Gratitude, Reflection, and Leading Forward

Finding Meaning in Rest and Reflection

As I sit down to write this week’s newsletter, I’m struck by the complexity of what this time of year means for me—and perhaps for many of you. I’m on vacation, or at least what passes for it in my world. “Time off” doesn’t mean a full shutdown; it means shifting gears. Between holiday preparations, spending time with loved ones, and working on projects for 2025, I’m also trying to embrace some genuine downtime.

This isn’t just about recharging. It’s about stepping out of the constant “red work” grind—the execution-heavy, always-on mode most of us operate in—and moving into “blue work,” the reflective, creative space where we pause, reorient, and think strategically. (If you’re familiar with Leadership Is Language by L. David Marquet, you’ll know what I mean.) Time off is not a luxury; it’s a necessity for functioning at our best. But even as I enjoy the privilege of 2.5 weeks away from the office, I can’t help but reflect on how unevenly that privilege is distributed.

For many, time off isn’t an option. It’s a reminder that while I’m grateful for this break, I’m also aware of the systems that make it possible for some and impossible for others. This awareness doesn’t ruin my time off—it deepens it. It reminds me that rest is both a right and a responsibility, one that we should advocate for in our workplaces and communities.

Of course, I’m also human. Part of me is indulging in the simple joys of the season: playing video games (Sea of Thieves, anyone?), watching movies, and embracing the festive consumerism that comes with gift-giving. It’s a time of contradictions, balancing rest and productivity, reflection and celebration, gratitude and awareness of the challenges others face.

So, as I navigate these contradictions, I want to invite you to do the same. Let this be a week where we hold space for complexity—where we reflect on the privileges and challenges of our own lives while also finding room for joy, connection, and growth.

With that, let’s dive into what’s coming up this week: a celebration of gratitude, the neuroscience of nostalgia, and leadership practices that help us close the year with intention and clarity.

Deep Dive: The Neuroscience of Nostalgia in Leadership

This week, we’re diving into The Neuroscience of Nostalgia in Leadership, a one-week series exploring how the warm, reflective feelings of nostalgia can be used strategically in leadership. The holiday season is ripe with nostalgia, from favorite traditions to shared memories with loved ones. But what if we could harness those feelings to strengthen our teams, foster creativity, and create a more connected workplace culture?

Why Nostalgia?

Nostalgia isn’t just a sentimental trip down memory lane. Neuroscience shows it activates parts of the brain associated with reward, social connection, and stress reduction. It triggers dopamine, helps us feel grounded, and provides a sense of continuity during periods of change. For leaders, nostalgia can become a tool to create meaning, reinforce belonging, and inspire resilience.

What’s in Store This Week

Here’s a preview of what we’ll cover in this five-day series:

• Day 1: Introduction to Nostalgia in Leadership and Its Neuroscience (Monday) We’ll set the stage by defining nostalgia, unpacking its relevance to leadership, and exploring the brain regions involved. By connecting these insights to leadership practices, we’ll discuss how nostalgia can positively impact organizational culture.
• Day 2: Nostalgia for Team Bonding and Workplace Well-being (Tuesday) On Tuesday, we’ll focus on how shared memories strengthen team relationships and affirm social belonging. We’ll discuss how nostalgia reduces stress, boosts mood, and promotes workplace satisfaction, and share ways leaders can encourage the sharing of nostalgic experiences.
• Day 3: Leveraging Nostalgia for Creativity and Overcoming Challenges (Wednesday) Wednesday’s post will highlight nostalgia’s role in fostering creativity and resilience. We’ll explore how it can help teams navigate uncertainty, fuel innovative thinking, and build emotional strength through reflective practices.
• Day 4: Nostalgia in Shaping Organizational Culture and Employee Engagement (Thursday) On Thursday, we’ll examine nostalgia’s role in creating meaning and reinforcing company identity. Leaders will learn strategies for cultivating a culture of shared memories and shaping experiences that will become tomorrow’s nostalgic touchpoints.
• Day 5: Bridging Generational Gaps and Ethical Considerations (Friday) We’ll close the series by discussing how nostalgia can connect employees across generations and foster understanding. We’ll also explore the ethical use of nostalgia in leadership, focusing on authenticity and balance to avoid its overuse.

Why This Matters

In a world where rapid change often feels destabilizing, nostalgia offers an anchor—a way to connect the past to the present and future. It fosters trust, creativity, and belonging, all of which are essential for thriving organizations. This week’s series will provide leaders with actionable insights to incorporate nostalgic elements thoughtfully and authentically.

Join me this week as we explore how to turn sentiment into strategy, using the power of nostalgia to lead with intention and heart.

Deep Dive: New Year, New You – Gratitude and Vision

We’re in Week 3 of New Year, New You: A Workbook Journey, and this week’s theme, “Gratitude and Vision,” is all about pausing to celebrate the wins, reflect on the lessons, and dream big about the future.

As we close the year, it’s easy to focus on what didn’t go as planned or get caught up in the hustle of the holiday season. But this week is an invitation to slow down, practice gratitude, and channel that positivity into visioning your next steps. Gratitude isn’t just a feel-good exercise; it’s a mindset shift that fosters resilience, optimism, and motivation. Pairing it with visioning creates a powerful combination of reflection and forward momentum—essential for crafting a meaningful and intentional new year.

What’s Happening This Week

Here’s what we’ll explore in our daily posts:

• Monday: Gratitude Letter to Yourself Take a moment to acknowledge your own efforts, growth, and achievements this year. Writing a heartfelt letter to yourself fosters self-compassion and reinforces a sense of accomplishment.
• Tuesday: Capture the Year in One Word Distill the essence of 2024 into a single, resonant word. This exercise is a creative and insightful way to encapsulate the year’s overarching theme and lessons.
• Wednesday: Eulogy and Tombstone Exercises Reflect on your legacy and how you want to be remembered. These exercises might sound heavy, but they’re incredibly clarifying and grounding, helping you align your daily actions with your long-term vision.
• Thursday: Rocking Chair Vision Life Exercise Project yourself far into the future and imagine looking back on a life well-lived. What advice would your future self give you? What would truly matter? This perspective helps shape your current decisions and priorities.
• Friday: 10-5-3-1-3 Exercise Bring your vision into focus with a practical breakdown of long-term aspirations into actionable steps. This structured process bridges the gap between dreaming and doing, helping you start 2025 with clarity and momentum.

Why This Matters

Gratitude helps us appreciate where we’ve been, and visioning helps us define where we want to go. Together, they create a foundation for thoughtful, intentional growth. As a leader or professional, these exercises aren’t just for you—they can inspire your team to reflect, reset, and align with shared goals for the year ahead.

This week’s posts will provide you with tools to end the year with a sense of accomplishment and excitement for what’s to come. Whether you follow along for personal growth or integrate these exercises into your leadership practices, I hope they help you find clarity, purpose, and joy in the process.

Deep Dive: Leading Forward – Gratitude and Letting Go

This week marks Week 3 of Leading Forward: Reflect, Reset, and Recharge for the New Year, a conceptual series designed for leaders seeking clarity, focus, and purpose as the year comes to a close. While the New Year, New You workbook focuses on individual, hands-on exercises, Leading Forward takes a broader, reflective approach to leadership practices and strategies. It’s about stepping back, looking at the bigger picture, and aligning leadership with meaningful goals for the future.

This week’s theme, “Gratitude and Letting Go,” centers on two powerful leadership practices: appreciating the past and releasing what no longer serves us. As leaders, acknowledging achievements—both personal and collective—builds morale and strengthens relationships. Equally important is the act of letting go of setbacks or failures that could weigh us down moving forward.

Why This Week Matters

Gratitude is a cornerstone of effective leadership. It cultivates trust, enhances team dynamics, and fosters a culture of positivity. Letting go, on the other hand, creates mental and emotional clarity, allowing leaders to approach the future with a renewed sense of purpose. Together, these practices lay the groundwork for resilience and growth, helping leaders close the year with a clean slate and clear mind.

What’s Coming This Week

Here’s a preview of this week’s posts:

• Monday: The Importance of Gratitude in Leadership We’ll explore how gratitude impacts leadership effectiveness, team morale, and workplace culture. You’ll learn practical ways to incorporate gratitude into your daily leadership practices, benefiting both yourself and your team.
• Tuesday: Exercises for Letting Go of Professional Setbacks On Tuesday, we’ll focus on actionable exercises to release setbacks and disappointments. Letting go isn’t just about moving on—it’s about creating space for new opportunities and a fresh perspective.
• Wednesday: Celebrating Team Achievements and Individual Contributions Recognition is a powerful motivator. We’ll discuss the importance of celebrating wins—both big and small—and how acknowledging contributions fosters loyalty, engagement, and motivation.
• Thursday: The Art of Closing Chapters: Moving Forward Without Baggage We’ll delve into the practical and emotional steps of concluding the year’s unfinished business. Learn how to close chapters effectively so you and your team can step into the new year unburdened and ready to thrive.
• Friday: Preparing Your Mind and Team for New Beginnings As we wrap up the week, we’ll explore strategies for setting the stage for new opportunities. From mental preparation to team alignment, this post will help you approach the upcoming year with confidence and clarity.

How This Series Differs from New Year, New You

While New Year, New You is hands-on and introspective, Leading Forward is about leadership from a higher-level perspective. It’s designed for those who want to go beyond individual growth and focus on how to inspire teams, influence culture, and lead strategically.

This week’s focus on gratitude and letting go is vital for leaders navigating transitions, managing change, and preparing for what lies ahead. As we move forward, let’s embrace the lessons of the past while making room for growth and possibility in the year to come.

Closing Thoughts: Embrace the Season with Gratitude and Vision

As we step into this week, I encourage you to approach it with a mindset of reflection and possibility. The themes we’re exploring—nostalgia, gratitude, letting go, and vision—are all interconnected. Together, they offer a powerful framework for closing the year with intention and stepping into the next chapter with clarity and purpose.

Whether you’re reflecting on your personal growth, fostering team cohesion, or preparing for new beginnings, take time to pause and appreciate where you are right now. Rest isn’t just a luxury; it’s a necessity for meaningful work and authentic leadership. Gratitude isn’t just a feeling; it’s a practice that transforms how we see the world and engage with others.

As you move through this week, let go of the weight of what no longer serves you. Celebrate the wins, acknowledge the lessons, and dare to envision a future that excites you. And remember: leadership isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being present, thoughtful, and open to growth.

I hope this week’s insights and exercises inspire you to lead with heart, reflect with courage, and embrace the opportunities ahead. I’ll be sharing more each day, so join me on this journey as we close 2024 with gratitude and step into 2025 with purpose.

Here’s to a week of rest, reflection, and renewal!

Warm regards,

Edward Schaefer