- As we move into the new year, it's time to take stock
- That's why it's important to be able to ask yourself these ten questions
- This will help you make significant progress
“What reasons do you have to be grateful for the past year? » Although this question may seem broad or even unimportant, it is essential to your personal development. Even if your year was difficult, you might be tempted to forget about it once the end-of-year celebrations are over. However, analyzing and understanding it will have undeniable benefits.
Identify what you can be grateful for
Martin Seligman, a psychology researcher and pioneer of Positive psychology. He regularly emphasizes that those who cultivate gratitude are happier. Many studies share this idea. For example, a study conducted by Joel Wong in 2018 divided 293 participants, all of whom were undergoing therapy, into three different groups: a control group, a group promoting writing gratitude to others, and a group focusing on the Writing focused on emotions. Approximately 4 and 12 weeks after the writing sessions ended, participants who practiced gratitude reported a “significantly better mental health » than those of the other groups.
Development over the years: compare and evaluate
Before the new year begins, it is important to ask yourself the right questions. To express gratitude, you must first be clear about what you are grateful for in the past year. If the past few months have been characterized by difficult moments rather than successes, it can be difficult to draw positives from them. For this reason, therapist Susanne Wolf has created a list of ten questions to take stock of. Prepare your pens and papers:
- What aspects of your life have improved compared to last year?
- What decisions have you made this year that make you feel the most grateful?
- What lessons have you learned this year?
- What moments have brought you happiness, peace or joy?
- What health-related things are you grateful for this year?
- Which book, film or podcast had a significant impact on your year?
- What kindness has someone shown you this year?
- Which friend or family member has been a source of gratitude to you this year?
- What did you experience last year that you take for granted today?
- What person or situation inspired you this year?
Take time to think Answering these questions can help you better assess and understand your journey over the past year.
Project yourself into the future
If you have done this exercise before, Compare your answers and reflections with previous years to monitor your progress. This gives you an overall overview of your trip and the path you have taken. Additionally, you can summarize your work in a few sentences: inspiring mantras, new goals or renewed values. To start the new year successfully, it is important to close last year's book and have all the chances on your side. As you wish !