Looking Back to Lean Forward

I’ve spent quite some time reflecting on the past year over recent weeks. It’s been packed with professional achievements, progress, growth, and highlights, something I’m incredibly proud of and grateful for.

Because running your own business, even a small one like mine, isn’t always easy. I’m sure many people think having your own gig is a breeze, but it’s honestly anything but – I’ve never had to be more courageous and resilient, bringing the daily graft and grit.

2025 has been a year I’ve had to dig deep, and it left me approaching the end of the year more jaded than I’d like to admit. Whilst the root cause was largely good things, namely business growth and required changes to my operating model, it still left me shattered!

And so, when I think about the turn of the new year and my direction for the period ahead, I’m focused on what comes with me, what’s left behind, and what changes I need to experiment with.

To be clear, I’m not really a ‘resolutions’ fan; I find they’re too binary. I’m more of an ‘intended direction of travel after a good-old think’ kind of person.

 

 

Intended Direction of Travel

Holding Tight

It’s working well for me and I’m not letting it go anywhere

• 1:1 Coaching Partnerships – after years doing this work I know what brings me the most fulfilment and what I’m brilliant at – it’s the 1:1 work with senior leaders in high-stakes roles. I used to combine this work with other complementary services. But each year I double-down on what I do best and say no to the rest. It takes bottle to turn away work, but it means you’re leaving space for more alignment and satisfaction.
• Daily, Weekly, Monthly Rhythm – I’m clear on what sets me up to work and live at my best, from morning walks in green spaces, limited travel for work, how my workdays and weeks flow, what my weekends need to include, and how frequently I need to hit the off-switch throughout the year. After letting some of these things slip a little towards the end of 2025, it’s time for them to be back at the top of the priority list.
• Connection With Those That Lift Me – I am lucky enough to have people I feel deeply connected with, both in my personal life and professionally too. Values-aligned, easy to be with, deep and meaningful combined with fun and light – they lift me up, nourish my soul, and bring me joy. Time with them makes me better. And hopefully vice versa. More time in this space in 2026.

Leaving Behind

The things that haven’t served me well and it’s time to let go

• Excess working hours – I love my work and am not shy of plenty of time spent doing it; it’s where I’m in my element to be honest. But 2025 saw the balance tip, and this must change. For me, for my clients, for my nearest and dearest.
• Self-imposed pressure – much of those prolonged excess working hours has been driven from within; after all, I am the boss! Over-committing to self and others, plus distraction through ‘shiny-object-syndrome’, left me spinning too many plates in Q3/Q4. I’m reining it in – it requires clarity, prioritisation, and discipline – a work in progress!
• Doing ALL the things – I know I’m ambitious and I like that about myself; I want to be great at what I do, I want to help others in more impactful ways, I want to make THE difference to my clients. That can often translate into plans that just aren’t doable. I’ll be working on addressing this. Easier said than done, LOL!

Welcoming In

The things I think will make a real difference this year – bringing them in to focus

• Enhanced clarity and ruthless prioritisation – I help my clients with this all the time, and now it’s my turn to take this to the next level. I’ve already started the work – what I want work and life to look and feel like, and how I align all my decisions and actions to that. To get this right means going granular; that’s where I’m heading and calling on brilliant support to help me.
• Seeking more help – whether that’s personal or professional, it’s time to clarify what I need to make a meaningful difference to business and life. Then find the right people and tools to meet that need. For someone both independent and somewhat particular, this can be a challenge, but 2026 is the year to crack it.
• Narrowing and simplifying – I’ve been on this journey for a while now and made plenty of in-roads; 2026 will see a step change. Each year I’m more clear on the work I want to be doing; where I’m happy to invest my time. My focus sharpens and the services narrow as I specialise more deeply. At the same time, simplification is a quest – from process efficiency and eliminating the unhelpful, to how I spend my leisure time – ease and simplicity are themes that call to me.
• Leisure, fun, and faith – a whole host of factors have kept me tied to home and the desk a bit too much in 2025; it’s time for that to alter. More leisure time, rest in all its forms, accompanied with lightness and fun. And to achieve all that I need to trust that business won’t fall over by me taking time out; having faith in the sustainability of what I’ve built over the years. (Note: First holiday already booked).

 

Top Ten

I wasn’t planning on a top ten, but there you have it. Ten intentions under three headings.

My direction of travel for 2026 after a good old chunk of reflection over the last few weeks.

Feel free to ask me how it’s going in a couple of months …

 

What About You?

Year-end reflections and new-year intentions are not mandatory. But if you’ve read this far, I suspect you might be thinking about your own. If nothing else, I hope me sharing acts as a bit of inspo for you to get started.

Last year I wrote a piece on different frameworks for reflection – if you need more help, read here.

And if you want hands-on support for defining and achieving your 2026 intentions then a coaching partnership might be for you. If I’m on your shortlist, download my prospectus here to find out more.

 

Happy 2026 all – wishing you health and happiness.