#82 - How To Create Your 2024 Resume
Dec 24, 2024
Create Your End-of-Year Resume: A Guy's Guide to Reflecting on Your Year
Originally featured on the Guy's Set podcast - a guy's guide to what should be talked about
As we approach the end of another year, most of us get caught up in the rush of holiday plans and New Year's resolutions. But before you start planning what you want to achieve next year, there's something powerful you should do first: create an "end-of-year resume" for your personal life.
Unlike your work resume that lists professional accomplishments, this personal resume captures the moments, relationships, and experiences that shaped who you became this year. It's a chance to give yourself the end-of-year review that no boss will ever provide.
Why Create an End-of-Year Resume?
We're great at updating our work resumes when we're job hunting, but we rarely take time to reflect on our personal growth and experiences. This exercise helps you:
Recognize your personal wins (not just professional ones)
Identify what truly matters to you
Process the year from a 10,000-foot view
Set meaningful goals based on real reflection, not just impulse
The 6 Essential Questions for Your End-of-Year Resume
1. Where did you go this year that you loved?
This doesn't have to be an exotic vacation. Maybe it was a camping trip with friends, a family visit to a new city, or even just a memorable night out that stuck with you. The key is identifying experiences that made you feel alive and connected.
Example: A three-day canoe trip down the Delaware River with friends - no phones, no distractions, just quality time reconnecting with people who matter.
2. What did you watch, listen to, or read that really impacted you?
Think about content that actually changed your perspective or introduced you to new ideas. Maybe it was a book that shifted how you think about creativity, a TV show that became your comfort watch, or a podcast that opened your mind to new possibilities.
Pro tip: Don't just list what was popular - focus on what personally resonated with you and why.
3. Who influenced you the most this year?
This could be anyone - a boss who became a mentor, a family member who supported you through challenges, or even a new friend who brought fresh energy to your life. The key is identifying someone who genuinely impacted how you see yourself or the world.
Reflection question: What did this person teach you about yourself or your potential?
4. What habit or routine did you develop and stick with?
Maybe you finally got serious about working out, started cooking more meals at home, or began taking daily walks. The goal isn't to impress anyone - it's to acknowledge the positive changes you actually made and maintained.
Remember: Consistency matters more than perfection. What felt like a small change that became part of who you are?
5. What did you want to do but didn't accomplish?
This isn't about beating yourself up. It's about honestly acknowledging where your intentions didn't match your actions. Maybe you wanted to keep your room organized, prioritize better sleep, or learn a new skill but never found the time.
Important: This isn't a failure list - it's just data for future decision-making.
6. What do you want to keep working on?
Based on everything above, what feels worth pursuing? This might be something from your "didn't accomplish" list, or it could be something entirely new that emerged from your reflection.
How to Get Started
If you're stuck, try these practical steps:
Scroll through your phone photos from January onwards - they'll trigger memories
Check your text messages from different months for conversation highlights
Think about people who made your days better (or worse)
Consider moments when you felt most like yourself
This exercise can take 10 minutes or an hour - whatever feels right for you. The goal isn't to create an exhaustive list but to identify the highlights and lowlights that really shaped your year.
From Reflection to Action
Once you've completed your end-of-year resume, use it as a foundation for planning next year. Ask yourself:
What do I want my 2025 resume to look like?
Who do I want to spend more time with?
What experiences do I want to prioritize?
What habits deserve more of my attention?
The Power of Monthly Check-ins
Consider doing a shorter version of this exercise monthly. A "January resume" or "March wrap-up" can help you stay connected to what's actually happening in your life rather than just going through the motions.
Your Turn
We don't often give ourselves permission to reflect on personal growth the way we analyze professional development. But the relationships you build, experiences you have, and person you become outside of work are just as important as any job accomplishment.
So before you dive into 2025 planning, take some time to acknowledge what 2024 actually looked like. You might be surprised by how much you've grown and what you've learned about yourself.
Want more insights on navigating life in your 20s? Listen to Guy's Set: A Guy's Guide to What Should Be Talked About, available on all podcast platforms. New episodes drop every Tuesday covering everything guys in their 20s actually want to discuss.
Connect with Guy's Set:
Email: josh@guyset.com
Social: @theguyset on all platforms
What would you add to your end-of-year resume? Share your thoughts and help make this framework even better for everyone.
This is your guide to goal-setting for 2025 and reflecting on 2024. Here's how to create your 2024 life resume and update it right now for the end of the year.
Questions or prompts to update your 2024 End Of Year Resume (write these down and answer them):
-Where I traveled:
-What I watched:
-What I read:
-What I did consistently:
-What I didn’t get to:
-What I want to work on:
P.S. Update your real resume too.
Connect with Guyset:
See you guys next Tuesday.
