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Look back on the year and plan the new one small

Look back on the past year without blaming yourself: what happened, what helped and what drained your energy? Then decide what to keep and what to drop. For the new year, one focus is enough, with an if-then plan, a minimum version and a rule for restarting. The template is also meant for people with ADHD or autism who quickly find long lists of resolutions too much.

My year in review

Look back without judging
Keep and drop
Plan the new year small

Editable worksheet

My year in review

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Look back without judging

Describe what happened – no grades, no need to be complete.

What happened this year?What helped, and what drained my energy?

Keep and drop

Sort out what comes with you into the new year.

What do I want to keep?What will I drop or make smaller?

Plan the new year small

One focus, one plan and a small version.

One focus as an if-then planMinimum version and restart rule

How to use the worksheet

Sort first, then plan small

Keep the review limited
Choose the calendar year or the last twelve months. Your calendar, photos or messages can help you remember. Three events are enough; you don't need a complete record of the year.
Describe instead of judging
Note what helped and what drained your energy as observations. A hard year is not a report card on you. Anything you drop can go on a “maybe later” list.
Short version: three questions
If the full review feels like too much, answer only: What helped? What will I drop? Which one focus should still be there in February?
Plan small and decide how to restart
Attach your focus to a moment that already happens in your day and set the smallest version that still counts. Decide in advance what applies after a break. Check the plan later in the weekly review. Copy or print before closing.

A completed example

Example: sorting a year and choosing one focus

Fictional example for illustration. Adjust events, times and plans to your own year.

What happened this year?: Fictional: Alex changed jobs in spring, moved in summer and started drawing again in autumn. This review doesn't need more events than that.
What helped, and what drained my energy?: The shopping list on the fridge and the Sunday walk with Sam helped. Many evening plans in a row and the paperwork after the move took a lot of energy. Alex notes this as an observation, not a verdict.
What do I want to keep?: The list on the fridge and the Sunday walk. Both already work in everyday life and don't need a new plan.
What will I drop or make smaller?: Alex agrees to no more than two evening plans a week. “Exercise every day” goes on the “maybe later” list: not deleted, just not right now.
One focus as an if-then plan: Focus: drawing regularly again. “If I get back from my Sunday walk, then I put my sketchbook on the table and draw one thing.”
Minimum version and restart rule: Minimum version: draw a single line. After a skipped week, only the minimum version applies the next Sunday. In the weekly review, Alex checks whether the cue fits. The template doesn't set any reminders.

Scope and reliable sources

This worksheet contains editorial suggestions for organization. The completed example is fictional, not a personal account or evidence of effectiveness.

Editorial responsibility: Max Anton Schneider. About Max

Published on November 9, 2026 · reviewed on November 9, 2026. This worksheet is a planning aid and does not replace medical or therapeutic advice. Entries are not saved or transmitted.

Common questions

How is this different from the weekly review?

The weekly review looks at a single week and tests one small adjustment. The year in review sorts a whole year and picks one focus for the next. They work well together: in the weekly review, you can later check whether your if-then plan works in everyday life.

Do I need to fill in every field?

No. Leave irrelevant fields blank and use the short version in the guide. If not much comes to mind, three events or a look at your calendar are enough. Example text is a placeholder; enter your own text before copying or printing.

Are my entries saved?

Entries stay only in the open page. Copy or print them before closing or reloading it. There is no automatic saving or connection to your MeinSystem account.

Can I use this without an account or keep a PDF?

Yes. Fill in the fields without signing in and copy the text. “Print” opens your browser’s print dialog; choose “Save as PDF” if available. “Clear” removes all entries.