Part 1: Three Simple Steps to Reflect, Celebrate, and Move Forward with Momentum
You may have heard me say before that this time of year is my absolute favorite. I live for the holidays. In my house, it is not uncommon for the Christmas decorations to be up early. I know some of you can't fathom that, and that's okay! We all have our own personal joys, and the holiday season is one of mine. 🎄
But I have to admit, the start of December can sometimes feel like a professional slump.
I’m usually riding a post-festive food coma, and the extra time off that I enjoy so much can disrupt my normal routine. The “reentry” into work can be tricky because momentum slows down. Work has its rhythm, and when you step away, it can take a little effort to get back into the swing of things. You might experience a mini "vacation brain" while also anticipating holiday breaks.
And yet, we plan our goals for the full twelve months of the year, not just eleven. So it’s important to rally ourselves for a final, powerful finish. 💪
To help break out of this lull and reignite focus, here’s my three-step strategic approach 🧭. It helps me focus on year-end priorities first and then pivot to the exciting vision I’m building for the year ahead, keeping momentum high.
Step 1: The December Power Session – Review, Acknowledge, and Adjust
This isn’t the time for deep, complicated new projects. December is about intentional focus and recognizing how far you’ve come. Pull out your goals and take a hard look: What did you accomplish? What needs a final push to get over the finish line? Clarity in year-end planning is about deciding what to prioritize and what to strategically postpone for the new year. Giving yourself permission to shift less critical items is a powerful leadership move.
Step 2: Tally Up Your Wins
One of my favorite parts of this season is looking back at all the unexpected wins that happened throughout the year. So often, we accomplish things that never even made it onto our goal sheets—like a new job, a challenging project, or a breakthrough skill. Your Wins List is your fuel. Use the pride and energy from these accomplishments to power through the final weeks.
Step 3: Begin Dreaming and Theming for Next Year
Once your year-end priorities are settled, the perfect way to maintain momentum is to start planning for the excitement ahead. I start my visioning for the new year now because it is an incredible motivator. I get excited about what I’m going to focus on achieving, learning, and experiencing. This is the ideal time to explore possibilities and experiment with a theme for the upcoming year.
What About You?
I’d love to hear your thoughts:
Do you experience a slump toward the end of the year?
How do you feel when you look at your goals?
Do you make a Wins List to capture all the things you’ve accomplished?
💡 Need Clarity to Plan Your Next Breakthrough?
If you're struggling to identify your strengths and where to focus for maximum impact, you don’t have to keep guessing! Check out the free Breakthrough Formula Generator. It helps you uncover your core strengths and growth areas so you can set intentional, high-impact goals for the year ahead: https://jennlandis.com/generatortool