We often use timelines to wrap up a project, quarter or year. It opens up for great discussions and helps us see our past on paper. It also helps us achieve our goals for the future. I want to share this method and I encourage you to try it when you wrap up your professional year.

You will need, a roll of paper, post-it notes and markers. 

Build a timeline and map out your highs and lows of this year

1. Roll out a long piece of paper. Write the months – January to December at the very top of the paper. (see image below)
    
2. Each individual starts to drawing their personal timeline. Write your name where your line begins and map out your highs and lows over the year. You can include performance highlights and lowlights, as well as insights, emotional highs and lows, challenges, successes, frustrations, stories, surprises, situations, learnings, and anything else that meant something. You decide what level you want to bring to the timeline. Personal highs and lows often go hand in hand with frustrations and successes.
    
3. When you are done, take a step back, observe your timeline.

Reflect upon your highs and lows

1. Take 10–15 minutes to reflect upon your individual highest and lowest periods. Ask yourself:
   - What can I do to prevent lows to occur?
   - What do I need from the team when it happens?
   - What do I feel when the highs occur, and how can I sustain them?
    
2. Share your reflections and feelings from the year with everyone in the group. Look at your line and tell the stories behind your highlights and lowlights.

Set goals for the following year

1. Based on your previous reflection, take another 10 minutes to reflect upon what actions you should take to maximize your highs and minimize your lows.
    
2. Share your goals with the group.
    
3. Check out and admire your work.
   
   

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Merry x-mas