“The happiest people I know are always evaluating and improving themselves. The unhappy people are usually evaluating and judging other people.” ~The Minds Journal
January is often seen as a time for renewal and setting goals. But for me, it’s less about charging forward and more about stepping back. After the busyness and indulgence of the holiday season, I crave calm and introspection. January becomes a month for reflection, paring back the excess, and getting to the core of what truly matters.
Instead of jumping into traditional goal setting, I focus on self-evaluation, meditation, and clarity. Reflection allows me to assess where I’ve been, where I am, and where I want to go. It’s about aligning my energy and actions with my values and priorities.
I do not plan to start anew in January; that is for spring.
This is the night in the dead of winter where I pare back excess to reach the bones of my life,
So when I am reborn, I am reborn as only my most essential nature.
A poem by David Gate
Why Self-Evaluation?
As Diane von Fürstenberg wisely said:
“The most important relationship in your life is the relationship you have with yourself. Because no matter what happens, you will always be with yourself.”
This process of self-reflection nurtures that relationship. It’s a chance to pause, recalibrate, and ensure your life aligns with your deeper goals and aspirations. By understanding what’s working and what isn’t, you create the foundation for meaningful and lasting change.
The Self-Evaluation Framework
Here’s how I approach January reflection:
- Reflect on the Past Year
- What were your biggest wins?
- What challenges shaped you?
- What lessons did you learn?
- Evaluate the Present
- What’s going well right now?
- What areas of your life feel out of alignment?
- Identify Gaps and Opportunities
- What would you like to change or improve?
- Where are your most significant opportunities for growth?
- Envision Your Ideal Life
- What would your ideal life look like?
- How can you start closing the gap between where you are and where you want to be?
The Wheel of Life: A Visual Snapshot
A valuable tool I use during this process is the Wheel of Life. This visual framework breaks down key areas of life—such as career, finances, relationships, and health—allowing you to rate your satisfaction in each area. By completing the Wheel of Life, you gain a clear and tangible understanding of where you are thriving and where you may feel unfulfilled.
Would you like to try it? My Self-Evaluation Worksheet includes the Wheel of Life exercise and thought-provoking questions to help you assess your life holistically. It’s a powerful starting point to identify your gaps, strengths, and next steps.
Aligning Your Life with Your Values
The “What’s IN/What’s OUT” list is a common social media trend for the new year. This simple exercise helps clarify what you want more of and what you’re ready to leave behind. It reminds you to focus on the habits, relationships, and priorities that bring you energy and joy while releasing the things that drain you.
If you lead a team or business, I highly recommend you do this as a workplace exercise. If so, you’ll want to consider your organizational values. This alignment can extend to creating a workplace that reflects your vision and values. Using tools like personality assessments, I help individuals and leaders deepen their understanding of their purpose and values and ensure their goals reflect the core of who they are. Through self-reflection exercises, you can also align your actions with your values.
Overcoming Fear and Moving Forward
In any area of life that isn’t working, fear is winning. Fear often keeps us stuck in old patterns, preventing us from moving toward what we want. But fear can also be a guide—a signal that something meaningful is at stake. You can let fear hold you back or use it as fuel to create the change you desire.
David Gate’s poem reminds us that January is not about starting over but about peeling back the layers to reveal our essential nature. It’s a time to rest, reflect, and prepare for renewal.
Start Your January Reflection Today
If you, like me, prefer to start the new year with introspection, my Self-Evaluation Worksheet is here to help. This comprehensive guide will walk you through:
- The Wheel of Life exercise to visually assess your satisfaction in key areas.
- Reflection questions to clarify what’s working and what isn’t.
- Tools to identify your biggest gaps and map out steps toward your ideal life.
This process gives you clarity, confidence, and the foundation to make meaningful changes. Contact me if you’d like me to send you Self-Evaluation worksheets and take the first step toward living your best life.
Now, it’s your turn.
How do you like to start a new year? With a bang, ready for action with your SMART goals clearly defined? Or more like me, slow and introspective? Share in the comments.
Work-Life Design Studio 