Reviewing 2014 + Planning 2015

As much as I love Christmas and the month of December, I look forward to the fresh start and that clean slate feeling that January brings. It is the perfect month to take time to reflect and review the past year and a chance to plan and dream for the new year. Aside from wanting to clean and organize every little corner of my house, I am taking time this month to review and plan for my business as well. 2014 was an amazing year of growth for Leaving A Mark Photography and I can't believe that my business will be turning TWO at the end of the month. I have so many plans and dreams for 2015!! I'm using the lists below as a starting point to help focus my thoughts. I love that this set of questions can work for personal planning or business planning (or both). I found these lists a couple of years ago and promptly printed them out, but did not save the information for where I found them. If anyone knows the author of these questions, please let me know as I would love to give them credit. Both of these are printed and on my desk with a few initial thoughts already recorded. If you need a jump start in your own planning and preparations for the coming year, I encourage you to print these out and take the time to get your ideas down on paper. Happy 2015!!

REVIEW: Completing & Remembering 2014

  • What was your biggest triumph in 2014?

  • What was he smartest decision you made in 2014?

  • What is one word or phrase that best describes your 2014 experience?

  • What was the greatest lesson you learned this year?

  • What was the most loving service you provided this year?

  • What is your biggest piece of unfinished business in 2014?

  • What are you most happy about completing in 2014?

  • Who were the three people that had the greatest impact on your life this year?

  • What was your biggest risk?

  • What was the biggest surprise in 2014?

  • What important relationships improved most in 2014?

  • What relationship would you have liked to grow stronger in 2014?

  • What compliment would you have liked to receive in 2014?

  • What compliment did you receive in 2014 that meant the most to you?

  • What compliment do you wish you would have liked given in 2014?

  • What were some of the influential books you read in 2014?

  • What were you passionate about in 2014? (Take time to think about this one. What does the evidence point to?)

  • What else do you need to do or say to be complete with 2014? (It’s not too late. Finish well!!)


PLAN: Creating Your 2015

  • What would you like to be your biggest triumph in 2015?

  • What advice would you like to give yourself in 2015?

  • What major effort will improve your financial results in 2015?

  • What would you be most happy about completing in 2015?

  • What major indulgence would you like to experience in 2015?

  • What would you most like to change about yourself in 2015?

  • What are you looking forward to learning in 2015?

  • What do you think your biggest risk will be this year?

  • What area of your work are you most committed to changing and improving this year?

  • What is one undeveloped talent that you are willing to explore this year?

  • Who would you like to get to know better in 2015?

  • What brings you the most joy and how are you going to have more of that in 2015?

  • What one word or phrase would you like to have as your theme this year?

  • What gifts do you want to cultivate and share with others in 2015?

  • Who or what, other than yourself, are you most committed to loving and serving in 2015?

  • What are you passionate about for 2015? (Remember to look for evidence throughout the year)

And since all blog posts must have at least one photo, I've included a few of my favorite "January" corners in our house. It always seems so empty when the holiday decorations come down, but I am having fun mixing up my old decor with a few new item…

And since all blog posts must have at least one photo, I've included a few of my favorite "January" corners in our house. It always seems so empty when the holiday decorations come down, but I am having fun mixing up my old decor with a few new items I received for Christmas. Really loving the fresh and neutral colors!!