My personal year-end audit

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I do not do resolutions — I do a personal audit.

I’ve learned that before I plan my next year, I must first audit the year that just passed.

An audit is different from a wish list. It is honest. It is specific. And sometimes, it is a little painful. If we don’t examine our lives, we carry the same problems into a brand-new calendar and call it a fresh start.

Allow me to share my own year-end audit.

1. What mindset shift did I take this year?

For many years, I said, “TikTok is for dancing and lip-syncing. Not for me.”

I also thought, “Podcasting? That’s for the younger generation. I’ll just write, speak and stick to what I know.”

And then this year, I did two things I never thought I would do:

I started a TikTok channel.

I launched a YouTube podcast channel.

And on top of that, I started writing more books.

What changed? My mindset.

I realized that these platforms are not “toy apps.” They are tools — when in the hands of the right people — that can become instruments of influence and encouragement.

I changed my mind from:

“These platforms are not for me.”

To: “These platforms are stewardship opportunities God has placed in front of me.”

Audit question for you:

What did you change your mind on this year — and are you grateful you did?

2. Where did I feel joy, momentum and renewed strength?

There are activities that drain you and there are activities that leave you feeling more alive afterward.

My new adventures gave me a lot of energy:

Reading encouraging comments from young people on TikTok who say, “I needed this today.”

Deep, meaningful conversations on the YouTube podcast with guests whose stories inspire.

Quiet mornings and late evenings spent writing — shaping ideas into chapters for new books.

I would finish a recording or a writing session, physically tired but energized in spirit.

Audit question for you:

Which people, projects and places made you come alive this year — and did you give them enough space in your schedule?

3. What repeatedly left me tired, discouraged or empty?

Not everything we did this year was life-giving.

Some things that tend to drain energy:

Endless meetings that go nowhere.

Conversations that revolve around complaints and negativity.

Overcommitting to every request and then wondering why we are exhausted and irritated.

There were days I caught myself saying “yes” when I should have politely said “no.”

Audit question for you:

What repeatedly drained you this year — and why did you allow it to continue?

4. What was weighing me down when I was trying to move ahead?

There are things, people and factors that serve as wings beneath our wings, helping propel us toward our desired goals, and there are factors, people and things that serve as anchors around our feet that force us to stay in the same place.

Some “anchors” are:

People who constantly belittle your dreams and tell you to “be realistic.”

Old stories you keep telling yourself: “I’m too old for that,” “I’m not good with money,” “I’ll never change.”

Habits that quietly sabotage your growth: procrastination, scrolling endlessly, sleeping too late.

Audit question for you:

Who or what is slowing you down — and are you willing to lift that anchor in the coming year?

5. What went really well this year — and what clearly fell short?

Some of my “hits” this year:

Exploring new channels to teach values and leadership.

Reaching younger audiences I may never meet physically.

Staying committed to writing columns, books, training lessons and reflections.

But I also had “misses”:

Times when I let busyness crowd out quiet reflection.

Days when I focused so much on output that I neglected rest.

Listing both wins and losses keeps us both humble and hopeful.

Audit question for you:

What did you do well this year — and where did you fall short in a way that you want to correct, not excuse?

5. What truths, principles or insights do I want to carry into next year?

This year, I learned:

New platforms are not a threat; they are a trust.

You are never too old to try something new when your purpose is clear.

Energy is a compass: where God gives you energy, He often gives you assignments.

Audit question for you:

If you had to write down five to 10 key lessons from this year, what would they be — and how will you live them out next year?

As you end the year, I invite you to do your own personal year-end audit.

Take a notebook, a cup of coffee and some quiet time.

Write your answers to these six questions. Be honest. Be specific. Be grateful.

Don’t just change your calendar. Change your story.

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