Sahil Bloom's Personal Annual Review: A 7-Question Framework for Meaningful Reflection
by Sahil Bloom
Sahil Bloom's Personal Annual Review offers a thoughtful middle ground between minimalist frameworks and comprehensive workbooks. With seven carefully crafted questions, it provides enough structure to guide meaningful reflection without becoming overwhelming.
What makes Bloom's approach unique is its focus on energy and emotion. Rather than just cataloging achievements, the framework asks you to examine what energized you, what drained you, and what fears held you back. This emotional intelligence lens adds depth that purely goal-focused reviews often miss.
What is Personal Annual Review?
The Personal Annual Review is a 7-question framework designed to help you understand not just what happened in your year, but how you felt about it and why. The questions cover changes, energy levels, fears, relationships, and lessons learned.
Sahil Bloom developed this framework through his popular newsletter, where he writes about growth, decision-making, and living a meaningful life. His approach emphasizes self-awareness and emotional honesty as foundations for genuine growth.
How to Use Personal Annual Review
- 1
Block 1-2 hours of uninterrupted time for deep reflection
- 2
Answer each of the 7 questions thoughtfully, taking time to explore your honest responses
- 3
Track your energy patterns — What activities and people gave you energy vs. drained you?
- 4
Examine your fears — What held you back this year? What would you do if you weren't afraid?
- 5
Identify key relationships — Who were the most important people in your year?
- 6
Extract lessons — What did you learn that you want to carry forward?
- 7
Set intentions based on your insights for the coming year
Who is Personal Annual Review Best For?
- Self-aware individuals interested in emotional intelligence
- Newsletter readers familiar with Bloom's writing style
- Those seeking balance between simple and comprehensive reviews
- People working on fear and limiting beliefs as growth areas
- Relationship-focused reflectors who value interpersonal insights
Key Features
7 Targeted Questions
Enough depth without overwhelming complexity.
Energy Tracking
Identify what energizes and drains you.
Fear Analysis
Examine limiting beliefs and what held you back.
Relationship Focus
Reflect on the people who mattered most.
Lesson Extraction
Capture key learnings to carry forward.
Downloadable PDF
Print-friendly format for analog reflection.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the Personal Annual Review take?
Plan for 1-2 hours. The seven questions are designed to prompt deep thinking, so give yourself time to reflect thoroughly.
What makes this different from other 'question-based' reviews?
The focus on energy and fear sets it apart. Most reviews focus on achievements and goals; Bloom's framework digs into the emotional experience of your year.
Is there a template or worksheet?
Yes, Sahil provides a downloadable PDF with the questions and space for your answers. You can also simply use a notebook or document.
Who is Sahil Bloom?
Sahil Bloom is an entrepreneur, investor, and writer with a popular newsletter focused on growth and decision-making. He previously worked in finance and venture capital.
Can I skip questions that don't resonate?
Yes, though the questions about fear and energy often yield the most surprising insights. Consider sitting with uncomfortable questions before skipping them.
How does this compare to Tim Ferriss's Past Year Review?
Ferriss's method is quicker and more data-driven (calendar-based). Bloom's is more introspective and emotion-focused. Many people find value in doing both.
Ready to Start Your Reflection?
Download Personal Annual Review for free and begin your year-end reflection journey today.