I came across this post at The Financial Blogger and thought these were useful questions to ask of oneself as we head into the new year. I reproduce the questions from the post here.
1. What is the most amazing thing you did in 2011?
I don’t think ‘amazing’ is the most apt word for it, but the most significant event for me this year is the move back to HK. It’s a city I enjoy being in at this point in my life, even though I have my low moments too.
2. What are you going to do to make things even more amazing in 2012?

I want to visit a country I have never been before and that’s going to be Vietnam over the Easter break. Hurray! I also want to be really fit again and for that, I’d like to train up for either the HK Round Island outrigger race or the Oxfam Trailwalker charity race. The former would mean going back to paddling.
I also want to take up some courses conducted by the Hong Kong University. The uni conducts many short interesting courses and the one I’m eyeing for the first half of 2012 is an introductory course to the basics of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

3. What is the biggest mistake you made in 2011?
Can’t think of anything major.
4. Why have you not quit your job yet?
Note: you may have a really good reason and this will help you appreciate your job even more
Because I’ve only been at this job for 7.5 months and I should probably be sticking to this job to make my CV look a little better and because I need to be at a job for at least three years to make a bank more willing to loan me money should I be able to buy a flat in future.

5. Are you happy about where you are in your life?
Yes and no. While I don’t mind this job at this point in time, I don’t wish to be stuck in this place forever. I need to think of other avenues to explore and work towards them!
What the hell are you waiting for to change something if you answered no to the previous question???
Not the time to change yet – no energy and no money for it.

6. What is holding you back in your life? (what’s your biggest fear?)
Lack of money.

7. If you have only one word to describe your actions for 2012, what would it be?
Change
8. What do you want to do with your money?
Invest it and make it grow so that I can, hopefully, buy a small flat and also have a steady stream of passive income.
9. What is your daily source of energy? Of happiness?
The sun. Haha. No, it’s true, I like seeing the sun high in the sky and shining brightly. My mood is a little better just by seeing that the weather’s good. On a more philosophical note, I look forward to weekends where I can get outdoors and go hiking. I love being out in nature and that makes me happy; I get that balance from being outdoors.
I’m happy knowing that many of my family and friends are happy and healthy. I’m happy knowing that I have friends in different parts of the world whom I still keep in touch with. I’m happy knowing that I have people out there who read the ramblings on this blog that I’ve kept for 8.5 years – it’s been the only constant in my life all these years and the only thing I’ve been committed to! Haha!
10. Where do you want to be in 5 years?

Location-wise, probably still in Hong Kong. I want to have saved up more money. Maybe married by then with a kid or two??? Well, like it or not, my biological clock is ticking away but unfortunately no one’s picking this clock up…

11. How are you going to get there? (the how is more important than the where ;-0 )
Be more disciplined with my spending, eat out less, find more freelance work. As for the personal life part, I guess I just have to make myself go out more and just stop being a hermit!
12. If you had to start something over, what would it be?
I wouldn’t study what I did in university, i.e. Mass Communications. On hindsight, my uni mates and I have concluded that it’s a pretty useless course. I’d have gone into something totally different like Traditional Chinese Medicine.

13. Why are you not starting it over, then? (it’s never too late to redo something for the first time)
Lack of money and still weighing up if it’s worth doing such a long part-time course at this age. Working full-time and studying part-time is no easy feat.
14. What are you grateful for?
My family, friends and health.
15. What would be the most amazing thing that could happen to you in 2012?
Would it be extremely lame to say to meet someone special?
16. What are the 3 things you will do so this has a chance of happening?
1 – go out and take part in activities I enjoy to meet people
2 – don’t know; someone please tell me
3 – don’t know; someone please tell me
17. Tell me 1 thing that makes you smile every single day of your life?

Hearing from family and friends

18. If you could go back in time and tell yourself something you didn’t know 10 years ago, what would it be?
Study something different, save more and invest more wisely, date more, go out more. Don’t be afraid of change – explore the world as much as you can when you’re young and have nothing much to lose!
19. What would “you in 10 years” tell yourself today so you have a great 10 years in front of yourself?
Save more, invest wisely, go out more. Be comfortable with being alone.
20. Name one person you want to help in 2012 and how you will help him/her?

Can’t think of anyone in particular. Maybe I’ll go sponsor a dog or moon bear at some animal shelter instead. I have more compassion for these animals than I do people.
Anyhow, 2011 has been a pretty good year overall and here’s to a fab 2012! Happy new year, everyone!