Looking Back to Move Forward: A Reflective Guide to Growth and Transformation

As the year winds down, I always find myself in reflection mode. Not just a quick glance at what went well and what didn’t, but a deep, honest, sometimes uncomfortable evaluation of the patterns, wins, challenges, and growth I’ve experienced. This year has been one of incredible milestones—both personal and professional—especially with the expansion of my coaching certification program and the opportunities that came with it.

On the surface, this year was filled with big wins: speaking at conferences and retreats, hosting my own successful and transformative retreat, building out new offers, and growing my team with multiple new hires to support the business’s evolution. These were all dreams I once thought were far off in the future, and now, they’re my reality.

But reflection isn’t just about celebrating wins—it’s about looking at the lessons, the growth, and even the moments that tested you. This year, amidst all the opportunities, I also had to confront old patterns and habits that no longer serve me.

My Year in Reflection

Let me start with the wins because this year deserves a moment of celebration.

• Speaking Opportunities: I was honored to speak at conferences and retreats this year, sharing my voice and my message with audiences I once only dreamed of reaching. Standing in front of a room full of people, knowing that my story and strategies could inspire them, was a surreal and deeply fulfilling experience.
• Hosting My Own Retreat: Hosting this years retreat was one of the most beautiful experiences of my life. To see a room full of people come together, connect, and transform over a few days was nothing short of magical. The energy, the breakthroughs, the relationships built—it was everything I hoped for and more.
• Building New Offers: This year, I expanded my business with new offers that allowed me to serve my audience in different ways. Each offer was crafted with intention, reflecting my growth and the needs of those I work with.
• Growing My Team: One of the biggest milestones was hiring multiple people to support the growth of my business. For years, I tried to do it all on my own, believing that asking for help was a sign of weakness. This year, I let go of that belief and allowed myself to build a team of incredible people who are just as passionate about this work as I am.

These wins weren’t just achievements to check off a list—they were proof of what’s possible when you do the deep inner work to get out of your own way.

The Lessons Beneath the Wins

But here’s the thing: even in the midst of success, old patterns can still creep in. This year showed me that just because you’ve done the work doesn’t mean you’re “done.”

One of the biggest lessons I learned was recognizing where I was still defaulting to outdated systems and habits. It wasn’t about fear of what others thought—those fears have long since faded. Instead, I realized I was often choosing the easy way out.

Why? Because for years, I operated under the belief that I wasn’t smart enough.

Even though I no longer consciously believe that, the lingering default actions—the habits born from that belief—were still there. I caught myself sticking to familiar systems, avoiding risks that required deeper thinking or creativity, and falling back into old routines. Not because I doubted my abilities, but because it was comfortable.

This is why reflection is so important. It’s not just about what you achieved—it’s about what you learned about yourself along the way.

A Non-Conventional Approach to Reflection

Most year-end reflections focus on the obvious:

• What goals did you hit?
• What goals did you miss?
• What wins can you celebrate?

These questions are important, but they only scratch the surface. If you want to truly grow, you have to dig deeper. You have to look at the patterns, the behaviors, and the stories that played out beneath the surface.

Here’s how to reflect on your year in a way that’s honest, transformative, and actionable.

1. Start with Patterns

Reflection isn’t just about what happened—it’s about why it happened. Look for patterns in your behavior, emotions, and actions.

Ask yourself:

• What situations or challenges kept repeating themselves this year?
• How did I respond, and why?
• Were there moments where I defaulted to old habits or ways of thinking?

For me, I noticed a pattern of sticking to what felt safe in certain areas of my business. While this wasn’t necessarily “bad,” it wasn’t the most growth-oriented choice. Recognizing this pattern has given me clarity on where I need to stretch myself in the year ahead.

2. Celebrate Growth

Growth isn’t just about achieving goals—it’s about who you became along the way. Take time to acknowledge the internal shifts you’ve made.

Ask yourself:

• What am I most proud of this year?
• How have I grown emotionally, mentally, or spiritually?
• What beliefs or fears have I outgrown?

For me, stepping into my role as a leader—hosting retreats, building a team, and speaking on stages—was a massive point of growth. Even in moments of uncertainty, I stayed committed to the vision. That’s a version of me I want to carry into next year.

3. Own the Challenges

Challenges aren’t failures—they’re where the biggest lessons live. Instead of avoiding them, dive in.

Ask yourself:

• What was the hardest part of this year, and why?
• What did I learn from it?
• How did I grow because of it?

One of my challenges this year was navigating the growing pains of scaling my business. Hiring a team, balancing new offers, and managing the emotional weight of leadership wasn’t always easy. But through those challenges, I learned the importance of boundaries, delegation, and trusting others to support the vision.

4. Examine What’s Still Showing Up

Sometimes, old patterns and habits show up even after we think we’ve outgrown them. This doesn’t mean you’ve failed—it means there’s still work to do.

Ask yourself:

• What patterns, beliefs, or behaviors are still lingering?
• Where am I holding myself back?
• What’s one small shift I can make to start addressing this?

For me, noticing the default action of sticking to what felt “safe” was a wake-up call. It reminded me that the work of self-growth is never truly done.

5. Connect the Dots

Reflection isn’t just about looking back—it’s about connecting the dots to see how your past year will inform your next one.

Ask yourself:

• How have this year’s lessons prepared me for what’s next?
• What strengths can I carry forward into next year?
• What’s one area where I want to challenge myself to grow?

For me, the lesson is clear: I need to continue leaning into discomfort and challenging myself to innovate. That’s the energy I’m bringing into the next year.

Prompts for Your Reflection

To help you reflect on your year in a deeper, more meaningful way, here are some prompts to guide your process:

1. Patterns and Behaviors
• What patterns kept showing up this year?
• How did I respond to challenges?
• Were there any default habits or behaviors that no longer serve me?
2. Wins and Growth
• What am I most proud of this year?
• What internal shifts or transformations did I experience?
• What opportunities did I create or seize?
3. Challenges and Lessons
• What was the most difficult part of this year?
• What did I learn from those challenges?
• How did I grow because of them?
4. Carrying Forward
• What strengths or wins do I want to carry into next year?
• What’s one area I want to focus on growing or improving?
• What lessons from this year can guide my decisions in the year ahead?

Applying Your Reflections to the Next Year

Reflection is powerful, but it’s only as valuable as what you do with it. Once you’ve identified your patterns, wins, and challenges, think about how you can apply those lessons moving forward.

Here’s how to use your reflections to shape your next year:

1. Set Intentions, Not Just Goals
   Instead of focusing solely on outcomes, set intentions for how you want to show up. For example:

• I intend to approach challenges with curiosity and resilience.
• I intend to lead with authenticity and trust.

1. Create a Plan for Growth
   Based on what you learned this year, identify one or two areas where you want to grow. Make a plan for how you’ll work on these areas—whether that’s through coaching, courses, or daily habits.
2. Track Your Progress
   Reflection isn’t just for the end of the year. Make it a regular practice. Schedule time each month to check in on your patterns, wins, and challenges. This keeps you aligned and aware.

The Beauty of Reflection

Here’s the thing about reflection: it’s not about perfection. It’s about honesty. It’s about seeing yourself clearly—your strengths, your struggles, and everything in between.

This past year has taught me so much about who I am and where I want to go. And as I step into the next year, I’m taking those lessons with me—not as baggage, but as tools for growth.

My hope for you is that you’ll do the same. That you’ll take the time to reflect deeply, to honor your wins, to own your challenges, and to carry forward the lessons that matter most.

Because when you approach reflection with honesty and intention, it becomes a powerful catalyst for growth—and that’s where real transformation begins.