Reflecting on the Past and Looking Forward: A Review of My Last Day of the Year

The last day of the year is a time for many people to celebrate and look forward to the following year's possibilities. But for me, it's always been a day for reflection and review. This year, I wanted to take that reflection a step further by setting aside some time to really delve into my thoughts and emotions. I wanted to take stock of where I am, where I've been, and where I'm going. It was a chance to be honest with myself and consider what I truly wanted out of life.

On the last day of the year, my wife was hard at work preparing for our family's New Year's Eve gala dinner. She had been busy preparing for the past three days, and I knew she had everything under control. Still, I wanted to ensure she had everything she needed, so I offered to help with any tasks or provide supplies. After offering my assistance, I retreated to my mancave, determined to disconnect from the outside world and connect with myself.

On 5th June 2015, I woke up from life’s “coma” and realized that my life was out of balance. I was working long hours, traveling constantly, and always overbooked. So, I made the decision to prioritize balance and fulfillment in my life. I started by creating a visual dashboard to help me keep track of all the areas of my life that affect its quality. That dashboard has been the foundation of everything I've done since then, from where I live and the business I run to my relationships, my parenting style, my health, and my relationship with the divine.

Over the years, my tactics and tools for achieving balance and fulfillment have evolved, but the principle has remained the same: to live a balanced, fulfilling life with my family. I've learned to design the quality of life I want, choose a lifestyle that aligns with my values, decide how I want to retire, and build income sources that support these principles. It's been a journey of self-discovery and growth, and I've come a long way since that fateful day in June 2015.

Sitting in my mancave on the last day of the year, I realized that one of the keys to my success has been building routines that help me achieve my goals. It's not about working hard for short periods to reach a particular achievement but about consistently putting in the effort day after day to make progress. That's what has helped me live a balanced, fulfilling life, and it's what I want to continue focusing on in the coming year. As I reflected on the past seven years and all I've accomplished, I couldn't help but feel proud of how far I've come and excited for what the future holds.

One of the keys to my success has been using my unique analytics, pattern recognition, and visual design skills to develop personal tools that guide me and keep me on track. These tools have been instrumental in helping me live by the principles I've chosen for me and achieve balance and fulfillment in my life. Whether it's a dashboard to track my progress, a calendar to plan my days, or a set of goals to work towards, these tools have been a constant source of support and guidance as I've navigated the ups and downs of the past seven years.

Here are some of the key tools that have helped me stay focused and on track:

1. The Dashboard: This is a visual, colorful representation of where I'm heading and how far I've come. It helps me see the big picture and keep track of my progress across all areas of my life.
2. The Compass: This multi-dimensional diagram helps me stay on track and true to my values and goals. It reminds me constantly where I'm headed and what's most important to me.
3. The Journal: This is a place where I can keep my thoughts, ideas, emotions, prayers, intentions, wishes, and reflections. It's a place to process my experiences and record my journey. It's also a source of inspiration and motivation when I need it.

Reading my journal on the last day of the year has become a tradition, and this year's edition reached a whopping 572 pages. The journal is one of my best-kept secrets, and only a few very close people have ever seen a page or two - my business partner, a friend, a mentee, and my dear wife. It's a place where I can be sincere and vulnerable and document my journey in all its ups and downs. Reading through its pages on the last day of the year helps me reflect on the past and look forward to the future.

My journal is divided into several sections to help me focus my thoughts and capture the different facets of my journey. The sections include:

1. Gratitude: This is where I write down the things I'm grateful for each day. It helps me focus on the positive aspects of my life and cultivate gratitude.
2. Intentions: This is where I set my intentions for the day or the week, outlining the goals and tasks I want to accomplish. It helps me stay focused and motivated.
3. Pondering: This is a place where I can brainstorm and explore new ideas. It's a place to let my mind wander and see where it takes me.
4. Prayers: This is where I can express my hopes and concerns to the divine. It's a source of comfort and guidance for me.
5. Contemplate: This is where I can reflect on my experiences and insights. It's a time for self-reflection and introspection.
6. Reflections: This is where I can look back on my journey and document my growth and learning. It's a way to celebrate my accomplishments and learn from my mistakes.
7. Being Deliberate: This is where I can plan and strategize for the future. It's a way to set long-term goals and think about the steps I need to take to achieve them.

Going through my journal, I was overwhelmed with emotions. There were moments of joy and excitement as I remembered all the highlights of the year, and there were moments of sadness and anger as I revisited some of the challenges and setbacks I faced. It was a whole emotional spectrum and reminded me of how much I've grown and far I've come. It also gave me a glimpse into the most important things to me and what I want to focus on in the coming year.

One thing that stood out to me as I read through my journal was the sheer volume of things I was grateful for. Out of the 572 pages, a total of 170 pages were devoted to expressing gratitude for the people, experiences, and opportunities in my life. It was a powerful reminder of the abundance surrounding me and the many blessings I have to be thankful for. It also inspired me to continue cultivating an attitude of gratitude and to look for ways to express my appreciation to the people who have made a positive impact on my life.

Another interesting thing I noticed as I read through my journal was the number of intentions I had written down. A full 33 pages were devoted to outlining my goals and tasks for the year, and it was fascinating to see how many of them I had accomplished and which ones I had yet to tackle. It gave me a sense of accomplishment and helped me identify areas where I still have work to do. It's a powerful reminder of the importance of setting clear intentions and staying focused on what's most important.

Reading through the pages of prayers in my journal was a particularly moving experience. A full 25 pages were devoted to expressing my hopes and concerns to the divine, and it was a reminder of how much I rely on that source of strength and guidance. It was also a reminder of the many blessings and answered prayers I've received throughout the year. It's a powerful reminder of the role that faith and spirituality play in my life and how important it is to take time to connect with a higher power.

I read through my journal and reflected on my progress over the past year, wondering: How was my 2022? Did my practice of using personal tools and setting clear intentions improve the quality of my life and the lives of my loved ones? Or was it just another passing year, full of ups and downs but ultimately indistinguishable from any other?

The answer, I realized, was a resounding yes. My use of personal tools and my commitment to living by my principles profoundly impacted my life and the lives of those around me. It helped me navigate the challenges and setbacks that inevitably come with any year, and it helped me stay focused on what's most important. It was a year of growth and learning, and I'm grateful for everything it taught me.

I had several insights I had never shared with anyone before - not even privately with close friends or family. I felt ready to share them now, and I hoped that by sharing these thoughts publicly, they could help someone else on their journey.

One of the most striking things I discovered as I read through my journal was the sheer number of nice things that happened to me over the past year. I counted a total of 1360 instances of gratitude, from big blessings to small moments of joy. It was a powerful reminder of the abundance surrounding me and the many things I have to be thankful for. It also inspired me to continue cultivating an attitude of gratitude and to look for ways to express my appreciation to the people who have made a positive impact on my life.

Another thing I tracked in my journal this year was my wishes and goals. Out of the 104 wishes I made throughout the year, 51 came true exactly as I had hoped, 31 came true in some form, and 22 are still in progress or have yet to come to fruition. It was fascinating to see what did and didn't come to pass. It helped me reflect on the power of intention and the role that visualization and manifestation can play in achieving our goals. It was also a reminder that not every wish will come true exactly as we hope and that sometimes we have to be flexible and open to different outcomes. Or it is a sign to dig deeper.

I looked at the 22 wishes that didn't come true this year, I realized that, in many cases, I still needed to do more to make them happen. Some of them were wishes I wasn't ready for, and I needed to put in the effort to prepare. Others were wishes I had written down and then totally forgotten about. It was a powerful reminder of the importance of taking action and being proactive in achieving our goals. It's not enough to write down our wishes and hope for the best - we have to take steps to make them happen. And if we're not ready for a particular desire, we must work on getting ready before we can expect it to come true.

One of the things I tracked in my journal this year was my intentions - the goals and tasks I set for myself on a daily or weekly basis. Out of the 84 intentions I set throughout the year, a total of 44 were fulfilled. This was a powerful reminder of the importance of setting clear, achievable goals and staying focused on what's most important. It also reminded me of the value of tracking my progress and celebrating my accomplishments. Whether a small task or a big goal, it's essential to take the time to acknowledge and celebrate the things we achieve.

Many positive experiences and achievements I had over the year. A total of 1360 nice things happened to me, 82 of my 104 wishes became a reality, and 44 of my 84 intentions were fulfilled. It was a year full of growth and learning, and I'm grateful for everything it taught me. Whether it was big blessings or small moments of joy, I am thankful for all the good that came my way.

One of the things that set my approach to personal growth and development apart is the disciplined way I use my tools to guide my life. I have developed a series of unique tools, including a dashboard, a compass, and a journal, that help me stay on track and live by the principles I've chosen for myself. These tools are an integral part of my daily routine, and I use them consistently to measure my progress and make adjustments as needed. They help me stay focused, stay motivated, and stay true to my values, and they have been a critical factor in my success.

I follow a set of routines and rituals that help me stay on track and focus on my goals. For example, the first week of the year is dedicated to strategizing and setting my intentions for the year. The first day of each month is a time for reflection, alignment with my strategy, and planning for the month ahead. The first day of each week is a time to check in, ensure I'm on course and set tactics for the week. And the first 30 minutes of each day are a time for me to remind myself of what I'm doing and why and to get things done. These routines help me stay focused and stay true to my values, and they have been a key factor in my success.

Sitting in my mancave, lost in thought and reviewing the past year, the only things that managed to pull me out of my reflection were my beautiful wife's requests for help opening jars and her occasional visits bearing food for me. But even these minor interruptions couldn't deter me from my task of deep reflection and contemplation.

As the evening drew near, I emerged from my mancave and went to the shower. I freshened up and donned my party attire, eager to join my family for the gala dinner my wife had worked so hard to prepare. As I took my seat at the table surrounded by loved ones, I felt grateful for the time I had spent in solitude earlier in the day. It allowed me to reflect on the past year and set intentions for the future, and I was ready to embrace the new year with renewed energy and purpose. The gala dinner was the perfect way to celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of another, surrounded by the people I care about most.