3 Strategies for Pausing and Reflecting in December to Start Strong in 2024

“You didn’t come this far …. to only come this far.” - Unknown

When December 1st arrived, I was ready to hustle through the holidays to reach my year-end goals. Buying gifts, shipping and sending, creating holiday cards, finding the holiday list and hand writing addresses, traveling to California with my fiance to introduce him to my family and friends, making sales calls, working the CRM, delivering client gifts, writing blogs, answering emails, posting on social media, balancing accounts, and reviewing financials. You know the drill.

But then COVID struck me, and it took a toll. I had no energy and felt fatigued, wanting nothing but sleep. I was frustrated because I had big plans to end this year with a bang. For a while, I felt sorry for myself and became frustrated that I wasn't pursuing my goals with the same vigor.

Then, I decided to surrender and re-frame the downtime as a pause.

It was an opportunity to reflect on the progress in my business and with my family over the last 11 months. My senior high school twin sons finished the arduous process of applying for colleges. One was accepted into his top choice, the University of Arizona, so he is now enrolled. It's a relief to know where he will be going next year. My other son is still waiting to hear from his top choice, the University of Washington. They make decisions in March, so we have to be patient and "pause."

Taking the time to reflect gave me a new perspective. It allowed me to be grateful for 2023 milestones, such as getting engaged, publishing my first book, giving several speeches, and forming partnerships with incredible clients. I also acknowledged the numerous failures I encountered along the way. These failures served as course corrections, showing me what wasn't working and allowing me to change direction and try again. I faced many rejections - with potential clients and speaking opportunities - that tested my determination and will hopefully make me stronger.

My new motto: You didn’t come this far … to only come this far. 

When it comes to work hustle in December, leaders have an opportunity to set themselves up for success in 2024. December is not just a backdrop of festive decorations and year-end celebrations; it has the potential to become a pivotal moment of reflection, evaluation, and strategic planning.

Many people I talk to are incredibly burned out from overwhelming professional and personal stressors.

COVID taught me that December can be an opportune time to pause and recharge - if you don’t proactively rest, your body may break down like mine did and force the pause.

Said another way, your body will “Force Quit” in Apple computer terms.

If you are navigating daily drama, politics, and the threat of silos, take a moment (or a day or a week+) to re-calibrate, reassess, and lay the foundation for a robust start in 2024.

Leverage the holidays to rest and rejuvenate. Do less. Prioritize what really matters. When January arrives, you will be rewarded with more energy to do the important work of leadership.

Here are three areas to consider in 2024:

1. Evaluate Your Cultural Compass

Do you have a strategic culture plan, and are you measuring employee sentiment? Ask pivotal questions: Is the team thriving or entangled in unproductive drama and silos? Scrutinize operational effectiveness, identify areas for improvement, and shape a culture that reflects your values and propels success.

2. Dive into Employee Experiences

Understand the current state of the employee experience. Use surveys, focus groups, and one-on-one conversations to gather feedback. Aggregate and share results. Then make a plan for enhancements.

3. Set Focus Areas for 2024

No need to boil the ocean. In the end, people really want to feel valued, respected, and appreciated. Chart your strategy for the upcoming year, building upon accomplishments in 2023. You will see this commitment to culture drive better customer service, revenue, and profit.

Embrace a healthy, empowering, and inclusive culture as the catalyst for innovation and growth.

Wishing you a happy, healthy, restful holiday season filled with joy, connection, and laughter.