You can stop there with your thoughts.  However, I suggest you turn them into writings.  They could be just a couple of words or short sentences to describe your experiences, or your writings can expand to become a short story, a journal, or a book.  You may have the making for an autobiography, novel, mystery, or even a science fiction story, depending on your life experiences!

You could also create a collage of photos depicting different events that stand out in your mind.  With many of us having camera phones, you may have pictures of everyday activities that are meaningful to you.  You can use them to create a special 2011 pictorial review book.   

You may be asking yourself "what is the purpose of this exercise?" or "why should I take my time to do this?"  The answer is that it allows you to examine and celebrate your life in a unique way. Whatever method you choose (thoughts, writings, or pictures), this activity can expand your self-awareness, increase your self-appreciation, and broaden your understanding of others. You can also gain valuable insights about yourself and those around you that can help you create greater personal and professional success in this New Year and beyond.

Below are several questions that can help you form your review.  Ask yourself each one in the context of last year.  You may not have answers for all the questions.  However, I challenge you to delve deeply into your life to discover answers to as many of them as you can.  Many times there are rich experiences in our everyday lives that we fail to acknowledge because we are looking for something really spectacular that made a big impression on us.

Although I am giving you the questions, you may have some of your own you want to add to this list, I encourage you to do so.  If you come up with questions you think others would benefit from asking themselves, please email them to me.  I will list them in the next newsletter for readers to consider.  Here are the questions (remember add "last year" at the end of each one).    

1.   What goals did I achieve?

2.   What disappointments did I experience? 

3.   What new talents or abilities did I discover I had? 

4.   What new personal friends did I make?  

5.   What new professional or business relationships did I form?  

6.   What did I start doing that has proven to be valuable to me?  

7.   What undertaking(s) am I most proud of?  

8.   What are some things I could have done differently at work, at home, or            in my personal relationships? 

9.    What were some opportunities I missed and why?

10.  What am I most grateful for?  

11.  Who helped me in a meaningful way? 

12.  Who did I help in a meaningful way?

If you find it difficult to answer these questions because you cannot fully remember what happened last year, I suggest that in 2012 you keep a journal of your activities, encounters, and experiences.  That way, at the end of this year, you will have a resource to review to help you consider these same questions.

I have three questions which will make this exercise truly valuable for you. After reviewing what your life was like in 2011, for this New Year what will you:

1. Start doing

2. Stop doing

3. Continue doing

A final question for you - why don't you begin doing those things today.