Want a Stronger 2026? Begin With This.
Before you jump into any big plans for next year, there’s one simple step that puts everything else on solid ground: taking a moment to look back at the year you just lived.
When you pause and reflect, you give yourself the clarity you need to make smarter, more confident choices moving forward.
Most people skip this step because it feels slow or unnecessary. But the best professionals know the truth.
You grow faster when you understand what actually happened and why it happened.
Start With A Quiet Moment
Set aside 20–30 minutes when you won’t be interrupted. Sit somewhere calm, grab a notebook or open a blank note on your phone, and think honestly about the past year.
Then ask yourself questions like:
→ What were my biggest wins, and what helped make them possible?
→ Which challenges were the hardest, and what did they teach me?
→ Where did I surprise myself, and where did I fall short?
→ How did these moments change the way I work or make decisions?
You’re not trying to write a perfect report. You’re simply trying to understand the story of your year.
Go One Layer Deeper
Instead of only listing what happened, try to uncover the reasons behind each moment.
If a project went better than planned, think about the habits, people, or choices that made it work.
If a deal slipped away, look for the steps you might change next time. When you dig one layer deeper, you start noticing helpful patterns. Things you want to repeat and things you want to leave behind.
This is where reflection becomes practical.
It’s about insight.
Write Down What You Discover
Many top performers keep a simple reflection habit because they don’t want to lose the lessons they’ve earned.
You can use a journal, a digital note, or even a short “Year Review” page you update every December.
It doesn’t need to be fancy… just consistent.
And here’s the amazing part: when you look back on these notes later, you can actually see how far you’ve come.
That feeling creates motivation you can’t fake.
It reminds you that progress is possible and gives you confidence as you step into the new year.
Why This Matters So Much
Reflection isn’t about judging yourself or reliving mistakes. It’s about understanding what worked, what didn’t, and what you want to carry forward.
That kind of clarity sets you up for better conversations, stronger follow-up, smarter decisions, and more momentum in your business development work.
When you know where you’ve been, it becomes a lot easier to decide where you’re going.
Mo
P.S. If you want a deeper look at how to track and reflect in a simple, practical way, I shared a short email series a couple of years ago that outlines the exact process I follow every year. It walks you through everything step-by-step. You can check it out here.