think I learned from it. Could you play the role of a curious, supportive coach and help me extract deeper insights? Ask me questions that help me see patterns, hidden strengths, and opportunities for growth. Here's my situation: [describe your challenge and initial learnings]"
Next: Get ready for "E" in CARE - Engage. We'll explore how to put all these insights into meaningful action (and make it stick!).
Here's to learning from the past and getting excited about the future! You've got this!
