Before the New Year Rush
A moment to reflect on who you’ve been, not just what you’ve done
This time of year invites noise. Plans, goals, resolutions, new systems.
Before you decide what you want to do next year, it’s worth pausing to look at what you’ve actually lived this year.
We Reflect Well on Setbacks. Poorly on Success.
Most people are well rehearsed in analysing what went wrong. We review mistakes. We replay errors. We dissect setbacks in detail but success often passes without reflection.
So before you look for problems to fix, ask:
What genuinely went well this year?
When was I at my best, and what allowed that to happen?
What strengths did I rely on without even noticing?
What do I want to protect, not improve, going into next year?
If you only ever study failure, you miss the patterns that actually work.
A Personal Check-In
Now strip away roles for a moment. Forget titles, results, and expectations.
Ask yourself:
What drained me this year?
What quietly gave me energy?
Where did I say yes when I should have said no?
What did I avoid because it felt uncomfortable, not because it was wrong?
And one deeper question that often gets skipped:
What kind of person was I being when no one was watching?
That answer matters more than most goals.
Then Put the Leader Hat Back On
Whether you lead a team, a family, or yourself, leadership leaves a trace.
Ask yourself:
How did people experience me this year?
When pressure rose, did I become clearer or more reactive?
Did I create space for others, or did I fill it?
What behaviour did I tolerate that quietly shaped the culture around me?
One Thought to Carry Forward
You don’t always need a reinvention. You need alignment. Next year might not need more intensity. It might be a matter of focus and intent.
Clarity over noise.
Consistency over motivation.
Three Quiet Questions for the Break
If you do nothing else over the next few days, sit with these:
What do I want more of in how I show up, not just what I achieve?
What do I need to stop pretending is working?
What kind of person do I want people to experience next year, under pressure as well as at my best?
Next Time
We’ll be back on The Making of a Leader and the role of personal values
Thanks for reading - and for being part of this space.
If there’s a question, challenge or idea you’d like me to explore in future posts, just hit the button below and let me know.
Best Wishes
Tom
This is just what I needed today. Thanks Tom 🙏