Take Aim at Growth: Reflecting on Your Year

As the final leaves of December swirl down, a familiar feeling settles in a mix of nostalgia for the year gone by and anticipation for the one to come. It’s a time for resolutions, for fresh starts, and for taking stock of the journey we’ve traversed.

In retirement, I went back and took archery classes. The last time I had a bow in my hand was when I was 10 years old. As I stared at the target, life stared back.

At the end of each round, you gather your arrows and assess your hits and misses. Did you hit the bullseye? Did some arrows stray wide? Did some miss completely?

At the end of the year, it’s time to collect the arrows. Did the moments fly straight to where we aimed? Was our aim off? Did what I want my life to reflect hit the target and where? Each arrow is a moment in time,

Examining Your Targets: Self-Reflection For Grow

Socrates observed, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” This year-end introspection isn’t about dusting off regrets; it’s about fueling growth. It seeks to understand how we’ve changed, what we’ve learned, and where we want to aim our arrows in the coming year.

Start with Yourself: A Personal Bullseye

How have you grown this year? We often ask this question about the visible – career advancements, weight loss goals, or financial milestones. But the most profound growth happens within, in the quiet spaces of self-discovery.

– What books did you devour, and which ones left you untouched?

– What skills did you hone, and what vulnerabilities did you uncover?

– Did you conquer a fear, or stumble into a new one?

Growth isn’t always a straight line. Sometimes, the greatest lessons come from stumbles and setbacks. As Dr. Arthur Brooks, a happiness researcher at Harvard, suggests, keep a “failure list.” Revisit it to ask, “What did I learn from this experience?”

Embrace the stumbles, celebrate the small victories, and acknowledge the awkward teenager who still peeks out from time to time. This self-reflection is the bedrock upon which you build your new year.

Expanding Your Target: The Ripple Effect of Kindness

Our life arrows don’t fly in a vacuum. They whiz through the air, impacting the lives of those around us. Take a moment to consider:

– Who have you helped this year, in big or small ways?

– Did you offer a listening ear, a helping hand, or a kind word on a difficult day?

Our actions, even the unrecognized ones, create ripples extending far beyond our immediate circle. Recognizing this connection can be a powerful motivator for continued kindness.

Remembering Arrows Lost: Honoring Loss with Gratitude

Loss might have marked this year. The absence of loved ones can leave gaping holes in our lives. But even in grief, there’s space for growth and gratitude.

– Think of the friendships, the laughter, the lessons learned from those you’ve lost.

– Carry their memory with you, allowing it to fuel your journey forward.

Aiming Forward: Embracing the Open Road

Restock your quiver and adjust. your aim. Now is the time to look at the horizon ahead. The new year stretches before you, a blank canvas waiting for your mark.

– What lessons are you carrying into the next chapter?

– What skills do you want to cultivate?

– Who will you reach out to and how will you make a difference?

Remember Janus, the Roman god of doorways and beginnings. His two faces look back, the other peers forward. Embrace this duality. Let the past inform your present, and let the future ignite your excitement.

As you step into the new year, do so with intention, with kindness, and with the unwavering desire to grow. Take aim, archer, and hit your mark.

Remember, life contains a thousand arrows but begins with a single, intentional shot. Take yours today.