As the year comes to a close, I find myself drawn to the transformative power of reflection, gratitude, and intention-setting. 2024 was a year of profound lessons, with one of the most transformative experiences being my month-long journey to Africa.
This journey, shared with six others from diverse backgrounds and professions, taught me invaluable lessons as a leadership development coach, consultant, and individual. What began as a group of near strangers evolved into a family bonded by shared experiences, mutual support, and deep connections. We were reminded of the beauty of surrender—of letting go of control and trusting the process—and the strength found in believing in ourselves and others.
Lessons in Surrender and Belief
In Africa, I learned to let go of the constant need to orchestrate outcomes and instead embrace the moment. This wasn’t just a lesson for my work with leaders and teams but also a deeply personal realization. When I surrendered, I found clarity; when I chose to believe, I found empowerment.
Each sunrise, shared meal, and deep conversation with my group revealed the richness of presence. Together, we embraced vulnerability and supported one another in ways that broke down barriers and built trust. It reminded me that true leadership isn’t about authority or control—it’s about creating spaces where people feel seen, valued, and safe to be themselves.
As I reflect on this transformative experience, I realize how much of it parallels the challenges and triumphs of leadership. Leaders often feel the weight of responsibility to know every answer and predict every outcome. But sometimes, the most impactful thing we can do is release that pressure, trust the process, and believe in the collective strength of our teams.
This reflection naturally leads to questions we all can ponder as we move into a new year:
What are you willing to release from 2024 to make room for what’s ahead?
What did you learn this year that you want to carry forward into 2025?
For me, I am releasing self-doubt and the tendency to overextend myself. I am taking with me the lesson of surrender, the gift of belief, and the understanding that growth flourishes in connection and trust.
The Power of Gratitude in Growth
As I reflect on these lessons, I also feel immense gratitude—for the people I met, the challenges I faced, and the growth I experienced. Gratitude is a powerful tool for grounding ourselves in the present while opening our hearts to the possibilities ahead.
In moments of uncertainty or doubt, I often revisit the gratitude I felt during my time in Africa. Gratitude for the beauty of the land, the resilience of its people, and the strength of the connections I formed. It reminds me that even in the most unfamiliar circumstances, there is always something to be grateful for.
Taking time to acknowledge what we’re grateful for not only fosters positivity but also helps us focus on what truly matters. It’s easy to get caught up in the rush of deadlines, to-do lists, and external pressures, but gratitude helps us slow down and realign with our values and purpose.
The Power of Choosing a Word of the Year
One of the practices that has transformed my approach to the new year is choosing a word of the year. I had never picked a word before 2022, but once I did, I discovered its profound impact on how I moved through the year with intention and clarity.
A word of the year serves as a compass—a guiding principle that helps you focus your energy and decisions. It acts as a reminder of your priorities and aspirations when life gets busy or challenges arise. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by resolutions or an endless list of goals, a single word provides a touchstone to return to again and again.
If you’ve never chosen a word of the year, here’s how to start:
Reflect on the past year. What did you learn? What challenges did you face, and how did you grow?
Visualize the year ahead. What kind of energy or focus do you want to bring into the new year?
Pick a word that resonates. Your word should feel meaningful and align with your intentions. Don’t overthink it—trust your intuition.
Choosing Consistency for 2025
As I reflect on these lessons, the word I’ve chosen to anchor me in 2025 is consistency. Consistency represents showing up—day after day—with intention and purpose. It’s not about perfection but about the steady rhythm of aligning my actions with my values, whether in my business, personal life, or relationships.
Consistency is the bridge between the vision I have for my life and the reality I am building. It’s about staying true to the goals I’ve set, even when the journey gets challenging. It’s about understanding that small, consistent steps often lead to the most meaningful progress.
This word resonates with me because it challenges me to bring together the lessons of surrender and belief. It asks me to trust that steady, intentional effort will yield the outcomes I desire, even when the results aren’t immediate.
Preparing for Success in 2025
I’ve taken time to set myself up for success by creating a vision board with purpose, crafting a list of 50 things I want in my life, and breaking them down into actionable monthly goals. These steps keep me focused and accountable.
Each goal is an expression of the life I want to create—one where I’m aligned with my values, showing up consistently, and fostering meaningful connections. Whether it’s in my leadership work, personal relationships, or self-care practices, these actions reflect my commitment to living intentionally and purposefully.
As we transition into a new year, I encourage you to pause and reflect:
What does success look like for you in 2025?
What intentions will guide your decisions and actions?
Reflection and gratitude provide clarity, while intentionality lays the groundwork for the future. Whether your word for 2025 is consistency or something else, take this time to prepare yourself to live it fully.
When we take time to explore and understand our true selves, we create the foundation for authentic living. This journey involves peeling back layers of learned behaviors and beliefs, reconnecting with our core essence. In doing so, we uncover passions, values, and talents that may have been overlooked or forgotten.
Understanding who we truly are helps us recognize our strengths and areas for growth, enabling us to make choices and take actions that align with our authentic selves. This alignment fosters a sense of harmony, bringing greater joy, fulfillment, and a deeper sense of purpose to our daily lives. It allows us to appreciate the beauty of simple moments, form genuine connections, and recognize our unique gifts and their potential to positively impact the world.
This year, another profound milestone in my journey of self-discovery was becoming a certified Death Doula. As a previous Palliative Care nurse, it was essential to integrate this holistic perspective into my leadership development coaching and consulting. Supporting individuals and families at the end of life deepened my understanding of human connection, vulnerability, and resilience—lessons that are invaluable for leaders. It reminded me of the importance of creating spaces where people feel seen, valued, and supported, no matter the circumstances.
The journey of self-discovery is lifelong, spanning from our first breath to our last. By embracing this mindset of continuous learning, we remain curious and open to the richness of life and our purpose within it. Simple practices like meditation, journaling, or time in nature can deepen self-reflection, helping us tune into our hearts and connect with the infinite wisdom of our souls.
In 2024, I learned the power of surrendering to the unknown and believing in both myself and the process. These lessons taught me to trust that everything unfolds as it should, even when the path isn’t clear. As I move into 2025, I’m carrying forward the courage to release control, the confidence to lean into vulnerability, and the resilience to embrace growth through connection and trust.
As I move into 2025, I have a renewed sense of purpose in my work and life. I am grounded in the belief that true leadership is about being present, fostering meaningful relationships, and approaching challenges with empathy and grace. By integrating these insights into my coaching and consulting, I aim to inspire leaders to embrace a more compassionate, holistic approach that prioritizes the well-being of themselves and their teams.
By embracing surrender, practicing gratitude, empathy, remaining present and showing up with consistency, we can create the life we envision—one step, one moment, and one intentional action at a time.
Together, let’s make 2025 a year of growth, purpose, and unwavering belief in what’s possible.
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