Christmas has come and gone. We have survived the multiple Christmas Eve services and then regular Sunday services a few days later. We are stronger for it. 2015 has quickly passed us by and 2016 is pulling into the driveway. This week is an important week for you. Take some time this week to review your year (not just on Facebook) and to dream about the possibilities of 2016.

Thinking back about this past year is a huge opportunity for growth. You can do this both personally and for ministry. Whether it is journaling or just looking at your Christmas tree in deep thought, take a moment to reflect. Here are some good questions to ask:

Personally:

1. When were you closest to God?
2. When were you furthest from Him?
3. In what area of life have you grown?
4. When were you happiest?
5. When were you the most frustrated?
6. What would you say the theme of this year would be?
7. What was one of the biggest changes?

Work:

1. Do you think you were successful? Why?
2. What has been the biggest hurdle?
3. Who has helped you out the most? (plan to write them a thank you card)
4. When were you frustrated? Why?
5. When were you excited to do your job?

Theses are just a few suggestions but can definitely help start some good reflection on 2015.

This week, more then reflecting, helps me to dream about 2016. Seriously, the possibilities are endless. You could do whatever you want, it is a new year. To help me stay grounded in reality though I try to think on some of these questions:

Personally:

If you could do one thing this year to grow closer to God, what would you do?

1. What do you want to learn this year?
2. Who do you want to spend more time with?
3. If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?
4. What are (3) goals you would like to accomplish this year?

Work:

1. What are some goals to crush this year?
2. How can you be more productive/ better at time management?
3. What do you think it would take to be more successful? (and think about some action steps to get things done.)

I find this week helpful both in my personal life and in my work. Through reflection and goal setting I can grow as a person. I find myself thinking about time I wasted that I will never get back and look for ways to minimize that in the future. I laugh at the good times and process some of the bad. I set goals at work to help be more successful and to give myself a challenge. As 2015 fades to black and 2016 comes in kicking and screaming, take some time to reflect and dream.