Your Year in Review: 4 questions to set yourself up for success in 2025

Dec 16, 2024

Take a moment to pause, check in and consider — How are you feeling at the end of December?

Are you excited for a well-earned break, or running on empty?

Wherever you are right now, I hope you get to celebrate, rest and enjoy the holidays.

But before you close the chapter on 2024, I invite you to reflect on your year, career — and what you want in the next one!

Because while January feels like a fresh start, it’s easy to let your to-do list take over. Many high-achieving leaders I work with share the same story: Life gets busy. Goals lose focus.

This is why I think it’s unrealistic to rely on ONE moment in the year to reset everything. Instead, I believe in having a clear vision, setting meaningful goals and creating a step-by-step plan to reach them — ANY time of year.

In this article, I’m sharing a simple exercise to help you review your year. Discover 4 questions to reflect on your successes, learnings and prepare for 2025! 

QUESTION #1 — WHAT ARE YOU CELEBRATING?

Every January, you set big goals and work hard to achieve them. But how often do you pause to celebrate the milestones along the way? Acknowledging your success is essential for finding fulfillment at work.

Start by asking yourself —

  • What am I celebrating this year?
  • Think back to your January goals. What were the highlights — your greatest career wins?
  • What obstacles did you overcome?

List everything you’re celebrating.

Did you deliver a project on time and budget — or land an important client? Have you started a new job, been promoted or won an award? Are you working flexibly, prioritising your health or building your network?

Did you overcome health issues or family challenges? Were you dealing with burnout or a toxic work environment? Or is your team under-resourced — and you’re celebrating getting through the year?

Finally, highlight the top achievement you’re most proud of in 2024 and why it’s important to you.

QUESTION #2 — WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST LEARNING?

Now, reflect on what you learnt in 2024 and how you’ve grown. Consider the mistakes you made or things which didn’t go as planned.

Remember: Failure isn’t about the outcome — it’s about having the courage to step outside your comfort zone, try something new and grow. Start by listing out your biggest career lessons for 2024.

Is it saying no and setting boundaries, letting go of perfectionism or comparison? Did you learn to delegate to free up more space for strategic thinking? Have you put yourself out there, applied for a new role or pitched for a new client — even if it wasn’t successful?

  • Start by listing out your key learnings for 2024
  • Then, identify your most significant lesson. What will you do differently in 2025 to course-correct or avoid similar mistakes?
  • Write down the ONE change you’ll make and why it matters

QUESTION #3 — WHAT WILL YOU NO LONGER SAY YES TO?

What do you want to let go of in 2025? Consider —

  • Fears or limiting beliefs holding you back. Fear of failure (or success), imposter syndrome or not being good enough
  • Things you think you ‘should’ do based on other people’s expectations
  • Commitments or relationships which no longer serve you
  • Anything you’re no longer willing to say YES to as we enter a new year

Using the prompts above, make a list of everything you’d like to let go of in 2025.

Then, ask yourself —

  • What’s the impact on your health, important relationships, happiness or mental wellbeing?
  • What has it cost you?
  • Why do you need to let it go now?

Finally, prioritise the key things you’ll no longer say yes to. And make a commitment to yourself to honour those promises.

QUESTION #4 — WHAT’S YOUR INTENTION FOR 2025?

Imagine it’s December 2025, you’re in your ideal career and looking back on the past year. Answer these questions as if it’s already happened:

  • What goals did you reach in 2025?
  • What results did you achieve in all areas of your life. Your work, relationships, money, health, personal or professional development?
  • How did you spend your time?
  • What was the vision for the life that you wanted to create?

Let your mind wander and write down everything that you’d like to do or achieve in 2025.

Consider: What’s your intention for 2025? From what you’ve written, highlight the ONE thing you want to change or achieve.

Then ask yourself: Why does it matter? Knowing the purpose behind your goal keeps you motivated and on track — even when challenges come up!

Now, declare your goal. Write it down as if you’ve already achieved it, by finishing this sentence:

On 31 December 2025, I will have (list the goal or intention as if it’s happened). This is important to me because (insert why).

Not only does making a note of our goals help us remember them, but studies show writing them down (as if they’ve already happened) makes it more likely we’ll achieve them. This is because our brain seeks out the information we need to reach our goals — and discards the rest!

The Christmas break is the perfect time to reflect on 2024 and what you want next year. This simple year-end reflection will help you review your year, get back in alignment and ready for a strong start in 2025!

Merry Christmas! I’ll be taking a break over the Christmas period and will be back on 6 January. Wishing you and your family a safe and happy holiday season! 🎄

Want help to clarify and reach your career goals in 2025?

I invite you to book a free, 30 minute call with me in January so we can discuss the best option to support you! Book HERE.

Stacey Back is a career planning specialist, certified career coach + speaker. She helps high-achievers at a career crossroads find the work that lights them up, increase their income, impact and create a career + life on their terms. Stacey works virtually with individuals and organisations based across the globe.