Making space for what matters

Welcome to the New Year!?

How has 2025 started for you? What are your thoughts on 2024 now that you've had a little space from it?

My December was a little hectic, and amongst the busy-ness and at-times-frustration of it all, I received an unexpected gift.

The 'universe' was very clearly telling me to take a break, so I disconnected - for 3 weeks.

Can I tell you – it was bliss!?

Not going to lie, it was a little challenging at first because I’m so used to being connected, and then as I eased in to it, I thoroughly enjoyed taking time out, going away and spending time with my family.

I was a little surprised that I found the first few days of disconnection challenging.? I hadn’t considered myself a person who’s totally connected, always on a device, checking emails, messages and needing the digital stimulus, so to feel a sense of discomfort (I’m not sure if that’s the right word, but let’s go with it) was surprising.?

It turns out, my devices and digital connection had become a habit for me, as much as they are for anyone else – and I’m not convinced that's a productive nor beneficial habit.? I see it now as more of a default and convenient habit – and one that this year I’ll be more mindful of.

I spent 3 weeks focused on the people who matter most to me, with minimal distractions.

I tuned out the noise, the relentless pings of emails and notifications reminding me to do something, be somewhere, encouraging me to buy something.

I tuned in to the people and priorities that matter, to me. And so I've started the year as I intend to continue - with calm and clarity.

It's a pretty great way to start 2025.

Which leads me nicely into your intentions for the new year.? Not resolutions (let’s face it, they often don’t work out bc often we have too many and they’re SO different from the habits and behaviours that we’ve eased ourselves into over a period of years…).

Intentions for 2025.

Do you have any?? How big is that list?

Filled with 'shoulds' and 'going-tos' we typically fill our goals lists for year with a myriad of things that we're not happy with or feel we could be doing more of.

What if you just focused on making this year the year that you focused on what MATTERS?

What if you consciously made space for the things that matter?

Radical? Maybe - but I bet you've started the year by saying, more than once, "This year will be different, I'm going to do (fill in your blank) differently".

So while you have a shopping list of things you want to be different, I’m going to challenge you and encourage you to whittle that list down to ONE THING.?

Yep, just ONE.

The reality is that many of those things on our lists are variations on a theme, or symptoms of scattered focus.? Often there’s one underlying priority that creates a little chaos across many elements in our lives – and business.

Allowing ourselves to focus on ONE priority means we give ourselves the permission to set that priority up for success and to bring a new mindset, new habits and new behaviours to life.? When we try to do that on 4 or 5 fronts, all at the same time, we remain in a state of scattered focus.?

Once you’ve mastered the behaviours that move your ONE priority forward, you may be surprised by how your other priorities have also progressed, and how you’ve created the structures, routines and rituals that you can tweak as you shift focus to other areas throughout the year.

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So – your intention list.? What will really make a difference for you this year?

• What is the ONE intention that you’ll start this year with?

• What will be different when you focus on this intention, and what outcome are you hoping for?
• How and when will you carve out time to focus on this intention?
• What needs to change, or shift, for you to focus?
• Who needs to know (because as we dedicate time to this focus, we inevitably reduce time that we can dedicate to other areas that may be priorities for others)?

Give it a go for 2 weeks and see what shifts. Seriously, one priority, two weeks.

This year can be a year of change, growth and success – and it’s all in your hands.?

Whatever your priority is, how will you embrace the experience?? We all know that change isn’t all plain sailing – it can be exhilarating at times, and uncomfortable at times and, well, it will take time, so it’s important to acknowledge that change is an experience, not just an end point.

Life isn't a solo sport, even if you are a solo superstar. Your success, in life & in business, relies on a community of people who support you, challenge you, teach you, keep you honest and shout about you from the mountain tops.

It's the same when we're in a state of change. Who's in it with you, committed to you & your success?

That's where I come in, and the work that I do. If you're reading this newsletter, you're in my world and that means that I am here to help – I’m in your corner.

Together we can work on the things that matter. It might be about you as a Leader, your Leadership or Operating Team, or your whole business.

What do you want to do differently this year? What would happen if it wasn't different?

If you're ready to do different, to focus on the things that matter and work with a partner who'll challenge you while setting you up for success, then let's talk.

Together let's create your Different by Design in 2025.

Here’s to an extraordinary year ahead!

Sandy

Click here to find 15mins in my diary for a quick chat.

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Hi, I’m Sandy

?? I’m all about helping leaders and teams unlock their strengths, challenge the status quo, and push beyond what they thought possible. As a strengths-based executive coach and strategist, I partner with forward-thinkers to create future-ready strategies, teams, and organisations.

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