Written by Gilles Varette, Business Coach
30 years’ experience in Leadership; NCO in a paratrooper regiment in his native France, leading a global virtual team for a Nasdaq-listed company, Board stewardship, Coaching, and Mentoring. Gilles, an EMCC-accredited coach, holds a Master’s in Business Practice and diplomas in Personal Development and Executive Coaching, as well as Mental Health and Well-being.
It’s December—the end of another year and a perfect opportunity to pause and reflect before the new one begins.
Reflection isn’t just about looking back; it’s a chance to celebrate progress and chart an intentional path forward. By embracing this season of reflection and focusing on both personal and professional growth, we lay a strong foundation for a purposeful, resilient start to the new year. Let’s explore how to thoughtfully close out this year, set meaningful goals, and step into January with a mindset ready to embrace whatever lies ahead.
The power of reflection
As December draws to a close, many of us are caught up in the rush to wrap up projects and prepare for the new year. But before the calendar flips, there’s an invaluable opportunity to pause—to reflect. This quiet moment of Reflection isn’t just about looking back at what’s been accomplished; it’s about honouring the journey, understanding how far we’ve come, and setting a clear, intentional path forward.
Reflection isn’t merely a way to measure success; it’s a powerful tool for growth. It allows us to identify patterns, celebrate our wins, and acknowledge areas where we can improve. When we take the time to reflect with intention, we build the foundation for a purposeful and resilient start to the new year. This process of Reflection helps us enter January with clarity, ready to embrace the challenges ahead.
In my journey, reflection has been a catalyst for change, helping me recognize the power of resilience, adaptability, and the quiet growth that often goes unnoticed in the rush of daily life. In my interview with Brainz Magazine, I shared how taking a step back—whether professionally or personally—can be the turning point that unlocks new potential. This article will guide you through a structured reflection process, offering tools to thoughtfully close out the year and set a purposeful course for the year ahead.
Contemplating personal and professional growth
Contemplating the past year is about understanding how achievements and challenges have shaped us, highlighting areas of resilience, adaptability, and emotional intelligence. This
structured process can help uncover valuable insights and set a foundation for future growth.
Challenges and growth opportunities
Think back over the past year. What are the accomplishments you’re most proud of? Consider both personal and professional wins.
For me, a key achievement was maintaining a disciplined approach to fitness alongside my professional goals in writing and coaching. These successes felt rewarding and reinforced the importance of setting high standards.
Underscoring the power of consistent, purposeful contributions, another highlight has been my involvement with my organization's Mental Health EBG team. The consistent sharing of resources, particularly through my 'Wednesday Wellness' posts, was recognized as instrumental in achieving a key strategic aim: supporting members with tools and resources to understand and promote mental health and well-being. One person even suggested I publish my posts in the form of a reflective journal, who knows that may well happen sooner than later. This feedback not only affirmed the impact of my contributions but also presented an exciting challenge: to take a step forward in leading more events and bringing 'Wednesday Wellness' to life in new and meaningful ways, I am currently working on a program:
Contemplate how your own achievements felt and the impact they had on your growth and self-confidence. Did they strengthen your goals or reveal new areas of passion?
Key learning moments
Think about the moments when you developed resilience, adaptability, or emotional intelligence. Were there setbacks that helped you grow? These moments often highlight the importance of grit—the blend of passion and perseverance for long-term goals. Angela Duckworth, in her research on grit (2017), argues that success isn’t about being the most talented, but about the ability to keep pushing forward, even when progress seems slow, or obstacles arise.
For instance, when managing unexpected professional challenges, I leaned on grit to stay
committed to my goals, finding that even small, consistent efforts yielded significant progress over time.
Think about a moment this year when perseverance carried you through a challenge. What did you learn about yourself? When have you pushed through challenges, even when it seemed like progress was delayed? Recognizing these moments of perseverance can be incredibly powerful, as they help shape the mindset you carry forward into the new year.
To delve deeper into these key moments, consider applying structured reflection models that can turn insights into actionable plans.
Reflective models for deeper insight
Reflecting on key learning moments helps us recognize the personal growth we’ve
experienced, but to gain deeper insights into those moments and unlock further clarity, it’s useful to apply structured reflection models.
Using these models enhances your understanding of key experiences and prepares you to translate reflection into meaningful actions.
Gibbs Reflective Cycle: A step-by-step approach to break down experiences and create actionable insights.
The STAR Model: Review challenges through Situation, Task, Action, and Result to identify skills developed.
SWOT Analysis: Assess Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats for a clear view of growth areas.
Choose a model that resonates with you and adapt it to your personal or professional reflections.
These reflective models not only help you understand your journey but also set the stage for actionable growth in the new year.
Encourage journaling by creating a “Growth Inventory” where you list key lessons or strengths developed throughout the year. This tangible record can support future progress and goals.
Turning insights into actions
Reflection is a powerful tool for understanding, but its true value lies in how it shapes our actions moving forward. As you review your achievements, challenges, and key learnings, ask yourself: What will I do differently? What will I build on? How will I continue to grow?
As you translate your insights into actions, prioritization becomes key. Not all tasks or goals carry the same weight; focusing on what truly matters will ensure you start the year with clarity and purpose. One effective tool to help with this is the Eisenhower Matrix, which categorizes tasks into four quadrants based on urgency and importance:
What tasks currently consume your time without contributing to your long-term goals? Which priorities will make the most significant impact in the coming year?
Use this framework to evaluate your goals for the coming year. For example, if enhancing work-life balance is important but not urgent, schedule regular wellness practices now rather than waiting for stress to force change. The Matrix can help you focus on high-impact actions while minimizing distractions.
Build on your strengths
Celebrate your wins by writing them in a “Victory Journal” each week, then choose one win to share with a trusted colleague or mentor. This reinforces your achievements and builds a network of accountability and inspiration.
Identify one area where you consistently excelled this year and think about how you can deepen or expand this strength. For example, if collaboration was a highlight, consider mentoring others to amplify this skill across your team.
Address growth opportunities
Challenges highlight areas for adaptation. Instead of shying away, turn these moments into a plan for improvement.
For instance, if public speaking was a challenge, you could join a local Toastmasters group or commit to presenting at one team meeting per month. These small, consistent actions will build confidence over time. Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection Growth is a journey, not a destination. Honor the small steps as much as the major milestones, as Carol Dweck’s research (2016) on the growth mindset teaches us that persistence and effort lead to development and success. People with a growth mindset see challenges as opportunities for learning and growth, valuing the process of improvement rather than just the end goal.
Completing a challenging conversation with a colleague or taking 10 minutes daily for mindfulness—as much as the major milestones, like a career promotion or finishing a major project. Celebrate these moments by jotting them down in a 'Success Journal' or treating yourself to something meaningful, like a walk in nature or a favourite book. These small rituals reinforce your progress and keep you motivated.
Stepping into 2025 with purpose and resilience
As we close this chapter, take a moment to honour the lessons and growth of the past year. Each experience—whether a triumph or a test—has shaped your journey and prepared you for the year ahead.
What will you commit to?
Choose one quality or skill to develop in 2025—resilience, adaptability, or a growth mindset. Let this commitment guide your actions and help you create a purposeful year.
Take the first step
Imagine entering January with a personalized plan that aligns with your goals and values. Together, we can craft a strategy to turn your aspirations into actionable goals. Book a complimentary consultation today to make 2025 your most fulfilling year yet. As Maya Angelou wisely said: “Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better.” Let this inspire you to embrace the year ahead with courage and purpose.
Gilles Varette, Business Coach
30 years’ experience in Leadership: NCO in a paratrooper regiment in his native France, leading a global virtual team for a Nasdaq-listed company, Board stewardship, Coaching, and Mentoring. Gilles, an EMCC-accredited coach, holds a Master’s in Business Practice and diplomas in Personal Development and Executive Coaching, as well as Mental Health and Well-being. He strongly believes that cultivating a Growth Mindset is the key to Personal Development and a natural safeguard against the expertise trap. He lives by this quote from Epictetus: “It is not what happens to you that matters, but how you react, when something happens, the only thing in your power is your attitude toward it”.
References:
Duckworth, A. (2017). Grit: Why Passion and Resilience Are the Secrets to Success. London: Vermilion.
Dweck, C. (2016). What Having a ‘Growth Mindset’ Actually Means. Harvard Business Review. Available here.
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