The Power of Looking Back Before You Look Forward
-By Shannon Harnett, Partner
I’m a planner — unashamedly so. Those who know me will be nodding (or rolling their eyes) because they’ve seen the whiteboards, the notebooks, the Lisa O Purpose Planners. But here’s the thing: you wouldn’t head off on a trip without a map, so why would you move through life without a plan?
Plans don’t need to be perfect. They can evolve, twist, or be completely derailed by things far outside our control. But the act of sitting down, taking a breath, and getting clear on what you actually want is both grounding and powerful.
Over the years I’ve done all the planning flavours — annual goals, five-year plans, 30-year visions and the classic BHAGs (big hairy audacious goals). I still do them because they matter. But just as important are the small rhythms: daily priorities, weekly reviews, and those 90-day sprints that keep momentum alive.
Last year I added something new to the mix, inspired by a Mel Robbins' podcast: the Year in Review. And wow — this one hits differently.
How to Do It
Grab some A1 paper (yes, go big), tape it to a wall or window, and map out the months of 2025. Then dive in:
- Scroll through your photos
- Check your calendar
- Flick through your journal
- (And if you don’t journal… we may need a separate conversation.)
Write down everything: work milestones, holidays, wins, rough patches, family moments, the lot. If you’re feeling brave, you can even estimate your Netflix hours or your weekly scrolling habit. Patterns will appear — some good, some less so.
Then step away. Let it breathe for a day or two. Sometimes clarity needs space.
Because this exercise isn’t just about collecting memories — it’s about bringing the unconscious into the light. And that can feel uncomfortable. Be kind to yourself.
When you’re ready, come back to it, look at the themes, and set your goals for the year ahead with a clearer head and a better understanding of how last year was spent.
It’s simple. It’s confronting. And it’s absolutely worth it.