Reflection and planning

I enjoy doing some reflection and planning when I reach a yearly milestone. The process helps me to identify how far I’ve come and make adjustments to those things that are no longer working. It also encourages me to be grateful – for where I am, what I’ve achieved and what I can learn from the things that haven’t gone so well. It’s maybe because I take this time to reflect that I’m no longer afraid of failure, because it always precedes growth. In fact, throughout my life, I’ve embraced some wonderful opportunities when things haven’t gone to plan!

‘Failure is not the opposite of success: it’s part of success.’ – Arianna Huffington

Journaling prompts

At the beginning of the year, I started journaling. I was inspired to start this practice while reading Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way. As an art student, I wrote a diary, but the habit slowly dwindled when I graduated and moved to London – too little time and too many wonderful distractions! I’ve enjoyed journaling again and connecting with my thoughts and feelings in this way. I’ve also valued the daily ritual of getting my ideas, plans, intentions and goals down on paper. The regular reflection and planning has given me an enormous amount of insight and clarity, both in my life and work.

As we approach the mid-year point, I always take a little time to think about where I am and where I’m heading. This year I’m considering the following questions as I reflect on the time that has passed. If you’d like to explore where you are in your life and work right now, please feel free to use these journaling prompts. They’re gentle questions to help you explore and celebrate the months that have passed. I’ve also noted a few questions to help you plan what you’d like from the months ahead. We all experience life differently, so please feel free to use any of the prompts that resonate with you.

Reflection and planning questions

1. Gratitude

What worked well and felt good?
What were you grateful for?
What brought you happiness, contentment and joy?

2. Growth

What did you learn?
What did you discover about yourself?
Has anything surprised you?

3. Accomplishments

What did you accomplish?
What are you most proud of?
If you set any goals, did you reach them? And did you celebrate?

4. Challenges

What wasn’t working or feeling good?
Was there anything missing?
Was there anything draining you of your energy, motivation and time?

5. Plans

What would you like the second half of the year to look and feel like?
How do you want to be spending your days, weeks and months?
What do you want more of and what do you want less of?
Do you have an overarching ambition, vision or goal?

Finding fulfilment and joy – whatever that means for you

I hope the questions help you to gain some insight and clarity while enabling you to consider what you’d like moving forward. When making plans and setting goals and intentions, remember that it’s okay to change your mind and that you can reset, refocus and restart as often as you need to. For the most part, there are no rules so please give yourself permission to go at your own pace and live the life you want to live.

Further reading

Practical tips to help you reach your goals
Bring your dreams and goals to life with a vision board
Identify your passions and do more of what you love

Thank you, as always, for stopping by. I hope you have a wonderful day. Until next time, I’ll see you over on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.