My craziest – and best – idea of 2014 was to take three days off for an end-of-year retreat, a week before Christmas. It was crazy because mid-December is the least practical period for a time-out, with the pressures of end-of-year work deadlines and holiday preparations in full swing.

And yet, it was also the perfect time to take a pause – to reflect on the year that has passed, to dream and scheme for the year to come, and to re-charge batteries before the onslaught of the holidays. (Since becoming a parent, I use words like “onslaught” in describing the holidays. Kind of sad, I know! Hence, the need for this kind of retreat.)

Two dear friends were crazy enough to be convinced to join me on this retreat. All the pieces came together – a fantastic discount at a wellness spa resort that has long been on my bucket list of places to visit, and the support of our respective spouses.

And so the three of us ended up in a tropical paradise for a time of reflection, rest, and re-creation. We did yoga, had spa treatments by the pool, and discovered that “vegan” and “raw” can also be synonymous with “delicious.” We each spent time in solitude, thinking back on 2014 and envisioning what we want to do, create, and be in 2015. We came together to share insights, struggles, and goals.

It worked out so well, I hope to make it an annual tradition.

I invite you to do the same, albeit in your own way. You may not be as crazy as me, and decide to take three days off at the busiest and most stressful time of your year. You may not be in the financial position to spend time at a resort. You may not relish the idea of doing yoga under palm trees, or eating raw vegan food. But in your own way, you can still hit the “pause” button, reflect on the past year, and plan for the year to come.

All you need is about 90 minutes of quiet, and some questions to guide your reflection. As my gift to you, I am sharing the worksheet that my friends and I used during our retreat, “Three Steps to a Great New Year (2015 edition).”

I invite you to print it out, pour yourself a cup of coffee/tea, and grab your favorite writing utensil. Answer the worksheet questions at your leisure.

I hope that this reflection process will help you appreciate the year that is coming to a close, and generate excitement and joy for the year that is to come.

P.S. I’m curious: What was your craziest, and/or best idea in 2014?