The snow may not yet have fallen yet in New York City, but the transition from fall to winter is in the air. I love it. Heck – I already have my Christmas tree! As the holidays are upon is, it’s a natural time to evaluate the year—after all, there’s just one month left until the new year.

This weekend I evaluated all the good stuff that happened to me this year. I refused to stop writing until my page was full. Some cool things came up:

Releasing my first book. Seeing my best friend who lives in Australia. (Starting) to exercise more than once a month. Going to a cat cafe in Tokyo. Meeting one of my favorite authors for lunch. Joining a cool entrepreneurial community. Speaking for the non-profit Step Up. Hiring someone to help me with Instagram. Perfecting my cat eye (well I’m not quite there but I learned from the YouTube experts – I’ve been doing it wrong all along – you need to draw the flick first)! Listening to Abraham Hicks on the regular.

It’s something I like to do at the end of every year along with some other secrets that set me up in advance for a great new year ahead. I always start with…

Taking inventory of how far you’ve come (it’s further than you think)!

Write down your wins. Try to get 50 or more. Even flossing your teeth consistently counts or remembering to call your mum more regularly. Don’t hold back!

Ask yourself, “What unexpected lessons did I learn this year?”

Did you discover a new favorite writer or workout class? Did you learn to stop trusting a friend who doesn’t deserve your confidence? Did you stand up for yourself at work? Did you say yes to a spontaneous date, trip, or seminar? You don’t need to start a new job, run a marathon, or have a thriving side gig to have made progress. Heck — even turning something down this year (with relief) that you would have said yes to one year ago (just to please others) is a major sign of growth!

Book 2017 priorities in advance.

For me – this includes vacations which are uber important. And a schedule for my creative projects – knowing what I will be working on an when. 12 months is surprisingly short once you map it all out. Schedule what matters so that it happens. Even book flights if you can or make plans with colleagues and clients to hold you accountable.

As Steven Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People says, “Don’t prioritise your schedule, schedule your priorities.” 

Set some juicy goals with the help of a vision board

Put simply, a vision board is a collage of images, pictures, and affirmations of your dreams, goals, (anything that makes you feel happy and inspired) all on one simple A3 board. Some people call them an inspiration board or a dream board.

Vision Boards not only work (they help you get clear on what you want and unlock the magical flow of manifestation), but through the power of images we can visualise our future for ourselves — responding and putting on paper the visions that “call” to us.

It is a fabulous way to get specific and put your dreams on paper in a unique (and fun) way. Even better, invite your friends over and host a vision board party!

Ask yourself, “Have my desires shifted?”

Think about that for a second. Do you still want the same things you did a year ago? Maybe your true desires have changed, but you still hold yourself to an old blueprint that leaves you feeling heavy and uncertain. Perhaps you wanted a promotion but really want a career change. Maybe you wanted to move to a new city, but you’ve met someone romantically who lives in your current town.

You’re allowed to change your mind and enter the new year as the new individual that you are.

Take solid time off work

Even if you have to work late December, can you squeeze in some down-time? With most businesses naturally quiet around this period, enjoy the quieter days and take some time out for you.

Whether 2016 was a good or bad year for you, let it go.

As C.S. Lewis said, “There are far greater things ahead than any we leave behind.” But with that said, we still have one month left this year. It counts. It matters. There is a whole lot you can do in a month, if you want to. What can you do to end this year on a high and enter 2017 confident and bold?

Please share with me…What excites you about the new year ahead? Or what did 2016 teach you? Please let me know in the comments box below – and add a win that you had this year!