Podcast Summary: "How to Make Next Year the Best Year: Ask Yourself These 7 Questions"

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Mel Robbins Podcast
• Host: Mel Robbins
• Episode Title: How to Make Next Year the Best Year: Ask Yourself These 7 Questions
• Release Date: December 26, 2024
• Description: Mel Robbins guides listeners through a powerful annual audit process using seven transformative questions to unlock personal growth and set the stage for an exceptional upcoming year.

Introduction: Embracing the Annual Audit

Mel Robbins opens the episode by introducing the concept of conducting a yearly audit—a reflective process she and her family have practiced for over two decades. She emphasizes the significance of reviewing the past 12 months to harness forgotten wisdom and lessons, which can then inform and enhance goal-setting for the next year.

"There are seven questions that you need to answer that are gonna unlock all of the wisdom and lessons and amazing things that have happened to you in the last 12 months, all of which you've probably forgotten."
— Mel Robbins [00:00]

Question 1: What Were the Highlights from the Past Year?

Mel encourages listeners to revisit their camera rolls to jog memories and identify memorable moments. She shares her personal highlights, such as visiting her daughter in California, engaging in unique experiences like flamingo yoga, and celebrating significant family milestones like her daughter Kendall’s performance at Carnegie Hall.

"It's important to know where you are. In fact, I always think about planning and goal setting in this time of year, like creating a set of directions."
— Mel Robbins [02:31]

Key Insights:

• Joy Identification: Recognizing moments that brought happiness helps prioritize what to cultivate in the upcoming year.
• Data Collection: Highlights serve as personal data points to inform future directions.
• Emotional Connection: Reflecting on joyful experiences reinforces what truly matters.

Question 2: What Were Some of the Hardest Parts This Year?

Mel delves into the challenges she faced, including health struggles during menopause, the emotional toll of her son Oakley's college rejections, and witnessing her daughter Sawyer's devastating breakup. She discusses the importance of allowing loved ones to navigate their own difficulties without stepping in to fix them, aligning with her "Let Them Theory."

"One of the things that makes you really proud and are gonna be really big accomplishments, and they're also very hard, and that's okay."
— Mel Robbins [14:45]

Key Insights:

• Acceptance of Struggles: Acknowledging difficult times is crucial for personal growth.
• Supporting Without Rescuing: Empowering others to handle their challenges fosters stronger relationships.
• Balancing Success and Hardship: Achievements often come with significant challenges.

Question 3: What Did You Learn About Yourself This Year?

Mel shares profound self-discoveries, such as recognizing her limitations in managing business operations and understanding the need to protect her peace by limiting engagements that cause friction. She highlights the importance of self-awareness in identifying roles and situations that no longer align with one's strengths and well-being.

"Any area of your life this year where you have felt friction or frustration, you're in the wrong role. You're in the wrong seat in the bus."
— Mel Robbins [22:10]

Key Insights:

• Self-Awareness: Understanding personal strengths and limitations is essential for effective decision-making.
• Role Alignment: Being in the right roles minimizes stress and maximizes fulfillment.
• Emotional Regulation: Protecting one’s peace leads to healthier relationships and personal satisfaction.

Question 4: What Are You Going to Stop Doing in the Coming Year?

Drawing from her business planning experience, Mel introduces the Stop, Start, Continue framework. She decides to stop overcommitting, such as reducing keynote speeches and ceasing to manage her kids' problems directly. This cessation allows her to focus on what truly matters and maintain her well-being.

"I'm going to stop allowing myself to stay in projects or situations where I feel that friction or frustration."
— Mel Robbins [28:15]

Key Insights:

• Prioritization: Letting go of non-essential commitments creates space for meaningful activities.
• Boundary Setting: Establishing clear boundaries protects mental and emotional health.
• Focus on Core Priorities: Concentrating on key areas enhances productivity and satisfaction.

Question 5: What Are You Going to Start Doing in the Coming Year?

Mel reflects on unachieved goals from the previous year, such as regular strength training, and gains insights into her personal habits that hinder success, like shopping when hungry. She decides to adopt more disciplined practices, focus on core activities, and create an environment conducive to her well-being.

"I need to stop adding things, and that means focus on the things that actually work, which is this podcast."
— Mel Robbins [31:50]

Key Insights:

• Habit Formation: Identifying and altering detrimental habits leads to positive changes.
• Discipline and Focus: Concentrating on a few essential goals increases the likelihood of success.
• Environmental Cues: Adjusting surroundings can support new, healthy behaviors.

Question 6: What Are You Going to Continue Doing in the Next Year?

Mel emphasizes maintaining positive habits that contribute to her happiness and well-being. She decides to continue limiting alcohol consumption and adhering to her "Let Them Theory," which involves allowing others the space to handle their own challenges. This continuation fosters personal peace and healthier relationships.

"I'm very proud of limiting my alcohol and using the let them theory."
— Mel Robbins [34:20]

Key Insights:

• Consistency: Continuing beneficial habits sustains personal growth and stability.
• Empowerment of Others: Letting others manage their issues independently enriches relationships and personal peace.
• Self-Care: Maintaining practices that support mental and emotional health is vital for long-term well-being.

Question 7: What Can You Do Today to Take That First Step?

Mel encourages immediate action by identifying small, actionable steps aligned with the newly formed directions from the audit. Whether it’s planning a future activity, scheduling time with loved ones, or adjusting daily habits, taking the first step solidifies commitment to positive change.

"What can you do today to take that first step in that set of directions?"
— Mel Robbins [36:50]

Key Insights:

• Immediate Action: Taking the first step today prevents procrastination and initiates change.
• Small Steps: Breaking down goals into manageable actions makes them achievable.
• Accountability: Sharing the audit process with others can enhance commitment and support.

Conclusion: Creating Your Best Year Ever

Mel wraps up the episode by summarizing the seven-question audit and reiterating its power to transform one's life by fostering self-awareness and intentional planning. She urges listeners to share the process with loved ones to amplify its benefits and create a collective journey toward personal excellence.

"There is no doubt in my mind you're going to be surprised by what you find."
— Mel Robbins [55:10]

Final Takeaways:

• Reflective Practice: Regular self-audits are pivotal for continuous personal growth.
• Community Sharing: Engaging others in the process enhances mutual understanding and support.
• Empowerment: Believing in one’s ability to create a better life is the cornerstone of achieving it.

Notable Quotes:

1. On the Importance of Reflection:

   "These seven questions, they're going to unlock it. They're going to teach you all the lessons and all the wisdom and all the things that you need to know to create the plan to make next year one of the best years of your life."
   — Mel Robbins [00:00]

2. On Letting Go to Gain Control:

   "The more you give up control, the more control you gain, the more power you have."
   — Mel Robbins [34:50]

3. On Self-Awareness and Role Alignment:

   "Any area of your life this year where you have felt friction or frustration, you're in the wrong role. You're in the wrong seat in the bus."
   — Mel Robbins [22:10]

4. On Immediate Action:

   "Before you jump into planning your next year, you need to know exactly where you're at by auditing the past year using these seven questions."
   — Mel Robbins [36:50]

Conclusion

In this empowering episode, Mel Robbins provides a structured yet deeply personal framework for listeners to reflect on their past year and strategically plan for the next. By systematically addressing highlights, challenges, self-discoveries, and actionable steps, she equips her audience with the tools necessary to make informed decisions that lead to a more fulfilling and successful year ahead. Her relatable anecdotes and practical advice resonate, making the process accessible and impactful for anyone seeking meaningful change.

Resources Mentioned:

• Let Them Theory Book: A deeper dive into Mel’s philosophy on allowing others to handle their own challenges.
• Mel Robbins Website: https://www.melrobbins.com for additional resources and episode details.

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