The last week of 2023.

What a year.

After spending the past few weekends reflecting on this year, my lessons, my mistakes, and everything in between, I've come away with one clear conclusion:

Life moves on regardless.

Life moves on whether or not we take action.

Life moves on whether or not we are consistent.

And life moves on whether or not we're committed.

This year has taught me a lot about myself.

It showed me that I have a higher standard within me, which enabled me to make solid progress on my life goals.

It also showed me that I can get easily distracted - and need to double my focus on my goals.

I also learned that TIME OFF is just as crucial as TIME ON when working and moving toward goals.

Time for introspection, reflection, and solitude are healthy activities (although modern society does not value these things).

I also learned to fall more in love with daily activities, including writing, reading, walking, and spending time.

As a chronic overachiever, slowing down has been a true gift for me.

To take my foot off the pedal and consciously relax.

Part of today's letter is different.

I'll share a few guiding questions I've used over the past few years to help unlock new growth going into the new year.

I also use these questions to acknowledge my progress over the past year.

Part of these questions are inspired by a mastermind I've been part of since 2018 - which has hands down changed my life more than anything else.

Here's my end-of-year annual review (which you can copy and use):

• Reflect on the primary goals you set for yourself in the past year. Evaluate how well you did on these goals.
• What were your three most significant accomplishments? Identify the key factors that contributed to these successes. (new knowledge, network power, focused effort, etc.)
• What were your three most significant challenges? Describe what helped you overcome them and the lessons you learned from this experience.
• What were the most intelligent decisions you took?
• What were your worst decisions of the year?
• Which risks did you take, and how did they pay off?
• What were the most significant lessons that you learned?
• What are the things you have discovered about yourself?
• Who were the people that influenced you the most? Whom did you influence the most?
• Reflecting on the past year, what has become possible for you now that wasn't possible a year ago?
• Before moving to plan the next year:
• Forgive. I forgive (myself, others, situations, etc.) ...
• Let go. I let go of...
• Express gratitude. I am grateful for...
• Imagine your ideal life and write down your vision. What is my perfect life vision? What do I truly desire? What's my vision of 'Heaven on Earth' for the life I want to live and the person I want to be?
• Imagining your next year, complete the following sentences:
• Next year, I advise myself to...
• Next year, I will not procrastinate anymore on…
• Next year will be special for me because…
• Next year, I'll love these three things about myself…
• By the end of the following year, I will be…

Part of what I've found helpful in this process is giving yourself space.

Don't rush the reflective journey.

Instead, take some time.

Slow down.

Give yourself space to reflect.

And acknowledge your growth and progress.

Part of maturing as a human being is slowing down.

In Eastern philosophy (and some of the oldest psychological systems on the planet), shikantaza is used within Zen traditions.

Shikantaza is the art of slowing down.

It is being present.

While contrary to modern living, slowing down brings several key benefits:

• Creates new neural pathways
• Improves cognitive and intuitive thinking
• Releases physical and emotional stress
• You come back to your center
• Understand how your psyche works and what drives you

2024 is right around the corner.

I'm excited about many exciting projects, growth, and life expansion going into the following year.

But I'm also aware of how fast things can go without my entire presence.

Give yourself the grace to honor your life.

And enjoy your end of this year.

With compassion,

Gabriel

End Your Year Strong Quote

P.S. Happy New Year's and wishing you a wonderful time with your loved ones too. :)