They say we usually overestimate what can be achieved in a year and underestimate what can be achieved in 10 years. 12 months ago, I definitely overestimated what I would achieve with Peak Women in 2023 but underestimated what I would achieve this year in general. I could be disappointed that I am ending another year without having officially launched the Peak Women range, however I am thankful for the things that have happened. This also means I have something to look forward to and plan for in 2024 including the launch of Peak Women in Q2 2024 and the pending birth of our first baby in January.

This year has been disappointingly slow when it came to Peak Women due to delays with fabric and printing that prolonged sample stages much longer than I would have liked. We are now moving to launch our first Peak Women range in Q2 of 2024 but there are still a few more hurdles to get through including the Christmas break, finalising our production run and giving birth to our first baby. You know just the small stuff. Given my disappointment at the slow progress of Peak Women in 2023, I have reflected on the positives from this year and my gratitude for the experiences I have had. It is important to remember our achievements as we close out 2023 and move into what I am sure will be an amazing 2024.

The Importance of End of Year Reflection

As the year draws to a close, taking a moment for self reflection becomes a valuable and contemplative exercise. It's a chance to pause, look back, and acknowledge the journey you've travelled over the past twelve months. Self reflection provides a unique opportunity to not only celebrate your achievements and growth but also to learn from your challenges and setbacks. It's a moment to consider what you've learned about yourself, what you've accomplished, and where you wish to steer your course in the coming year. This introspective practice is a powerful step in personal growth and self improvement, helping you set meaningful goals, re-evaluate priorities, and embark on the path ahead with greater clarity and purpose. So, as you bid farewell to the year behind you, make sure you take a moment to reflect, appreciate, and envision a brighter, more purposeful future.

But How: What does End of Year Reflection Look Like?

End of year self reflection is a thoughtful and rewarding process that can help you gain valuable insights and set meaningful intentions for the year ahead. There is no right way to do it so if these methods don’t work for you then try a different way that resonates better.

To get started, find a quiet and comfortable space where you won't be interrupted. Begin by reviewing the year that was, considering both your accomplishments and challenges. Reflect on personal and professional achievements, new experiences, and the lessons you've learned along the way. Consider what you're grateful for and the people who've had a positive impact on your life. Then, have a think about areas that you would prefer to experience differently next time or that taught you a valuable lesson. It is always easier for us to focus on the negatives and what we are disappointed about so for every challenge or area of improvement that comes up from 2023, see if you can find the same number of positives or achievements no matter how small or silly you think they may have been at the time. Remember, self-reflection is a personal journey, and there's no right or wrong way to do it. The key is to take the time to assess your experiences, nurture your personal growth, and use these insights to guide your path in the year ahead.

Journaling your End of Year Reflection

Journaling is a powerful tool for end of year reflection, offering a structured and therapeutic way to capture your thoughts, experiences, and aspirations. As you put pen to paper, you create a space for introspection, allowing your thoughts to flow freely. Writing about your year in a journal (or on any scrap of paper) not only helps you gain clarity about your past but also allows you to identify potential areas for improvement in the future. Document your accomplishments, challenges, and the lessons learned, creating a record of your growth and self development. The act of journaling helps to turn self reflection into a tangible and ongoing journey, one where you can revisit your past, keep your present in focus, and shape your future with intention.

I had the amazing opportunity to meet Kristina Karlsson, the Founder of Kikki K and The Dream Life Store a couple of months ago. After reading her book, Your Dream Life Starts Here, and hearing her story about how she goes after her dreams even when there are significant setbacks, I have realised we have a lot in common and my dreams are extensive. I appreciate how Kristina is focused on helping others on a global scale and would love to be able to have such a significant impact on the world. One of my main takeaways from listening to Kristina’s story is that we have a similar dislike for the word ‘No’. I have found that people’s usual response to anything out of the norm, anything that seems in the ‘too hard’ basket automatically receives a response that it can’t be done which drives me crazy. Kristina has a saying both from her days as the head of Kikki K and now in her amazing new business.

‘Don’t say no, say how’.

Kristina’s new venture The Dream Life Store focuses on reflection and journaling if you want to find out more.

The Transformative Power of Gratitude in Reflection

As we approach the end of another year, amidst the hustle and bustle of setting goals and resolutions, it's equally important to pause and practice gratitude. End of year reflection is not just about assessing achievements and planning for the future; it's also about recognising the blessings we've received and the lessons we've learned. Gratitude is a profound and transformative force that can infuse your self-reflection with a sense of contentment and fulfilment.

Begin your end of year reflection by making a list of the people, experiences, and moments that you're grateful for. Consider the challenges you've faced and the strength they've imparted. Acknowledge the small victories and milestones that often go unnoticed in the daily rush. By doing so, you'll gain a fresh perspective on your year, recognising the beauty in the ordinary and the extraordinary alike. My amazing partner has a real silver lining way of looking at the world and whenever I feel that I have made a mistake or could have chosen a different path he always asks me what I learned along the way. Compared to the multiple university degrees I have paid for over the years some of these ‘mistakes’ have taught me more than I often realise at the time.

Gratitude not only provides a sense of closure and peace but also fuels your goals for the upcoming year. It offers a foundation of positivity and resilience from which you can draw strength when you face difficulties or setbacks. By integrating gratitude into your end of year reflection, you create a sense of balance and fulfilment that empowers you to step into the future with a grateful heart and a determined spirit. It's a reminder that amid the aspirations and resolutions, the gratitude for what you already have is a powerful source of joy and strength on your journey.

Manifesting your next Achievement

Clare Wood is another amazing woman that I had the opportunity to meet this year and I absolutely love her lessons on improving your money mindset. Clare focuses on manifesting her ideal life and, similar to Kristina, sets huge goals for herself and her family. Now, stick with me even if you rolled your eyes at the word manifesting as Clare has a very simple framework for manifesting what you want that even the most sceptical would find practical. Clare teaches that in order to achieve what you want there are 3 steps:

Belief - you have to work on your mindset to believe you deserve the change you are looking for whether that be money, love, health, confidence or whatever your goal is. Many of us have been socialised to play small and to believe we don’t deserve what we want. In order to break through those mental barriers you need to find out what they are and where they came from. Otherwise you will self sabotage when you do achieve what you want. This could be done through journaling, listening to podcasts or working with a coach or therapist,

Action - for most of us, manifesting seems to be about sitting on the lounge and wishing the change to come true, however, once you believe you deserve the change, you need to act. If you want more money, can you sell some of your additional items around the house, if you want love have you joined a dating app, if you want health have you added a 20 minute walk to your morning routine. If you want to win the lotto, you need to actually buy the lotto ticket in the first place. As they say, you need to be in it to win it. Or in other words to get the results you need to take action.

Outcome - you have to be open and patient for the outcome. It won’t happen immediately, but you will be amazed at how things just start to fall into your lap that never would have if you were still sitting on the lounge wishing for it to happen.

Keep these in the back of your mind as we shift from reflection to gaol setting.

Goal Setting for 2024

Who sets New Year’s Resolutions every year to go to the gym more, to write that novel they always wanted to or to finally travel to that one place on your bucket list. Yet after the NYE motivation, and sometimes hangover wear off, we find ourselves back to our same old everyday life. For over a decade now my resolution has always been the same, to be healthy and happy! While this is my resolution it doesn’t mean I don’t set goals to work towards; but by removing them from the hype of a New Year’s resolution I am less likely to forget them along with the haze of the previous year.

As we stand on the threshold of a new year, setting goals for 2024 offers a profound opportunity to chart the course of our future. It's a chance to define our aspirations, both big and small, and establish a roadmap to achieve them. The process of goal setting allows us to clarify our priorities, identify areas for personal and professional growth, and channel our energy towards meaningful objectives. Whether it's pursuing a career milestone, nurturing personal relationships, embracing a healthier lifestyle, or taking on new challenges, setting clear and realistic goals provides a framework for purposeful living. The journey towards these goals may be marked by hard work and perseverance, but the satisfaction of progress and accomplishment makes the effort worthwhile. Guided by the goals we set, let’s make 2024 a year of purpose, growth, and fulfilment.

Now that we have reflected and are feeling positive about all we achieved and learned in 2023, let’s set some realistic, simple goals that stretch us slightly out of our comfort zone. To do that let’s focus on 5 areas:

1. Personal Development
2. Family
3. Health
4. Career/Wealth
5. Fun

You have probably heard of SMART goal setting, and you could use that process to set these goals but in order to make it as easy as possible think about something that you have always wanted to do or achieve that is one or two steps out of your comfort zone. If you are scared of heights but want to work on that, let’s not add skydiving to the personal or fun goal but maybe going to a rooftop bar or climbing a local lighthouse might be something you can add. These don’t have to be ground breaking goals that are unrealistic but instead something that you can look back on in 12 months’ time and think I am proud or pleased I achieved this. The one thing to focus on when setting your goals is to be realistic. For example, what can you afford and what can be done in a year. To help, think through the mindset change and actions you may need to take to reach these goals and watch what amazing things you start to manifest for yourself.

You deserve great things.

Go make yourself a cup of tea, sit down with your journal or just your thoughts and think through all the achievements and lessons learnt from 2023 and start to shape the next 12 months into another amazing learning experience.