How was your 2024, great, good, bad?
Year-end is, for many of us, the time when we look back at our goals, evaluate, make New Year’s resolutions, plan, and hope.
But how did you judge your achievements? Was that promotion, money, professional or personal development, the happy faces of your close friends and family, health, or fun?
The focusing illusion gives more weight to the aspects of life to which attention is directed. It makes us judge the same achievements differently depending on the lenses we choose.
Your purpose in life can be seen as that lens.
Basketball star Giannis Antetokounmpo offers a powerful perspective on this. When asked whether he considers a year without a championship a failure, answered that there is no failure in sports. You are not always going to win, but everything you do is a step toward success, and success can be defined very differently. For one, it is a championship; for somebody else, it’s taking care of their family. What is important is that you try to be better every year, and maybe you will win a championship one day.
It is a humble, down-to-earth perspective from a person who experienced poverty and glory and is one of the greatest examples of resilience and determination.
More Resilient New Year
The purpose will determine your focus and how you look at reality, which can make you satisfied or disappointed. Therefore, it is not just a fun exercise at the beginning of the year. This is the foundation of a resilient life.
If your purpose is tied to specific outcomes—your bank balance, job title, or winning first place— you might find yourself disappointed more often than not.
A more resilient focus is to embrace the journey and the process of growth. Psychologist Daniel Kahneman once said that setting overly ambitious, hard-to-attain goals is a recipe for dissatisfaction. Life is full of unpredictable twists, and anchoring your happiness to things you can’t fully control is like chasing shadows. There will always be someone richer or smarter; one day, every champion will find a more skilled, younger, or more motivated challenger and lose.
Haruki Murakami finds the real challenge in becoming a little better than yesterday. Whether or not you win the championship—or hit that big goal—progress is what keeps life meaningful.
Life Hupomnemata
I’ve found that broad value statements are far more powerful than rigid, specific goals. Why? Because life changes. Rigid plans don’t adapt well to the unexpected, but values act like a compass, helping you choose the best course of action no matter what comes your way.
One practice that has deeply influenced me is inspired by the Stoics: hupomnemata. In ancient times, hupomnemata were personal journals used for self-reflection, tracking progress, and exploring philosophical ideas. I’ve adopted a modern version of this practice, using it to revisit my purpose, values, and life expectations at the start of every year—and sometimes in the middle, when I need to recalibrate.
Here are the questions I ask myself:
Why am I here?
What am I after?
What are two words that best describe my core values?
What daily behaviors should guide my choices?
What are my rules for a good life?
When I first started, my answers to these questions changed often. Over time, they’ve stabilized into a clear personal philosophy—one I rely on to make decisions and evaluate my progress. During the year, I return to my Life Hupomnemata to reflect and make sure I’m staying true to my values.
What About You?
What’s your approach to New Year’s resolutions? Do you prefer detailed plans, or have you found inspiration in broader principles?
I’d love to hear your perspective—whether it’s in the comments or a quick email. Let’s exchange ideas and learn from one another.
Final Thoughts: Here's to Resilience
I truly believe that focusing on the journey, rather than chasing a single, rigid goal, makes us more resilient. Life will always throw unexpected challenges our way, but if we stay true to our values, we can adapt, thrive, and find real fulfillment.
Here’s to a year of growth, purpose, and resilience—one step at a time. Happy New Year!
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Oh, what a dramatically strong and deep subject! The year end seems to make a strong impact on you. My perspective is different - it has not influence on me. I'd rather follow Haruki Murakami's sentence but whatever one thinks some crucial question it's worth to be answered not because there is a year end but the soonner the better. Those are the question you've asked and congratulations - you found the answers. That, in my opinion, is a GREAT achievement!.BTW - I still work on that having a feeling - no major achievement is possible to be obtained:-)
PS - preferct photos!