From Reflection to Resilience: Embracing Año Nuevo as We Step into the New Year
As we transition from the Old Year to the New Year, it is a natural time for reflection as well as excitement for what’s to come. At a recent staff event, colleagues were discussing various New Years traditions they celebrate and one that stuck with me was Año Nuevo. In Ecuadorian/Columbian culture, the idea of ceremoniously burning away the Old Year -Año Viejo- to make room for the New Year -Año Nuevo. (Learn more about this tradition from this NY Times article).
While its cathartic to leave behind the pieces of the past we want to forget, its equally important to take stock of what we’ve accomplished, what we’ve learned and what we will take with us that will guide our resolutions for the upcoming year.
In the spirit of Año Nuevo, I created a graphic (which you can also download by clicking on the graphic below) that reminds us of how the past can help plan for the future. Fill this out and post it someplace where you will see it often to guide you throughout the New Year. If you choose to leave the past completely behind, fold it in half or in true Año Nuevo fashion, rip out Año Viejo and burn it (safely please)!
To explore this even further, consider the following:
Año Viejo (Old Year):
What will I leave behind in the Old Year?
Acknowledge your feelings from challenges or setbacks. It’s okay to feel disappointment, frustration or sadness when things didn't work out how we planned or anticipated.
Avoid self-blame and be kind to yourself. Setbacks are part of life and cannot always be prevented.
Determine what you will let go of so it will not impede your progress or growth for future goals.
What have I learned from the Old Year?
Evaluate your growth over the year in all realms of your life (e.g., career, health, wealth, family, friends). Determine the key lessons that took place for this growth to happen.
When thinking about past challenges, see them as a learning opportunity. Analyze what went wrong and lessons that can be applied to the future.
What did I accomplish in the Old Year?
Go through the goals you set for the past year and recognize those that were achieved.
Take note of what went well this past year in all realms of your life and what you're proud of. Remember that sometimes the goals we didn’t necessarily consider “big enough” can be the most impactful. All accomplishments are worth celebrating!
Año Nuevo (New Year):
What will I take with me from the Old Year into the New Year?
Think about lessons learned from your setbacks you don’t want to forget. This helps leave the negativity behind and shifts your mindset from a setback to a valuable learning experience.
Identify the successes from the Old Year that can carry on into the New Year. Continue to build upon that success.
What do I want to learn in the New Year?
Take each realm of your life and contemplate what would be helpful to learn in order to reach goals set.
Learning can be fun! Is there anything you want to try in the New Year? Take a cooking class? Play a new instrument? Read more books? Try a new workout activity? Mixing up “quick-hits” with long-term learning can be rejuvenating and just plain enjoyable.
Need ideas? Seek feedback from colleagues, friends, or mentors. External perspectives can provide valuable insights into your strengths and areas for improvement.
What do I want to accomplish in the New Year?
Clarify your long-term vision and values the guide you when making important decisions. When you think about what you want to achieve in the long run, how do next year's goals align?
Develop a detailed action plan for each goal. Outline the tasks, resources, and timelines needed to achieve them. Prioritize goals in order of importance (e.g., what aligns most with your long-term vision and values). Don’t forget to build a support system of people that can offer you guidance, accountability and encouragement.
Bottom Line:
As we stand on the threshold of the New Year, the tradition of Año Nuevo offers us a powerful metaphor for our personal and professional lives. The ceremonial burning away of the Old Year prompts us to reflect on what we will leave behind, what we have learned, and what we carry forward into the future. Embracing the spirit of Año Viejo lets us acknowledge the setbacks, learn from the challenges, and celebrate the victories of the past. As we step into the New Year, armed with insights and aspirations, let us forge ahead with purpose and resilience.
May the lessons of the Old Year guide you, and the goals of the New Year inspire you to reach new heights. Wishing you a year filled with growth, success, and meaningful accomplishments. Feliz Año Nuevo / Happy New Year!
If you are looking to create a life/career map for the coming year, let’s work together! Connect with me at megan@arrivecircanow.com if you are interested in coaching.