A Self-Assessment for the New Year

When you’re feeling a little scattered and overwhelmed, a quick check-in with yourself can help you identify where things are awesome and worthy of celebrating and where things might be off and need a little fine-tuning. Here’s a self-assessment for the new year and how to make a plan forward.

Have you checked in with yourself recently? Do you know where things are going well and deserve celebrating?

Likewise, are there areas that need your attention in order to improve?

Years ago I identified 7 basic areas of life plus 1 flex area that I put under self-assessment, regular revision and iteration.

Iteration’s a cool word, right? I learned about this concept a few years ago and how it applies to regular life. It sounds fancy, but it’s simple.

The best definition is actually from the book, Simplified Organization:

To iterate means to perform repeatedly, to repeat a procedure, applying the result of the previous application to the next one.…Iteration means that we take a few small steps forward, look back to assess and learn after each step, then take a few more small steps forward, incorporating what we learned so far.

When I first started doing a regular self-assessment, I didn’t really know I was iterating, but there we are. I do a check-in usually at the start of the year and the start of each month. It’s one of my monthly tasks that helps me move forward on the things I want to accomplish.

Here are the areas that I like to focus on:

(and yes, you will recognize these spheres of life from this post and from the Print & Go Planner.)

This self-assessment list has been one I’ve consulted over and over again through the years to see what to celebrate and what to tweak.

It’s only in recent months that I’ve recognized the importance of celebrating the good things and expressing gratefulness for them. I think this is probably a result of learning more about a growth mindset and trying to implement that in my life and in my family.

If you’re ready to get introspective, I encourage you to spend an hour checking in with yourself about these areas.

Self-Assessment Questions

What can you thank God for? What can you ask for His help in? What can you be intentional to improve?

How is your personal health?

Answering this may involve a trip to the doctor and it may not. It really depends on you and how honest you can be with yourself. This is true of any kind of self-assessment.

By “personal health”, I include both the mental and the physical, the things we can see on the outside as well as the inside stuff (either what you can report in terms of feelings or what can be revealed through medical tests.)

Sleep, nutrition, activity are also things to consider as you assess. Where have you made progress in taking good care of your mortal coil? Where can you improve?

If you’re not sure, now is a good time to schedule a physical with a doctor you trust. If you don’t have one, ask around so that you can be with us for a good long while, enjoying the best health possible.

Are you growing spiritually and intellectually?

As a Christian and as someone who loves to learn, this is hugely important to me. It’s a must-do in my own self-assessments. I can’t imagine someone not wanting to grow spiritually and/or intellectually.

My prayer life and the time I spend in the Bible are typically a good measure for me, as well as the other media I spend time on.

As I go through my Bible study throughout the year, I take notes of lessons I’m learning, like enough is good. These are valuable to me to remember, proof that I am growing. I find that journaling always help me to take a measure of this area of my life.

If you’re not sure that you’re growing, then that might be a time to pause. Ask the people who know you best what they think. It may be hard to hear, but is vital to your well-being.

I once heard a teacher say, “If you’re not growing, you’re dying.” I’m not sure how far the analogy can go, but it’s been motivating over the years as I do a regular self-assessment.

How are your relationships with others?

Outside of me and God, my relationships with my husband and kids come next.

(In the Print & Go Planner, it says “relationships”. As it’s a planner for sale, I didn’t want to exclude those who might not be married. Likewise, the planner doesn’t say “kids” because not everyone has kids.)

List the people who are most important to you and think about how you relate with them. What’s going really well? What could you improve in your interactions?

Are there people to make peace with or even just people you haven’t contacted in a while? Take some time to asses if those are relationships to pursue in this season of life.

What is your home and physical space like?

Everyone wants a place to call home. What it looks like and how we homemake will be different, but I think it’s an important facet of life, no matter how you spend your days.

Checking in with yourself regarding this area can be quite meaningful and helpful.

• What spaces do you really love?
• What spaces could use some extra attention?
• Do you need to declutter things?
• Are there chores that you avoid?

If you haven’t given much attention to home management, now is a good time to start! Do a self-assessment of your homemaking.

How are your finances?

Money, money, money. First of all, count your blessings and accomplishments.

Most of us have areas of our financial life that we could improve, but it’s important to remember the things we’re doing right and then build on that!

One of the best things we ever did was get our finances under control and get out of debt, but we still have ways we can grow and get better with our money.

Again, it’s always something under review and improvement, depending on market forces. If you’re not sure where you’re at, it may be time to start having regular money meetings.

• Do you have a zero-based budget?
• What does your emergency fund look like?
• Could you start a few sinking funds to take the pressure off during the year?

Living within your means can make a big difference in your life.

Hospitality & Friendships

As I age, I’ve come to realize a few important truths:

• It’s harder to make friends as you and your kids age out of playdates. Harder, but not impossible. Just know that this is happening to us all, so don’t let it get you down.
• Old friends can be some of the best. Don’t discount friends from long ago. A few years ago I resurrected some dormant but longstanding friendships and it’s been one of the biggest blessings of my life!
• Make the most of the time you have. A military mom I met at Bible study years ago taught me this. She did not let the grass grow under her feet. She knew their change of station would come in three short years so she made the most of the time she had.

What are your friendships like? Again, count your blessings!

How do you want to grow in your friendships or in how you extend hospitality? Could you start hosting a game night or open Sunday dinner to those outside your family?

Does your church need hosts for regular gatherings? Could you volunteer?

One book on my list to read in 2026 is The Gospel Comes with a House Key. Anyone want to read it with me?

Work

Not everyone has a job outside the home, but everyone has “work” to do. Think about it.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10

The work God is calling you to may fall in a paid capacity, it might fall into one of the previous categories, or it might be something different all together.

What is the work you are to do in this season of your life? How is it going well? How can you grow in this endeavor?

BONUS area

For many years, this section in my planner said homeschool because that was not quite any of the other areas, but a regular part of my every day life. Currently, travel is it for me since it’s something Bryan and I value highly.

Your bonus area might be something else, a hobby or other interest. Again, how is it going well? How can you grow and change?

Check-in with this Self-Assessment Worksheet

If you’re interested in taking your personal inventory, grab this printable worksheet.

You can fill out the columns in a number of different ways.

• Demonstrate (in words or images) what you want that area to look like.

• List the wins or the things to be thankful for.

• Describe how things currently are.

• Identify things you can do to create change or improvement.

I can’t wait to hear how this activity goes for you!

Take it further!

If you’d like to take this self-assessment process further, throughout your year, then be sure to grab a copy of The Print & Go Planner. It’s designed with a growth mindset bent.

More Good Ideas for Growing