As we approach the end of the year, it’s natural to pause and take stock. Among my community of coachees, leaders, and professionals (and myself!), I’m noticing a mix of behaviors—some helpful, others not so much. This time of year often brings a whirlwind of urgency, reflection, and, for many, a touch of procrastination cleverly disguised as planning for January.
Year-End Reflections: Common Unhelpful Patterns
Year-end behaviors can be a mixed bag—some actions set us up for success, while others hold us back. Here’s what I’ve observed as common patterns that can either help or hinder the transition into a new year.
1. Grumpy Gatekeepers
December is a tough time to make big asks—budgets are frozen, decision-makers are distracted, and energy levels dip. Early in my career at Google, I learned this the hard way when I pitched a major initiative towards the end of the year—only to have it land with a thud.
Since then, I’ve approached December differently. I use this time to lay groundwork and save significant asks for January, when people are refreshed and more open to new ideas.
2. The Last-Minute Hustle
Many professionals are in “wrap-up mode,” rushing to hit targets or close deals before the holidays. A sales director I coach used to scramble to secure last-minute deals every December, often leading to missed opportunities and burnout.
This year, they focused on fewer, higher-value clients (think Pareto principle). And as a result, they closed more meaningful deals, hit their bonus, and avoided the typical year-end burnout. Sure, you sometimes have to rely on last-minute closure on deals (especially if you are in sales), but slowing down and focusing on what matters most can be a quick path to success.
3. The New Year Mirage
I hear it all the time: “I’ll start fresh in January—fit, focused, and ready to crush my goals.” While planning ahead is great, waiting for January 1st often stalls momentum and creates too much pressure.
I’ve been there. For years, I told myself I’d start daily yoga every January 1st. Then one year, I started in mid-December instead—just 15 minutes a day. That small step created momentum that carried seamlessly into the new year.
If there’s something you want to change, why wait? Small, consistent actions today can set the stage for big progress tomorrow.
Strategic Planning Workshop and Painting Your Very Own Masterpiece
Last week, I held a Strategic Planning Workshop that brought these patterns into focus. The session was centered around a creative exercise using painting as a metaphor for envisioning the year ahead.
We began with a centering exercise: I asked attendees to close their eyes and think about the colors that represented their 2024.
What colors reflected their wins and triumphs?
What shades captured the challenges and hiccups?
Then, we looked ahead to 2025—what colors did they want to see in their future vision?
After this introspection, participants picked up their metaphorical brushes and began painting their year ahead.
One participant shared that their 2024 was filled with shades of light blue and dark blue.
Blue, often associated with calm, stability, and depth, reflected their steady progress throughout the year. But as they thought about 2025, they realized they wanted more vibrancy—a brighter, more colorful palette that symbolized growth, creativity, and bold moves.
Another participant had an aha moment during a breakout session. She admitted she was afraid of dropping the brush—of losing control over her vision. But then she realized:
“If I drop the brush, I can just use my fingers to paint.”
It was a beautiful reminder of resourcefulness and adaptability, qualities that define not just art but leadership and life.
Reflecting on My Colors
As I reflect on my 2024, the colors that come to mind are red, orange, and purple—each capturing a different facet of my year.
Orange represents the energy and, at times, the frenzy. It was a year full of movement, momentum, and high activity—sometimes bordering on too much. (Maybe I was a little inspired by the Inside Out 2 Anxiety character!)
Purple, my favorite color, reflects the pure joy and fulfillment I felt. Every client session, every workshop, every piece of content came straight from the heart. I thrived in an environment where creativity and self-expression took center stage. It was a year of doing what I love and truly feeling aligned with my purpose.
Red symbolizes the high energy I brought to my first full year of running my own business. It was a bold, powerful color—driving action, passion, and ambition.
Looking ahead to 2025, I want to keep that energy alive but balance it with more blue and green—colors that evoke calm, spaciousness, and renewal. My vision is to create a year where energy and creativity coexist with peace and presence, a harmony of action and reflection.
Embracing Tensegrity: My Vision for 2025
Reflecting on the balance between movement and spaciousness, growth and stability, I was reminded of a concept from both construction and human anatomy: tensegrity. This idea, often seen in structures like suspension bridges, is about finding strength through a balance of tension and integrity—spaces of calm supported by purposeful stress.
Tensegrity structures distribute tension evenly across their framework, allowing them to remain stable while being flexible and adaptable. Think of a suspension bridge, where the cables and beams work together to hold weight and withstand movement. In human anatomy, the same principle applies to the body, with muscles, tendons, and bones working in harmony to create stability and movement.
By contrast, compression structures, like a stack of Jenga blocks, rely on weight and rigidity for stability. They work well until one piece is shifted or removed, which can lead to collapse. Other examples of compression structures include brick walls or stone towers, where the load is distributed vertically through layers, but the structure itself is static and less adaptable.
This contrast between tensegrity and compression can be applied how we approach challenges in life and work.
Do we rely on rigid systems that can topple under change?
Or, do we create a balance of tension and flexibility that allows us to adapt and thrive?
In 2025, I want to bring this idea into my life and business:
Spaciousness: More room to pause, reflect, and recharge.
Momentum: Building on the solid foundation of my business while embracing growth.
Integrity: Staying aligned with my values and vision, even as I stretch into new challenges.
RISE Framework: REFLECT-IDENTIFY-STRATEGIZE-EXECUTE
Here’s the framework we used in the strategic planning workshop I facilitated recently—and one I’m following myself to plan for 2025. It’s simple, actionable, and designed to help you close the year strong: RISE.
Reflect: Spend 10 minutes each evening jotting down wins and lessons. What worked? What didn’t? Clarity comes through reflection.
Identify: Pinpoint your top priorities for Q1 and/or the year ahead. As Steve Jobs famously said in his Stanford Commencement Speech, "Deciding what not to do is as important as deciding what to do."
Take a moment to ask yourself: What can you deprioritize or eliminate to make space for what truly matters? Use tools like the SMART Goals framework to break your key priorities into actionable steps and ensure your focus remains sharp.
Strategize: Develop a clear plan for one habit or project to start now. Define your goals, outline the steps, and consider the resources or support you’ll need. Taking time to strategize ensures your efforts are focused and purposeful, building momentum before January even begins.
Execute: Put your plan into action. Eliminate distractions, prioritize tasks, and set systems in place—whether that’s automating processes, delegating responsibilities, or blocking time for deep work. Execution is where strategy becomes tangible progress.
Final Thoughts: Finish Strong, Start Stronger
As the year comes to a close, it’s more than a moment to tie up loose ends—it’s an opportunity to reset and realign. Reflecting on your past year, whether through colors, metaphors, or structured planning, can bring clarity to what you want to carry forward and what you’re ready to let go of.
What colors would you paint your 2024, and how do you envision your 2025 taking shape?
My Best of 2024 as well as more on my deeper reflections and plans (with concrete actions and numbers!) coming soon — stay tuned!
Hi! I'm Merve. 👋 I help leaders build high performing teams, amplify their business impact, and advance their careers.
Here are five ways you can connect with me:
Book a 1:1 Coaching Session: Tailored to your individual goals, I offer in-depth guidance, a focused strategy, and results-oriented accountability to help you navigate your professional and personal challenges for meaningful progress.
Join Signature Leadership Programs: Designed for corporate leaders and business owners at all stages of the leadership journey, these programs blend 1:1 coaching with group workshops and training, equipping you to grow your career, earnings, and business success.
Subscribe to My FREE Monthly Newsletter: Stay updated with the latest in leadership and business with insights and musings delivered directly to your inbox.
Access FREE Worksheets for Leaders: Visit my website to access and download worksheets and workbooks that provide practical exercises for enhancing self-awareness, self-reflection, and fostering positive change in your leadership and team dynamics.
Follow me on LinkedIn: Connect with me on LinkedIn for daily updates, thought-provoking articles, and a community of like-minded professionals committed to continuous growth and leadership excellence. Join the conversation and stay inspired on your leadership journey.