A Letter to the Works in Progress

December hit me like a freight train. My car was stolen. I canceled five PTO days I swore I’d take. I blew up at my boss. I complained about the school activities for the kids. I juggled seven doctor’s appointments, hired two people, renewed eight clients, almost fired one, and worked 172 hours. I didn’t decorate my Christmas tree until December 22nd. My specialist said, “It’s amazing you’re still standing,” and my husband asked, “Are you happier this year than last?”

With tears in my eyes and the weight of the world on my shoulders, I made a choice. I canceled every meeting the week of Christmas. I had blocked the time off for a reason—to be present, to enjoy the holidays, not just to survive the season but to savor it. In these final days, I've been a shell of myself, not because of one single thing but because of the accumulation of everything.

As I reflect on this last day of the year, I realize how much 2024 has taught me—not just about work but about life.?Each lesson has shaped the way I see the world and how I want to move forward in it.

Lessons That Will Shape 2025

• People will disappoint you, take advantage of you, and wear you down. Everyone has a choice for how they show up, what they do, and what they say. You can only control how you respond, where you invest your energy, and how you set boundaries to protect yourself. When you need a break, take it.
• "Bring the Joy" is a core value at MarketDesign Consulting . I've been reminded to embrace what brings me joy and prioritize what matters. I love being in front of clients, running workshops, playing board games, and running around with my kids outside. Keep time in your calendar for the people and the things that bring you joy, not bleed you dry.
• Keep the commitments you make to yourself. Do what you say you’re going to do, especially when it’s about honoring your own needs. The world often glorifies being selfless, but there’s a fine line between selflessness and self-neglect.
• Nothing has to be done tonight. I'm not a surgeon. On my monitor, I have a post-it in my home office that says, "two weeks," as a reminder to be slow with my words and careful of my commitments. The rush to resolve everything immediately doesn’t serve you or your team, so take a breath, plan thoughtfully, and instill your process.
• Keep greeting cards handy. Gratitude expressed today has the power to change someone’s world—and yours. I've been very purposeful this year in perusing the greeting card aisles and stands when I'm in a store. I have 4 to 5 draws of cards that I've picked up with varying images, phrases, and celebrations. As terrible as my penmanship has gotten, there is nothing better than a handwritten note to show your appreciation, understanding, and acknowledgment.
• Make the hard choices.?Whether it’s letting go of what no longer serves you or owning your mistakes, facing difficult decisions head-on is where growth happens. Avoidance leads to frustration, which fuels animosity and distrust.?Candor and transparency are the trust that you deserve.
• "I love it when a plan comes together." is a classic line from the A-Team for all my 80's friends, and while it rings true...I hate it when a plan falls apart. A lot happens in a year. Life rarely follows the plan. Yet, for a planner, change breeds anxiety, and anxiety breeds doubt. Did I make the right choice, the right call, the right recommendation? You can't change the decisions you've made, the words you've spoken, or the actions you've taken, so trust your gut, be confident in the path you've chosen, and embrace the opportunity to tweak your plan.
• Share what you know.?Knowledge is most impactful when shared; we learn by doing and by sharing. #DearFutureSelf, starting with?A Letter to the Learner in Each of Us,?has been an exercise in clarity, awareness, and authenticity, which I will continue into 2025 for all of you following and for my future self.

If 2024 was about navigating life’s lessons, 2025 will be about choosing how I apply them. My word for 2025 is choice. It’s about intentional decisions—who I spend my time with, where I invest my energy, and what I prioritize.

This year, I’ll fill in my PTO days early, clear my calendar of meetings that don’t serve me, and focus on what truly matters. I’ll learn when to explain and when to simply inform, when to fight, and when to let go. I’ll embrace the freedom and responsibility that come with choosing a life that aligns with my values. I'll continue to hone my purpose. I'll be the kind of spouse I want to be, the mother I believe I am, and the leader my teams and my clients deserve.

Closing One Chapter + Opening Another

2024 taught me that life is about progress, not perfection. It’s about learning from the moments that stretched us and carrying forward the ones that brought us joy. As we move into 2025, let’s commit to making the choices that reflect who we are and who we want to become.

Here’s to a year of clarity, courage, and the power to choose. Thank you for sharing this journey with me, and Happy New Year.