021: How to Do a Personal “Decade in Review”

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“Sometimes the best way to look forward is to take time to look back…”

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You’ve probably heard of a yearly review. A chance in December to look back at what worked, what didn’t work and the things you learned along the way. But at the end of 2019, we are not only on the cusp of a new year, we are entering a brand new decade!

Too often we fail to see the progress we’ve made. If you’re like me, you can get so caught up on how far you still have to go, that you miss out on how far you have come.

In this episode, I share practical tips and tools for how to do a “Decade in Review” – [LISTEN using the player at the top of the page]

Don’t miss the downloadable worksheets designed to help you keep your eyes fixed on God as you acknowledge the struggles in the past decade, but also celebrate the wins. Let’s move forward into the year 2020 with 20/20 vision.

We’ll be discussing…

• “People tend to overestimate what can be done in one year and to underestimate what can be done in five or ten years.” – J.C.R Licklider
• Like the Israelites in Nehemiah 9:17, we easily forget the miracles God has done on our behalf
• Rather than focus on everything that’s gone wrong, God can help us find the positive
• “Decade in Review” is not a self-assessment tool but a chance to see the highs and lows of life without judging them
• Looking back allows us to determine what we want to take with us and what we want to leave behind
• God is always with us, for us and working on our behalf

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PRACTICAL TIPS FOR DOING A “DECADE IN REVIEW”

• Set aside some chunks of time when you can be alone and free of distractions
• Use old journals, calendars, planners, Christmas newsletters, social media posts and pictures to refresh your memory
• Invite the Holy Spirit to join you in this exercise and to remind you of His work in your life
• Think big picture – don’t get lost in the details
• Look for ways God has worked and revealed Himself to you over the past decade
• Record any progress on goals and answers to prayer – no matter how small
• Determine what you want to take into the new decade and what you want to leave behind
• Give all of your past baggage to Jesus so you can move forward unhindered

People overestimate what can be done in one year, and underestimate what can be done in ten – JCR Licklider

Additional Resources

006: Cultivate What Matters with Lara Casey | The Living Room

Sign up for “Word of God Speak 2020” Bible Reading Plan and Free Journal

Connect with Joanna

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Free “Decade in Review” Worksheets

To help you do a personal “Decade in Review,” I’ve designed easy to use worksheets. Sign up and you’ll automatically recieve a printable pdf. I suggest printing one-sided to provide extra room for brainstorming the last ten years.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. ~ Philippians 3:12

Help Me Spread the News!

Because I really believe in the value of this “Decade in Review,” I’d love your help in getting the word out!

Perhaps you have friends who’d enjoy it – or you’d like to do it with your family or small group. Just share the following link: www.JoannaWeaverBooks.com/decade. It will bring them to this page where they can sign up for their own set of worksheets.

Help spread the word online by sharing from my social media platforms:

• Instagram – leave a comment and tag some friends
• Facebook – share the post or tag some friends

Here are a couple of tweets if you’re into TWITTER:

INTO PINTEREST? Hover over any of the graphics on this page to share…

I’d love to hear from you… How has looking back on all that God has done helped you to move forward with clarity and courage?