We’re approaching the end of November, and before you know it, this year will be over. If you’re like many executives and leaders I work with, the past eleven months have likely been a whirlwind of decisions, problem-solving, and strategic pivots.
Now, as the year draws to a close, this cacophony of demands are competing loudly for our attention: year-end deadlines, deliverables, and objectives, holiday plans, and a persistent pressure to think ahead. It can feel overwhelming, much like the relentless blanket of tinny holiday music playing everywhere this time of year.
It’s so easy to get lost in this din, but what if we took a powerful pause? What if we step back from the hustle of deliverables and the noise of social expectations, to reflect on the year we’ve just experienced? Reflection isn’t just a feel-good exercise; it’s a leadership tool that turns hindsight into insight. This single act of pausing to reflect could be a game-changer for the road ahead.
As high-performing leaders know that impactful forward momentum often starts with purposeful reflection. In my executive coaching practice, I encourage clients to conduct an annual ‘Year in Review’ practice. This process goes beyond tallying wins and losses; it’s a focused exploration of the intentions you set at the start of the year, the journey you’ve been on (both professionally and personally), the lessons learned from their experiences, and where they want to go in the future. It’s about uncovering patterns – positive and negative, identifying and challenging limiting beliefs, clarifying priorities, and laying the foundation for intentional growth.
The timing for this exercise is perfect. Starting your reflection in early December gives you the space to recalibrate before diving into the new year. So, let’s hit the pause button for a moment. Before you dive headfirst into planning what’s next, take a moment to ask yourself two critical questions: How did I get here? And where do I want to go next?
STEP 1: Reflect on Your Year
Think of your life as a book, with each year representing a new chapter. This is your opportunity to review the chapters that have already been written, to uncover recurring themes, to see how this year’s chapter fits into your overall story, and to decide how you want the next chapter to unfold.
Start by setting the stage for your review:
Find a quiet space where you won’t be interrupted.
Bring tools that help you capture your thoughts: a journal, digital notebook, or voice recorder app.
Set aside at least an hour for this process to ensure depth and focus.
Now, dive into these reflection prompts:
1. What worked?
Look back at the moments when you felt aligned, accomplished, brave, energized, or proud. What decisions, habits, or relationships contributed to those successes? One of my clients, am SVP at an insurance company, discovered that her most impactful projects came from effective delegation. Not only did this alleviate her capacity challenges, but it also created a career development opportunity for an up-and-coming Director. This insight became a catalyst for how they would revamp their talent development system the following year.
2. What didn’t work?
This isn’t about self-criticism—it’s about curiosity. What efforts didn’t pan out, and why? Where did things feel off-track? What unproductive or unintended results emerged? A client once shared how, through this reflection practice, he realized that at the beginning of every year, he would overcommit himself in Q1 by taking on too many projects that didn’t align with his long-term goals. Once he identified this pattern, it allowed him to shift his approach: he committed to saying “no” more often in the future, making the mental space for him to be more discerning with what he said “yes” to.
3. What surprised you?
It’s often the unexpected moments - both positive and challenging - that shape us the most. Did you navigate a crisis with grace and strength you didn’t know you had? Did you make spontaneous decisions that led to amazing outcomes? Were you surprised at what opportunities opened up as a result of trusting your instincts?
4. What will you leave behind?
Growth requires creating space for what truly matters, which often means letting go of what no longer serves you. Is it a limiting belief? An unproductive habit? Or perhaps a role or commitment that no longer aligns with your values? As you reflect, remember to think of your life as a book: How will you clear the page to write a meaningful next chapter?
STEP 2: Choosing Your Word of the Year
Once you’ve sifted through your reflections, it’s time to look ahead with clarity. One simple but profound way to focus your intentions is by choosing a Word of the Year.
This word acts as your North Star—a guiding principle that helps you make decisions, prioritize, and stay grounded in what matters most. It’s less about setting rigid goals and more about defining the energy, mindset, or intention you want to carry into the new year.
How to Choose Your Word
1. Look for themes in your reflection.
What patterns emerged from your review? If you noticed a need for better boundaries, perhaps your word is No. If your highlights revolved around creativity, your word might be Innovate. The CEO of a national manufacturing company told me about a bold experiment he tried last year: launching a pilot program to test same-day delivery in select locations. The program required cross-departmental collaboration, quick problem-solving, and innovative thinking - qualities he loved seeing in action. To his surprise, the program not only exceeded revenue projections but also revealed untapped talent and creativity within his team. He realized that these results were born from taking calculated risks and empowering his team to innovate. He set a clear intention for the next year: to prioritize initiatives that foster collaboration and bold experimentation. As a result, he intends to scale up the business next year while keeping his team engaged and motivated.
2. Think about your aspirations.
What would make 2025 feel successful - not just professionally, but personally as well? One client, a CFO balancing high stakes work with parenting, chose the word Presence to remind herself to stay engaged in the moment, whether at the office or the dinner table.
3. Make it personal and inspiring.
Avoid words that feel trendy or vague. Your word should resonate deeply with you. Once you’ve chosen your word, give it a place of honor. One of my clients wrote hers on the first page of her planner. Another set it as a weekly calendar reminder. And another created a colourful painting of her word to hang in her office. These small acts keep the intention front and center.
Here are a few examples of words and the themes they can represent. Remember that your word should be deeply meaningful to you, so if you don’t see one that really resonates for you, find a word that does.
Abundance: Focusing on opportunities, growth, creating a mindset of plenty rather than scarcity.
Alignment: Ensuring your actions, values, and goals are in harmony.
Authenticity: Leading with your true self, building trust, encouraging openness.
Balance: Managing work, life, and personal well-being with greater harmony.
Clarity: Clear vision, focused decision-making, and transparent communication.
Collaboration: Working more closely with others, creating synergies, building stronger teams.
Confidence: Strengthening self-belief, taking decisive action, trusting your judgment.
Connection: Building deeper relationships with your team, peers, clients, family.
Courage: Taking bold risks, making tough decisions, stepping out of your comfort zone.
Empowerment: Giving yourself and others the tools, authority, and confidence to take initiative.
Focus: Prioritizing what matters most, eliminating distractions, staying on track.
Freedom: Gaining autonomy in your decisions, actions, lifestyle choices.
Generosity: Giving more of your time, knowledge, or resources to support others.
Gratitude: Fostering appreciation for both big wins and small victories, finding joy in everyday moments.
Growth: Personal development, business expansion, learning, career development.
Impact: Making meaningful contributions, both professionally and personally, that leave a lasting legacy.
Inclusion: Fostering an environment where all voices are heard, valued, and respected, promoting diversity and equity in decision-making, ensuring equal opportunities for all.
Innovation: Introducing new ideas, processes, technologies that drive change.
Integrity: Staying true to your values, being authentic, holding yourself accountable.
Joy: Finding fulfillment and pleasure in both work and personal life.
Mastery: Committing to honing your skills, becoming an expert, excelling in your field.
Mindfulness: Staying present, reducing stress, cultivating awareness in every aspect of your life.
Patience: Cultivating the ability to wait, listen, allow things to unfold at their own pace.
Presence: Being fully engaged in the moment, enhancing focus, being mindful in your interactions.
Purpose: Deepening your understanding of what truly drives you and aligning your actions with your mission.
Resilience: Bouncing back from challenges, maintaining strength in tough times, staying adaptable.
Service: Helping others, adding value to your community, creating a positive influence.
Simplicity: Streamlining processes, reducing clutter, focusing on what truly matters.
Sustainability: Prioritizing long-term health, work-life balance, eco-friendly practices in your personal and professional life.
Transformation: Embracing change, personal reinvention, leading transformative projects or teams.
Vision: Creating a compelling future, setting ambitious goals, inspiring others.
STEP 3: Bridging Reflection and Action
Reflection and intention-setting are valuable on their own, but their true power lies in translating them into action. Here are a few ways to bring the process to life:
1. Turn your lessons into strategies: For example, if you noticed a pattern of over-committing, create a filter you can use for saying “yes” in the future. One of my clients asks herself, “Will this move me closer to, or further away from my vision?” before agreeing to new projects.
2. Anchor your word in your habits: Let’s say your word is Balance. What specific changes will help you live that word? Perhaps it’s blocking off time for self-care or limiting after-hours emails. Or looking for as many examples of balance in your life as you can find – what we go looking for, we usually find.
3. Share your word: Accountability is a game-changer. Share your word with a coach, mentor, trusted friend, or family member. One leader I worked with even shared hers with her entire team, framing it as a shared commitment to living the value of Transparency.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Leadership is about more than just driving results - it’s about intentional growth. Taking time for a Year in Review and choosing a Word of the Year isn’t just a reflective exercise; it’s a powerful leadership development practice.
When you understand where you’ve been and where you want to go, you can lead yourself - and others - with clarity, purpose, and confidence.
As the saying goes, “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” Before the December cacophony takes over, pause to reflect on your story so far, so you can be intentional about the next chapter you’re about to write.
YOUR TURN
Ready to give this a try? Schedule some reflection time before the new year. And when you’ve chosen your Word of the Year, I’d love to hear it, so message me!
Here’s to closing this year with insight, and to writing the next one with intention and greater awareness. Onward to your next great chapter!
