Every year, I used to get an email that stopped me in my tracks. It would land in my inbox, and I’d feel this immediate sense of clarity and groundedness. The email came from the CEO of the company I worked for at the time—a brilliant, mission-driven leader whose work focused on transforming education by building changemakers, not bubble-fillers. I respected him deeply, and when he shared best practices, I paid attention.

That email contained five simple reflection questions to ask at the end of the year and the beginning of the next. I answered them every year. And when I eventually left that role, I kept the practice.

Now, I record an episode like this every year to remind you to pause and reflect. And if you’re listening to this at any other time of year, here’s your permission slip: the year is a construct. Reflection works anytime. The more often you do it, the more powerful it becomes.

Research consistently shows that intentional reflection increases learning, clarity, emotional regulation, and follow-through. When we pause to look back, we extract wisdom from experience instead of rushing past it—and that wisdom is one of the greatest accelerators for turning ideas into real things.

Last year, I shared a set of reflection questions focused on what gave you positive and negative feelings and how you wanted to shift your priorities. This year, I went deeper with my students—and the results were profound.

Reflection Questions for This Year

• What are you proudest of?
• When did you feel most alive?
• What did you learn?
• Where were you deeply true to yourself?
• Where—and how—did you abandon yourself?
• How do you want to prioritize differently moving forward?
• How do you want to grow?
  What do you most want to celebrate from 2025?

I recommend saving your reflections each year. Over time, they become a powerful record of your evolution—what mattered, what shifted, and how you grew into yourself.

I’ll end this episode with a final practice that is the MOST powerful I’ve found to launch you on the path you most want to walk for the year ahead.

If you want support bringing your ideas to life, join us in the Bloom Room or the Moxie Mastermind. 2026 is the year of your moxie. Let’s go.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Glen Tripp — CEO, changemaker, and longtime advocate for reflective leadership practices

How to connect with Marie:

• On the Web | The Local Bloom
• Instagram: @the.bloom.coach
• All Things Marie on LinkTree

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We'll take all these ideas and apply them to our lives. Follow me on Instagram at @the.bloom.coach to learn more and snag a spot in my group coaching program!