Many of us were taught to review our lives the way an auditor reviews a budget — hunting for shortfalls, tallying what’s missing, and resolving to do better. It feels responsible, but it rarely leaves us feeling hopeful, energized, or clear about what comes next.

There’s another way to look back on your year. It’s the way skilled coaches invite their clients to look at their lives every day, and it begins with one simple but powerful shift.