Is it my imagination, or has something changed in Australia in the lead-up to Christmas? In years past, we used to refer to the ‘Australian Shutdown.’ This name was code for business slowing down, customers deferring decisions, office end-of-year functions, and people winding down after a busy year. I have experienced the opposite for the last three years, and many business colleagues and associates have confirmed this trend in their environments.

If that’s you, you’re probably feeling physically, emotionally, and mentally tired. On the other hand, you may have taken a holiday in November and are still very energized.

Regardless of your circumstances, it’s a very healthy practice to find space in the diary to stop, be still, and reflect on the year that was for you. It’s personally beneficial to reflect on your accomplishments, progress toward personal and work goals, challenges you’ve faced, what you’ve learned about yourself, and how you have grown as a person and as a leader.

Equally, finding quality time to focus on those ‘big rocks’ that you need to start and/or finish in 2025 is a worthwhile discipline to adopt.

The ideal time for such a practice is either before heading off on holiday in December or in January before returning to your business or the work environment.

Getting To The Specifics

If we’re not intentionally and consciously aware of the value of this practice, we can easily finish one year and slip into the next without any consideration for:

• Practices and behaviors we need to stop,
• Start,
• Do more of, or
• Less of

If this cycle of never slowing down to breathe continues year after year, it can deleteriously impact our health and well-being. However, if we make time in our diaries to reflect and plan, we will learn and increase our self-awareness and perspective on different aspects of our personal and professional lives.

So, how can I make this work, I hear you say!

A Practical Framework

Here is a practical framework for setting yourself up for success in this area and making it a rewarding experience:

1. Be intentional and committed

 It sounds obvious, but it’s always important to ask why am I doing this (purpose) and what would I like to see as an outcome (impact and change)?

Tip: If we keep working ‘in’ things but never work ‘on’ ourselves, how will we ever learn, grow, appreciate, refresh, and sustain ourselves?

Therefore, consider the richness and benefit of this exercise to yourself and indirectly to those you value and interact with in your personal and professional life.

2. Diary as your friend

Business leaders I coach will often bemoan that they never have sufficient time to work “on” their business as people and other distractions fill up their day. If you schedule time in your diary for ‘working on’ self or on your business, then it becomes easier to say no to people who simply want to chat. So once you’ve decided on a time to reflect and plan, schedule it in the diary and…..give yourself a margin of time in case you need that extra half an hour. This practice is not something to be rushed.

 3. Create the right environment

This is an annual practice, so it’s a special time for you, and you want to ensure you are very present. Attempting this practice in your office, on your laptop, with the phone next to you and people around you is not conducive to being present. The ideal setting would be at a deserted beach (possibly on the clifftops), on the mountains, next to a lake, river, a library, etc….where there’s no Wi-Fi! Take a notepad and a pen so that you can journal your reflections and plans.

 4. Reflection on the year that was

A selection of questions to ask yourself and subsequently, record your answers:

1. What am I thankful for?
2. Who am I thankful for?

• Who do I need to thank, affirm, and encourage?

1. What did I accomplish this year (personal and professional)?
2. What changes did I make (personal and professional)?
3. What challenged me?

• Who challenged me?
• What did I learn about myself this year?

1. What did I learn about people in my circle (family, friends, work colleagues)?
2. What did I do this year to cultivate and sustain my network of friendships?
3. What are the situations and (or) people that have adversely impacted my effectiveness and fulfillment? What do I need to do to resolve or release them?

• To what extent was I striving over the year versus experiencing contentment? How did this affect me?

 5. Plan for the year to come

Your answers in section 4 will undoubtedly inform your thinking in this section. Questions to ponder:

1. What do I hope and aspire for in my personal and professional life in the year ahead?
2. If some or all of these areas are met, what will this mean for me, and how will it shape and change me?

• Reflecting on the areas that frustrate or limit me, what do I want to stop or do less of (personal and professional)?

1. Thinking about the areas that I am passionate about and derive much satisfaction from, which areas would I like to do more of (i.e., areas that I enjoy but don’t spend as much time on that I would like to, or areas in which I want to grow my capability)?
2. What are the things I must start and finish in the year ahead, and what are the things I must start that will continue in 2026 and possibly beyond (personal and professional)?
3. If there was one change I could make in my life that would positively impact me, what would that be? If this happened, how would it affect my effectiveness?

 6. Commit to action

Good intentions are dreams that aren’t typically realized; however, intentions combined with commitment result in action and real change.

After reviewing your answers, prioritize the top changes you want to bring about and the core goals you want to achieve (personal and professional). What must you do to usher in these changes and realize these goals? What will success look like? How will you monitor your progress, and who can support you in these areas?

Final words…..

Holding oneself accountable for change is difficult when everything else gets in the way. That’s why a business or leadership coach is a gift. They will walk alongside you, support you, be your confidante, and ensure that you hold yourself accountable. If you haven’t invested in a coach previously, this may be one of your goals in the new year, following this reflection and planning practice!