Reflection is good for the soul.
Personal reflection is even better if you act on it.
You may not be an “end of the year – take a two-day retreat in the mountains” kind of person. I’m not either. I can think through and process these questions in the time it would have taken me to drive there and back. Hey, I’m all for those who love a mountain retreat, but I’m not wired to be in that much silence for that long. I’d end up trying to make friends with a bear or something.
If quiet reflection is not motivating for you, try it verbally with your spouse or a close friend. The key is to make it enjoyable, not a chore.
Regardless of your wiring, personality, or how much time you have for this, investing quality think time to process 2021 will position you for a substantially better 2022.
There are three keys to getting the most out of this process.
Honesty
Be honest with yourself. If you are courageous, ask a close and trusted friend to “test” your reflections. But, short of that, being authentic with yourself is essential. Don’t beat yourself up, but tell yourself the truth.
Gratitude
The best disposition for this reflection is gratitude. If you begin by writing a quick list about all that you are thankful for, specifically in 2021, the process will be more encouraging and productive.
Action
Do something. That’s the bottom line. Change. How do you want to be different? Live differently? Live better? You get to choose. My advice is not to make a list too long. That can be overwhelming. If you make a long list, prioritize it and start with a shortlist of the most important things first.
10 Personal Questions:
1) Did you make a new friend?
Simple enough, right? Not always. Your life is busy, it’s full, and it isn’t easy to find time to do all you are currently responsible for. Where would you find time for a new friend? Yet one of the most valuable, enjoyable, growth-oriented, and life-giving things is found in meeting new people and making new friends.
2) Did you spend less than you made?
I hope you did not endure a financial hardship this year that made this one impossible. If so, I pray 2022 is a fresh new start for you. Otherwise, we know the merit of this question and the wisdom of spending less than you make. The 10-10-80 method is still a great plan. Save 10%, Give 10% and Live on 80%.
3) Did you pray in a way that your heart is full?
This might be a tough question. But to start, I don’t mean it quantitatively. It’s not about how much you prayed (though that can matter), but the results of your prayers. Did you pray in a way that you saw God move? Did your prayers draw you closer to God’s heart? Did you sense the power of the Holy Spirit at work?
4) Did you take good care of your body?
Don’t stop reading now. I know this one may feel extra personal, but it’s just for you to consider. As someone who ate homemade chocolate chip cookies every night for some thirty years, I have my struggles here! But, it’s possible to eat smart and exercise regularly. Don’t pick a hard-core fad. Start simple. Celebrate your success (not with a cookie.) And keep going. If you are beginning, even a brisk walk 3-5 times a week can be life-changing!
5) Did you learn something new and specific about leadership?
It’s possible to lead for an entire year, work hard, read books, and listen to podcasts and not learn or practice something new as a leader. So, naming what you learned and in what specific way you are a better leader is vitally important.
6) Did you love your family in a way they feel it?
It doesn’t matter if you are a thinking or feeling-based person (Myers Briggs), or if you are an introvert or extrovert, loving people in a way they receive it and feel it matters. I think the simple love language guide that Gary Chapman wrote years ago is still a great tool. The 5 are words of affirmation, acts of service, receiving gifts, quality time, and physical touch. Do you know which one matches those you love the most?
7) Did you forgive someone who hurt you?
As a pastor, I’m very aware of the hurts that people carry. I hear the stories and understand how hard it can be to forgive. And leaders are by no means exempt from this kind of pain. Nonetheless, the burden from lack of forgiveness is greater than the burden to find the grace to forgive genuinely. You may not be able to forgive fully in an instant, but you can start the process by acknowledging intent and desire to forgive. Then, if your heart is genuine, God will help you get there.
8) Did you finish that one big project?
This is one of the questions that I don’t have the response I would like. I wanted to complete several big projects around the house this year but did not finish them. I didn’t even start a couple of them! I’m going after 2-3 in 2022 with a commitment to completion! How about you?
9) Did you focus on positive and forward-moving thoughts?
One of the most healthy and productive disciplines is staying focused on positive, pure, and productive thoughts. But, of course, it’s not as easy as it may seem. From difficult times in general to the fact that the enemy wants to cloud your mind with negative, self-defeating, and sinful thoughts, it takes disciplined focus to remain consistently positive.
10) Did you hear God speak clearly to you?
We touched on this in question #5, but where that one focused on prayer, this one centers on you hearing the voice of God. What was the most impacting thing you heard God say to you in 2021? What is the last thing you heard God speak to you this year? How did it change you? Listening is core to this practice, followed by joyful obedience.
I hope these practical and personal questions help you have a fantastic New Year!
Dan, I love that you shared with us the 10. the last one I have a special burden about. it seems from my perspective that few of our friends in the faith hear clearly enough from the lord. it may be that the awareness to listen is not well understood. perhaps you will write about that soon and be able to help many. I learned years ago but a giant step deeper when I knew Joyce was dieing. I love you much.
Hey Pastor Rich!
I always appreciate the depth of your insights and so grateful for your friendship these many years!
Much love and respect.
Nice meeting you
I got inspired after reading
these ten questions that can make the year 2022 better to
Blessings to you in 2022!
Grateful for these 10. Concise, straightforward.
Glad they are helpful!
Thanks for the 10 question to ask and answer.
Blessings Onesmus!
I feel blessed and energized both physically and spiritually by these 10. By sharing this, you are contributing in building a people of power and praise.
Glad you sense God’s blessing Ebere!
Those ten questions remind me how we are to love God as it says in Luke 10:27. Number one reminded me of a time when I had gotten to know a neighbor. Just before we moved his wife thanked me for getting to know him. She was a Christian and her husband was not. At two funerals of the funerals I did he was there. I think sometime we can be so mired in what we do we treat ministry as a job and not as God’s call on our life. We treat it as a job rather than a joy in which God gives us so many blessings. Each week I speak with the man who helped me to grow when I was a young Christian. Every week I am reminded of where we have been and where we should be going. I have known him since August of 1972. It is still the same daily habits that are most important.
Cool story Gerald, Thanks!
Leader ship has been the hardest thing I have ever done it was so easy to read about it. But when I was faced the challenges of walking as a leader with different challenges I found I had to dig very deep into my prayer life and be willing to look honestly at myself to make sure I was following God‘s well his word reflects true leader ship but I find it hard to follow yet I want to be an example of what God‘s word reflects in this world thank you for your help
Great statement… leadership is easy to read about, much more difficult to do. And I couldn’t agree more about prayer!! Stay close to God, and keep leading!
Thanks for sharing this.
I see number ten as the most essential factor. How can we, in fact be faithful, without being in intimate fellowship with the one who brings us to faith, seeking to gestate Christ-likeness in each of us. I think that we need to repent of putting the Holy Spirit on the ‘back burner’. And how can we actually “Carefully consider one another (spouse, children, neighbour, coworker, fellow believer etc.) in order to stir up love and good works.”(Hebrews 10:24) without the power of the Holy Spirit. “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.” (Zechariah 4: 6).
Thank you for your comments Ralph.
Blessings!
I really enjoy reading your writings. Good food for thought. May your new year be blessed for all the blessing you do.
RK
So glad they are helpful Robin!
Blessings!
Thanks Dan – so refreshing among all the new year dribble that’s out there.
Thank you Al!
Thankful for these reflective questions and also the contributions through the responses.
Thank you again.
A blessed 2022 to you.
Regards from the Fiji islands.
So glad they are helpful to you Alisi!
Blessings!
Thanks you so much, they are inspiring and challenging.Stay blessed in 2022.
Glad to hear they are helpful to you!