Annual Review Framework
A structured approach to reflecting on the past year and planning the next. Thorough without being exhausting — honest without being harsh.
2-3 hours Late December / Early January
This framework is adapted from Dr. Anthony Gustin's Annual Review process. For the original, visit dranthonygustin.com
Part 1: The Rearview Mirror
Before looking forward, look back. Don't judge — just observe.
1.1 The Year in Facts
List the major events, milestones, and changes from the past year. Just facts, no interpretation yet.
Professional:
Personal:
Health:
Relationships:
1.2 The Highlight Reel
What were the peak moments? Times you felt most alive, proud, or fulfilled?
For each highlight, ask: What made this moment significant? What conditions created it?
1.3 The Lowlight Reel
What were the difficult moments? Times you felt stuck, disappointed, or lost?
For each lowlight, ask: What did this teach me? What would I do differently?
Part 2: The Audit
Now let's evaluate how you actually performed against what you intended.
2.1 Goal Review
List your goals from last year and assess honestly:
Patterns in what I achieved:
Patterns in what I missed:
2.2 Time Audit
Where did your time actually go? Estimate percentages and satisfaction:
| Category | % of Time | Satisfaction (1-10) |
|---|---|---|
| Deep/Creative Work | ||
| Management/Meetings | ||
| Family/Relationships | ||
| Health/Fitness | ||
| Rest/Recovery |
What this tells me:
Part 3: The Extraction
What I Learned
About myself:
About leadership:
About business:
About life:
What I Would Repeat
Things that worked — habits, decisions, investments — that you want to continue:
What I Would NOT Repeat
Things you want to stop doing, avoid, or handle differently:
Part 4: The Integration
One-Sentence Summary
Summarize the past year in a single sentence:
The Narrative
Write 3-5 paragraphs telling the story of your year. This becomes your memory of the year.
Gratitude List
10 things you're genuinely grateful for from this year:
Forgiveness
Who or what do you need to forgive to enter the new year lighter?
Others:
Yourself:
Part 5: Looking Forward
The Theme
If you could capture the essence of what you want next year to be about in a single word or phrase:
The Commitments
I will START:
I will STOP:
I will CONTINUE:
The Letter
Write a brief letter to yourself to be opened next year at this time:
Completion Checklist
- I have been honest, not just optimistic
- I have acknowledged both successes and failures
- I have extracted lessons, not just listed events
- I have forgiven what needs forgiving
- I have a clear theme for the next year