2023-12-01

The end of the year is often a time of accounting, when people look back and consider their successes and failures. Often, people are harder on themselves than they need to be. As a result, they waste valuable time at the end of the year. Instead of getting energized by the time left and taking steps towards success, they wallow in disappointment at their failure. 

年末往往是一个反思的时刻，人们会回顾过去，思索自己的得失。往往，人们对自己的要求比实际需要的还要严格。结果，他们在年终浪费了珍贵的时光。他们没有利用剩余的时间激发动力，向成功迈进，反而沉湎于对失败的失望之中。

But just because you haven't achieved a goal yet doesn't mean you've failed permanently. Maybe the last 11 months haven't gone the way you'd hoped, but there's no need to despair, and there's certainly no need to give up. There's still a whole month left - that's 31 full days to accomplish important goals and close out the old year on a high note. 

Here are tips on how to get every bit out of the next 31 days: 

1. Conduct a Review 

It's likely you had goals you wanted to achieve going into 2023. What were they? Be honest about what you didn't achieve, and carefully examine why. Think about what it would take to achieve some or part of that goal between now and the end of the year. Is any of it salvageable? Be honest with yourself - remember you don't have to tell anyone your analysis! 

2. Create a Realistic Action Plan 

For the old and new goals you've identified that are fully or partially achievable, consider the next steps. What are small, quantifiable, achievable goals you believe you can accomplish in the next 7 days? For each goal, identify 4 steps - one for each week between now and the new year - that you believe are reasonable. Even if that fourth step doesn't complete the goal, it still means you've made real headway. It will end the year on a proud note, and generate energy you can take into 2024. 

3. Check In 

Every week, review the progress you've made on each action step towards your month-long goals. Did you complete the step successfully? Even if you miss a goal, don't write off the whole thing. Adjust your action plan for the time you have left, and update the step to make it achievable. This is a process, and you're still making progress! 

4. Celebrate 

The last 12 months weren't a total failure - you're still here, still kicking, still ready to take on a new year. Celebrate what you achieved, pour one out for what you didn't, and gather your family and friends close. It wouldn't mean anything without them. Celebrate your relationships and the little daily blessings you receive.