7 out-of-the-box questions to ask yourself before 2025

ONE IDEA FOR YOU TO THINK ABOUT 

We’re well into December, the perfect time to pause and reflect on 2024.

While I’m a big fan of doing mini-reflections every month, the end of the year is a special chance to look back and think about:

↳ The growth you’ve experienced.
↳ The challenges you’ve overcome.
↳ The goals you want to pursue next year.

I didn’t always prioritize self-reflection until I learned just how powerful it can be from my coach, Jay Shetty.

Self-reflection helps you see what’s working, what’s not, and how to step into the new year with clarity and confidence.

Here are 7 out-of-the-box self-reflection questions to guide you. You can also find these questions in this worksheet.

SEVEN QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF

1. What’s one thing I did this year that scared me, and what did I learn from it?
↳ Growth happens outside your comfort zone.
↳ Think about the risks you took and how they shaped you.

2. What’s a skill I admired in others this year, and how can I develop it?

↳ Instead of comparing yourself to others, use them as inspiration.
↳ Pick one skill (that you were jealous of in someone else) to focus on in 2025 and create a plan to build it.

3. What’s one thing I stopped doing this year that made me happier or more productive?
↳ Sometimes growth is about letting go.
↳ Reflect on what you stopped doing and how it impacted your energy.

4. If someone else wrote my self-evaluation, what would they say about me?
↳ Consider how others perceive your work and impact.
↳ Reflect on strengths you might overlook but others value.

5. What’s a “failure” that turned into an opportunity?
↳ Failures lead to growth and new possibilities.
↳ Reframe your biggest setback and ask yourself, “What did this teach me?”

6. What’s a conversation I had this year that changed the way I think?
↳ Reflect on how a meaningful (positive or negative) conversation influenced your mindset in a new way.
↳ How can you carry that insight forward?

7. What’s one thing I wish I prioritized more this year?
↳ Take inventory of your priorities vs. where you spent your time. Was there a gap?
↳ Identify what you want to prioritize in 2025.

ONE EXERCISE FOR YOU TO TRY THIS WEEK

Carve out 30 minutes to answer these questions. Putting time and energy into reflecting now will set you up for success in the coming months.

Share this exercise or email with a friend, coworker, or family member. Encourage them to reflect as well!