How to Protect Your Energy as a Leader at Year End

As the year winds down, we often face unique pressures and challenges - especially when you're leading a team.

It's a time when we feel stretched thin—managing team expectations, completing projects, and preparing for a much needed break.

Which let's face it, after this year, we need.

In this week's episode of Lead with Less, I’m sharing practical ways to protect your energy to reduce overwhelm and ultimately avoid burnout.

Helping you to ensure you can close out the year on a strong note and enter the new one feeling refreshed.

Let's start with...

The year end energy traps to avoid

1. Arbitrary Deadlines

Leaders often feel pressured by deadlines that might not even be necessary, have you really checked in? Or are you getting swept up in what people are telling you to do.

Ask yourself:

• Does this truly need to be done before the break?
• What are the consequences if it waits until after?

Focus your time and energy on tasks that are genuinely critical to avoid unnecessary stress.

2. Absorbing Others’ Stress

Emotions, especially stress and overwhelm, are contagious - be mindful of what you're feeling and whether it's all actually yours! I bet some of it isn't.

Ask yourself:

• Is what I'm feeling actually mine?
• What is within my control and what can I come back to focus on?

Set clear emotional boundaries to protect your mindset and ensure you stay focused on what truly matters.

3. The "Not Enough" Spiral

Feeling like there’s "not enough time" or that you "haven’t achieved enough" can lead to a unhealthy cycle of overwork.

Instead:

• Celebrate what you have accomplished this year, because trust me, there's a heck of a lot that you have done even if your to do list is still a mile long.

Shift your focus from what’s left undone to what has gone well and you'll notice that you don't end up feeling so drained and depleted going into your holiday break.

Here are some steps to protect your energy

In the podcast, I share some actionable steps to help protect yourself and your energy at the end of the year - I'll summarise these, but if you want the in depth details, make sure you tune into the full episode (linked below).

1. Prioritise with Clarity

• Ask, “What will make the biggest difference if it’s done now?”
• Communicate with your team to align priorities and ensure everyone is focused on meaningful outcomes.

2. Build Emotional Resilience

• Practice mindfulness to stay present and detach from unnecessary stress.
• Check in with yourself daily: Is this stress mine? Is it serving me?

3. Celebrate Wins

• Take a moment to reflect on achievements—big or small.
• Acknowledging progress boosts motivation and shifts your mindset to a more optimistic space.

Closing the year with intention

As leaders, it can be easy to feel consumed by the demands of the season. But by protecting your energy, you not only support yourself but also build resilience and create a space where your team can do the same.

Managing this season well can set you up in the best way for the new year, so it's definitely worth paying attention to setting yourself up properly for.

Listen to the full episode to get a deeper dive into these points.

You can also listen and watch on your favourite platforms here:

Spotify

Apple

YouTube

Looking for community, support, and growth?

The Leaders Lounge is a community for Leaders who want to connect, grow, and Lead with courage and confidence into the future.

Imagine a one stop community space that is tailored to you, as a Leader.

The Leaders Lounge is a place where you can:

→?Engage in great discussions, sharing ideas and different strategies, and connect with people who understand exactly where you’re at.

→ Experience real connection in a safe, trusted space where you can openly discuss your challenges and wins with fellow leaders who are on the same journey.

→?Access thought provoking?monthly learning materials directly at your fingertips. No need to search – we bring the latest in leadership development to you

→?Participate in monthly coaching calls to learn, grow, and be challenged to broaden your perspective, build your skills, and peer coach your fellow community - I mean, how cool?!

The place for you to pull up the metaphorical chair, sip on your cuppa, and come together with other Leaders to create connections, challenge each other, and courageously tackle whatever comes your way.

If you're looking for a space where you can come together with others looking to build and level up their leadership skills, this is the place for you.

Doors are currently open and if you jump in now, you'll also access our December mini-module + the live coaching call.

The best way to end the year with a full cup!

Read more and join here.

Want to have more meaningful conversations with your team?

Grab my free 1:1 Playbook - Turn Casual Catchups into Meaningful Conversations - it outlines what makes good 1:1's, shares 8 powerful questions that actually builds trust and respect, and helps you shift through any fears that may come up when having 1:1's.

Grab it here.