What are you harvesting for 2021?
“We do not learn from experience… we learn from reflecting on experience.” ― John Dewey.
The last days of each year are a sort of No Man’s land; one year is getting to its end while the new one is waiting to begin. This space in-between past and future, memories and dreams, can be incredibly creative and fruitful.
That’s why it can be a unique opportunity to slow down, breathe, reflect and imagine.
We reflect on the past and what we experienced in the last twelve months, to thank, celebrate and learn. And we muse about the future, about what we want to experience in the next 12 months. These below are the questions we used for our own process.
If you too like to take some time to pause, reflect and relaunch your journey with renewed energy, feel free to use these questions in any way works better for you.
For personal reflections
Find a quiet spot, where you can be present to yourself and free from any distractions, maybe begin with a breathing exercise to centre yourself, so the answers will come from your heart and guts and not only from your mind. You can answer the questions one by one or read them all and allow the thoughts to flow freely. If you feel the need to save what emerges, our suggestion is to write on paper, maybe your journal.
As prompts for a conversation
This is how we use them. We hold space for each other with curiosity and compassion, so we can both explore deeper and see better. This year we did our reflections while walking. In 2020 we discovered we could reach a new level of presence when we walk together without anything to write on or read from. And you don’t have to be in the same place, we walked together while being miles away. Being fully present in the conversation is more important than remembering exactly the questions or the words shared.
For group or team reflection
Just replace the “I” with “We” to create a moment of collective reflection, celebrate together 2020 and set the intentions for 2021. When using the questions in a collective setting, being it a team or just a group of individuals, it’s essential to create a safe space where everyone can explore the questions without feeling judged. We suggest beginning with a recentering practice, inviting everyone to set aside devices and sources of distraction. Once everyone is present, you can introduce the questions, but without being too strict about it. Allow for the conversation to flow, giving everyone the space to be heard. You can collect main points and key ideas with post-its or writing them on a whiteboard. In the end, you can all take some time in silence to stay with what has emerged, before a final round in which you can finalize the collective takeaways.
- Looking back at this year, what am I most grateful for? What do I want to celebrate?
- What have I learned about me in 2020?
- What have I realised that is really important for me?
- How are these discoveries inspiring me to realise my own and others’ potential in 2021?
- What do I need to make that happen?
- What am I ready to let go to move towards that vision?
- What do I want to celebrate at the end of 2021? And how?
2020 has been an intense and demanding year. Many of us had to leave behind loved ones, projects, jobs, security. It challenged our values and priorities, broke our plans and certainties, questioned our strength and trust.
Yet, here we are. Here you are. Reflecting on the past and making plans for next year.
We want to celebrate your strength, resilience, courage, but also your fears and doubts. In short, your unique humanness.
May the shining light of who you are continue to be your guide in 2021.
