Embracing Growth and Momentum

Happy New Year! Welcome to the first full week of 2025. If you’re anything like me, the holidays felt like a whirlwind. One moment, it was Thanksgiving; the next, we’re setting alarms for Monday morning. The time flew by, and while I’m grateful for moments of rest and downtime, I’ll admit to feeling a bit behind on personal projects. Getting sick during the holidays didn’t help—my energy and sleep were far from ideal.

That said, I’m choosing self-compassion as my theme for the start of this year. Rest isn’t wasted time, and reevaluating our priorities is just as important as achieving our goals.

This week also brings excitement as I unveil some projects I’ve been quietly working on. Over the past year, I’ve committed to sharing daily leadership, culture, and growth content across multiple platforms. In 2025, I’m experimenting with new formats to make this content more accessible and engaging:

• Videos: I’ve launched two YouTube channels—Agile Ideation (long-form, up to 10 minutes) and Leadership Quickbytes (short-form, ~3 minutes)—along with content for Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat.
• Podcasts: Two new podcasts are live—Integrated Leadership Playbook (longer episodes) and Leadership in 3 Minutes (short, actionable insights).

The intent? To meet you where you are. Whether you prefer reading, listening, or watching, I want to offer valuable leadership insights in the format that resonates most with you.

Now, a confession: I may have bitten off more than I can chew. Editing videos, creating podcasts, and managing multiple platforms is a bigger challenge than I anticipated. But that’s the beauty of experimentation—adjustments will come as I learn what works best. Your feedback is invaluable, so if you enjoy a particular format or style, let me know! And if these experiments resonate with you, please like, share, subscribe, or download. It helps me understand what to continue and refine.

Amid these experiments, my focus remains the same: helping leaders, teams, and organizations thrive. My dream is to make work suck less—and turn it into a place of purpose, connection, and growth.

Finally, a quick reminder about Weekend Wellness, my ongoing series about rest, recharge, and self-compassion, and an announcement for my new Leadership Momentum Weekends, which focus on purposeful growth and reflection. Both are designed to support you in leading with balance and intention.

Find Me Across Platforms

Explore leadership insights in your favorite format:

YouTube Channels

• Agile Ideation (long-form videos)
• Leadership Quickbytes (short-form videos)

Podcasts on Substack

• Integrated Leadership Playbook (long episodes)
• Leadership in 3 Minutes (short episodes)

Social Media Channels

• Bluesky
• Threads
• Instagram
• Reddit
• TikTok

Wherever you like to connect, I invite you to join me in exploring fresh ideas and strategies for leadership and growth in 2025.

Here’s to a new year of possibilities, progress, and shared growth! Let’s make 2025 a year of momentum—one step at a time.

Deep Dive: Week 1 of the 2024 Reading Roundup

This week marks the start of my 2024 Reading Roundup series—a 10-post exploration of the books that shaped my year. Over the next two weeks, I’ll be sharing reflections, insights, and key takeaways from my 2024 reading journey. This series celebrates the transformative power of books to inspire growth, challenge perspectives, and deepen understanding, particularly for leaders and lifelong learners.

What to Expect This Week:

• Monday: A kickoff post with an overview of my 2024 reading journey, including stats, genres, and standout themes.
• Tuesday: Honorable mentions—spotlighting books that didn’t make the top 5 but still left a strong impression.
• Wednesday–Friday: A countdown of books #5, #4, and #3, diving into why they stood out, their key takeaways, and how they connect to leadership and personal growth.

Why This Matters: Reading is one of the most powerful tools for growth. It broadens perspectives, offers practical strategies, and allows us to engage deeply with ideas that challenge and inspire. For me, books are more than just learning opportunities—they’re conversations with some of the greatest minds, past and present.

Sharing this journey is about more than reviewing books; it’s about encouraging a culture of learning. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your leadership skills, navigate modern workplace challenges, or simply find inspiration for personal enrichment, this series has something for you.

Key Themes of the Series:

1. Leadership Development Through Reading – How the right books can elevate leadership, coaching, and professional practices.
2. Diverse Learning – A mix of genres and topics to showcase the importance of broad, interdisciplinary reading habits.
3. Building Community – Inviting you to share your own reading insights and create a dialogue around the books that inspire growth.

While I won’t spoil the titles just yet (you’ll have to follow along to find out!), I promise a mix of thought-provoking reads, timeless wisdom, and actionable ideas that will resonate with leaders and learners alike.

Let’s Build Momentum Together The 2024 Reading Roundup is more than just a reflection on my reading journey—it’s an invitation to share yours. What books shaped your year? What’s on your reading list for 2025? Let’s inspire each other to grow, one book at a time.

Stay tuned for the first post later today as we kick things off. Here’s to starting the year with fresh ideas and motivation!

Deep Dive: Week 1 of the New Year New Momentum Series

As we step into the first full week of 2025, I’m excited to launch New Year, New Momentum: Sustaining Success, a four-week series designed to help you turn resolutions into reality. This series is about bridging the gap between aspiration and action, offering practical strategies to fuel personal and professional growth throughout the year.

This Week’s Theme: Laying the Groundwork for Actionable Change

Week 1 focuses on transitioning from end-of-year reflections into clear, actionable goals. Whether you’re navigating personal development or driving organizational success, the key to lasting momentum lies in setting a solid foundation. This week, we’ll explore tools and frameworks like OKRs, SMART goals, and the Eisenhower Matrix to help you clarify your priorities and build a roadmap for the months ahead.

What to Expect This Week:

• Monday (Jan 6): End-of-Year Reflections to Intentional Goals We’ll kick off with a reflection exercise, transforming insights from 2024 into meaningful goals for 2025. This post will also introduce OKR (Objectives and Key Results) and SMART goal-setting frameworks as powerful tools for turning ideas into measurable outcomes.
• Tuesday (Jan 7): Deep Dive into OKRs We’ll take a closer look at the OKR framework and how it can help you set ambitious yet achievable goals. This session will provide a step-by-step guide for creating OKRs tailored to your personal and professional aspirations.
• Wednesday (Jan 8): Goal Prioritization with the Eisenhower Matrix Learn how to apply the Eisenhower Matrix to prioritize tasks and align them with SMART objectives. This approach will help you focus on what truly matters while avoiding overwhelm.
• Thursday (Jan 9): Visual Goal Mapping Discover the power of mind mapping to clarify and connect your goals. Visualizing your objectives can enhance focus, uncover synergies, and make the path forward more tangible.
• Friday (Jan 10): Creating a Personal Mission Statement End the week by anchoring your goals in purpose. A personal mission statement aligns your ambitions with your values and long-term vision, serving as a compass for the year ahead.

Why This Matters:

The energy of the new year often fuels excitement, but without a clear plan, even the best intentions can falter. This week’s focus on goal-setting frameworks and prioritization strategies will help you:

1. Gain Clarity: Translate vague aspirations into actionable, measurable goals.
2. Create Alignment: Ensure your goals reflect your values and align with your vision.
3. Build Momentum: Establish a structured plan that keeps you moving forward, even when motivation dips.

By investing in thoughtful planning, you’re setting the stage for sustained success—not just in January, but all year long.

Let’s Build Together Whether you’re a seasoned goal-setter or looking to refine your approach, New Year, New Momentum offers actionable insights to help you achieve your 2025 ambitions. I encourage you to follow along this week and share your reflections, goals, and questions in the comments.

Here’s to a year of progress, purpose, and momentum!

Deep Dive: Week 1 of the Mastering the Winter Slump Series

The post-holiday period can feel like a stark contrast to the warmth and joy of the festive season. Many of us face a mix of shorter days, colder weather, and the pressure to “get back to it,” which can impact our mood, energy, and productivity. To help navigate these challenges, I’m launching Mastering the Winter Slump: A Professional’s Guide to Thriving in Q1, an eight-week series designed to equip you with tools and strategies to make the most of this season.

This Week’s Theme: Understanding and Recognizing Post-Holiday Blues

Before we can address the winter slump, we need to understand it. This week, we will explore the science behind seasonal mood changes, why they happen, how they manifest, and what they mean for professionals and leaders alike.

What to Expect This Week:

• Monday (Jan 6): The Science of the Winter Slump We’ll explore the biological and psychological factors that contribute to post-holiday blues, including the roles of daylight, seasonal routines, and emotional letdowns after the holidays.
• Tuesday (Jan 7): Recognizing the Spectrum of Winter Blues Learn to identify the signs of seasonal mood changes, from mild winter blues to clinical Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), and understand the importance of early recognition.
• Wednesday (Jan 8): The Impact on Workplace Performance Examine how seasonal shifts affect focus, motivation, and productivity, and consider the ripple effects on teams and organizations.
• Thursday (Jan 9): The Role of Circadian Rhythms Understand how disrupted circadian rhythms influence mood, energy levels, and decision-making, and explore ways to mitigate their impact.
• Friday (Jan 10): Neurotransmitters and Winter Mood Fluctuations Delve into the role of serotonin and other key neurotransmitters in regulating mood during the winter months, and consider strategies to support mental well-being.

Why This Matters:

The winter slump is more than just a seasonal inconvenience—it’s a significant challenge that can affect both personal well-being and organizational success. By understanding the mechanisms behind these shifts, we can:

1. Reduce Stigma: Normalize conversations about seasonal mood changes and their impact.
2. Foster Awareness: Equip ourselves with the knowledge to recognize and address these challenges early.
3. Enhance Leadership: Support teams in navigating seasonal productivity dips with empathy and strategic action.

This week’s posts will help lay the foundation for the actionable strategies we’ll explore in the coming weeks, empowering you to take charge of your winter well-being and maintain forward momentum.

Join the Conversation As we dive into this series, I encourage you to share your experiences with the winter slump—whether it’s challenges you’ve faced or strategies that have worked for you. Together, we can transform this often difficult season into an opportunity for growth and resilience.

Stay tuned for today’s post on the biological and psychological factors behind post-holiday blues. Let’s turn understanding into action and make this winter a season of thriving, not just surviving.

Setting the Tone for 2025

As we embark on this first full week of 2025, it’s a great time to remember that growth—whether personal, professional, or organizational—happens incrementally. It’s not about perfect execution or tackling everything at once. It’s about showing up, experimenting, and moving forward step by step.

This week, we’re diving into three powerful themes: reflecting on the past year with the 2024 Reading Roundup, building momentum for the new year with New Year, New Momentum, and understanding the challenges of winter with Mastering the Winter Slump. These themes might seem distinct, but they’re deeply interconnected: they remind us to embrace reflection, act with intention, and lead with awareness.

Here are a few takeaways as you head into your week:

1. Grant Yourself Grace: Like I’m learning with my new projects, it’s okay to reevaluate, pivot, or scale back. Progress isn’t linear, and self-compassion is a critical leadership skill.
2. Be Curious: Whether it’s through reading, goal setting, or exploring the science behind seasonal shifts, curiosity fuels growth. Keep asking questions and seeking insights.
3. Invest in Rest: Amid the drive for achievement, remember that restoration is essential. You can’t pour from an empty cup—take time to recharge, reflect, and reconnect.

This week is the beginning of a journey—not just into a new year, but into new ways of thinking, leading, and thriving. I encourage you to engage with these topics, share your thoughts, and join me in exploring how we can grow together.

Here’s to a week—and a year—filled with purpose, momentum, and resilience. Let’s make 2025 a year in which we take meaningful steps toward becoming the leaders and individuals we aspire to be.

Warmly,

Edward Schaefer

Leadership Coach | Culture Strategist | Lifelong Learner