YearCompass Annual Planning Guide
Estela Young
🥰 Copyright Notice YearCompass is lovingly created by an international team based in Budapest, Hungary. Their website is https://yearcompass.com/, where you can download a PDF ver...
🥰 Copyright Notice
YearCompass is lovingly created by an international team based in Budapest, Hungary.
Their website is https://yearcompass.com/, where you can download a PDF version of YearCompass in multiple languages.
For my own records, I manually compiled this Yuque version, keeping the content essentially unchanged.
Thanks to this caring team. I always gain a lot from doing this annual planning.
YearCompass
2023 | 2024
Welcome
What is this?
This is a YearCompass—more precisely, your own YearCompass.
It’s a handbook that helps you review the past year and plan the new one. YearCompass uses carefully selected questions and exercises to help you explore your lifestyle and design a wonderful year ahead.
The booklet is divided into two parts. The first part helps you look back on the previous year, learn from it, and celebrate your achievements. The second part looks forward: you’ll imagine and plan the coming year, getting ready for a fresh start.
What do I need to fill out this handbook?
A pen, a few uninterrupted hours, and an open, honest heart.
Can I do this with a group?
Absolutely! Find a comfortable spot, invite friends, and print copies of the handbook for everyone. Each person should fill out their own YearCompass, but you can pause for short discussions, sharing thoughts and feelings about the exercises.
If you do this together, respect each other’s boundaries. Everyone should only share what they feel comfortable sharing.
Prepare yourself, choose a suitable place, gather your tools and space. Close your eyes, take five deep breaths, let go of expectations, and begin when you feel ready.
The Past Year
Review Your Calendar
Open the calendar from the past year and look at each week. Whenever you notice something significant—whether a family gathering, a friend’s visit, or a meaningful project—write it down here.
This Is How My Past Year Looked
Our lives consist of different yet interconnected areas. Look at the domains below and ask yourself what important events happened in each. Write your answers.
Personal Life · Family
Career · Studies
Friends · Community
Relaxation · Hobbies · Creativity
Physical Health
Mental Health · Self‑Awareness
Habits That Define You
Tomorrow Will Be Better*
What did you do this year that made the world a little better than when you first discovered it?
Summarize My Past Year in Six Sentences
The smartest decision I made was
The most valuable lesson I learned was
The biggest risk I took was
The biggest surprise of the year was
The most important thing I did for others was
My greatest accomplishment was
Summarize My Past Year with Six Questions
What are you most proud of?
Who are the three people who impacted you the most?
Who are the three people you impacted the most?
What things did you leave unfinished?
What is the brightest aspect of yourself that you discovered?
What are you most grateful for?
Highlight Moments
Describe the best, most unforgettable, and happiest moments of last year. Sketch them here. How did you feel at the time? Who was with you? What were you doing? What smells, sounds, or tastes do you remember?
My Three Biggest Achievements
List your three biggest achievements from last year
What did you do to make these achievements possible?
Who helped you achieve them? How did they help?
My Three Biggest Challenges
List the three biggest challenges you faced last year
Who or what helped you overcome these challenges?
What did you learn about yourself in the process?
Forgiveness
Did something happen in the past year that you can’t let go of? A hurtful action or words? Or are you angry with yourself? Write it below. For your own sake, forgive. *
If you’re not ready to forgive yet, you can still write it here—it may help later.
Letting Go
Is there anything else you want to say? Anything you need to release before the new year begins? Draw or write it, contemplate, then let it go.
Three Words That Represent the Past Year
Choose three words that capture your past year
A Book That Represents the Past Year
If you had to sum up the past year with a book or movie, what would you call it?
Saying Goodbye to the Past Year
If there’s anything else you want to write down, or people you want to say farewell to, note it below.
The past year is over. You’ve finished Part 1. Take a deep breath and rest.
The New Year
Dare to Dream
What will your new year look like? In an ideal scenario, what will happen and why would it be great? Write it down, draw it, set aside expectations, and boldly imagine.
My New Year Will Be…
Look at the different areas of your life and set goals for each domain for the coming year. Write those goals on this page—they’ll be your first step toward achieving them.
Personal Life · Family
Career · Studies
Friends · Community
Relaxation · Hobbies · Creativity
Physical Health
Mental Health · Self‑Awareness
Habits That Define You
Tomorrow Will Be Better*
What will you do in the coming year to make the world a little better than when you first discovered it?
The Magical Three for the New Year
Three things I love most about myself
Three things I’m ready to let go of
Three things I most want to achieve
Three people who can be my pillars when I’m struggling
Three directions I want to explore
Three things I have the courage to say “no” to
Three things that make my environment feel comfortable
Three things I’ll do every morning
Three places I’ll visit
Three ways I’ll connect with the people I love
Three directions I’ll explore
Three gifts I’ll give myself to celebrate success
Six Sentences About the New Year
This year I will no longer procrastinate on…
This year I will draw the most energy from…
When … happens, I will be at my bravest
When … happens, I will say “yes”
This year I will tell myself to…
This year is special to me because…
My Representative Word for the Year
Choose a word that represents the new year. When you need extra motivation, revisit this word—it will remind you not to give up on your dreams.
Secret Wish
Let your imagination run wild—what secret wish do you have for the coming year?
Congratulations, you’ve just planned your new year!
I truly believe anything is possible this year.
Date:
Signature:
Originally written by Estela Young and published in Chinese on 一只产品汪的自白. Translated and edited for DriftSeas with permission.