Reviewing the Four Squares of Life

It’s that time of year. Time to look back over the past twelve months and reflect on the year that’s been. Just like at the end of a project, you want to review what went well, what could have gone better, what lessons were learned and what does that mean for future projects.

When we do this for our own life, taking the time to reflect on the past year, what worked and what did not; extracting the lessons before rushing headlong into the New Year, we consciously choose to live from a wiser perspective.

The Four Squares of Life

Health, wealth, relationships and self expression – those are the four major areas of our life. The author Florence Scovel Shinn calls it the squares of life that make up the game of life. It seems to me an ideal lens through which to review the past year.

Let’s start with what these four quadrants mean to you. I have elaborated on my definitions below. These are not finite, so add or delete as per your understanding, making it meaningful for you.

Health: What you eat, drink, exercise and the habits and factors that denote health for you.

Wealth: Here we’re talking about income, earnings, expenses, spending, saving, investing, budgeting, retirement planning, education funds and so on. For myself, I have added in gifts, awards, rewards and freebies – anything that came my way for which I did not have to pay. For example, being taken out to dinner; being taken on holiday.

Relationships: Your loved ones, your special relationship if you have one, family, friends and those all important relationships – your relationship with yourself and your relationship with your Creator.

Self-Expression: How do you show up in the world? Do you do what you love or what others expect you to do? How are you uniquely you and how do you express that in the world through what you do and who you are?

The Four Square Review

Looking at each quadrant in turn, ask yourself

What went well?
What could have gone better?
What would you do differently if you could do it again?
What did you learn?
What will you do differently as a result?

When you are done, identify the five things you are most proud of. What stands out for you?

Acknowledge yourself and celebrate!

So often we do things really well, achieve a major goal, prevail against overwhelming odds and then simply move on without acknowledging ourselves. Take a look at your list of things you are most proud of. Now take a moment to acknowledge yourself. Here’s some ideas:

Write a letter of congratulations to yourself and post it – yes, to yourself.
Write that letter and go read it aloud in front of a mirror.
Look yourself in the eye and say ‘Well done! I am proud of you and I love you!’ Say it again; this time like you MEAN it!

Now list three ways in which you could celebrate with a little gift to your wonderful self. Choose one – go and do it!

Worksheet

You can download this worksheet to help you with the review. Personally I use the questions as a guide and to stimulate my thinking; so don’t feel bound by them. Just write what comes to mind and add new or different questions when they arise. There is no right or wrong way. Most importantly, enjoy the process 🙂