Throughout history, the dawning of a new year has always been synonymous with beginnings. In fact, the month of January was named after the Roman god Janus. Depicted with two faces, one facing forward and the other backward, Janus was the god of gates and doors, often associated with transitions, beginnings and the spaces in between life and death, the changing of seasons, and more. It’s only fitting he serves as the namesake for the first month of the year – a time spent in reflection as we review our successes and shortcomings and resolve to improve. 

In modernity, the phrase “new year, new me!” has become a staple quip on social media and in casual conversation. It serves as a reminder that it’s never too late to start again, try something new or make a change. However, another saying also comes to mind: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” What if, instead of focusing on what we did wrong, we expounded upon what we did right? 

1. Make a list of highlights from the past year. What did you accomplish? What would you like to do better? 
2. Evaluate your problem-solving skills. Was there a project or presentation that went well? How did you overcome obstacles or adversity?
3. Create a “key to success.” What steps did you take to succeed? How can you replicate that in the future?

While the weeks leading up to a new year can leave you feeling in limbo, it’s the perfect opportunity to reminisce, reflect and react. Give yourself credit where credit is due! You deserve your flowers for the year’s achievements and grace for your mistakes. If your mistakes stand out, whether from a mishandled crisis, internal miscommunication or a missed media opportunity, use your notes to determine your next steps if (or when) it happens again. Need help developing foundational documents to get the ball rolling? We’d love to help!