My First Million
The best business ideas come from noticing what's working and doing it better, faster, or for a different audience.
Create a comprehensive review of the past year to identify accomplishments, gaps, and lessons learned
Anyone who wants to learn from their past year and feel good about their accomplishments before planning the next year
20-30 minutes for basic review, up to 1 hour for comprehensive versionWhat Success Looks Like
A one-page summary of your year's highlights that makes you feel proud of what you accomplished and clear about what you want to do differently.
Steps to Execute
Go through your phone photos month by month
Write down all major highlights and experiences on one page
Review your calendar for forgotten events and trips
Note patterns about what energized vs drained you
Identify gaps where you wish you'd done more
Create or compile a photo book/album of key memories
Reflect on what worked well and what didn't
Checklist
Inputs Needed
- Access to phone photos and calendar
- Notebook or document for writing
- 20-30 minutes of quiet reflection time
- Optional: photo printing or digital album creation tools
Outputs
- Comprehensive record of your year
- Increased gratitude and appreciation for experiences
- Clear patterns about what brings fulfillment
- Foundation for planning the upcoming year
- Tangible keepsake of memories
Example
“A entrepreneur reviews their phone photos and realizes they forgot about a weekend camping trip with friends, a successful product launch, and their child's first soccer goal, creating a photo book that reminds them how full and meaningful their year actually was.”
Related Knowledge
Itzler Annual Planning System
A three-step system for intentional year planning: getting light (decluttering), closing out the previous year (reflection and gratitude), and setting one year-defining goal (misogi).
Calendar as Autobiography Framework
Viewing your calendar as your most honest autobiography and highlight reel - what you put energy toward reveals your true priorities and creates the story of your life.
procrastination_on_planning
Create mental and physical space for the new year by eliminating clutter and unused commitments
Coming into the new year feeling light, organized, and ready to take action without the weight of accumulated clutter and obligations.
CEO of Your Life
Thinking of yourself as the chief executive of your personal life, with the authority and responsibility to make strategic decisions about how you spend your time and energy.
Momentum Through Small Actions
Starting big projects with the smallest possible action to build psychological momentum, rather than waiting until you feel ready to tackle the whole thing.