Work Hard, Play Hard… and Collapse? Let’s Try a Smarter Year-End Strategy

I’m writing this to you from Sydney Airport, where I’m about to board a flight for a silent meditation retreat—a full week without speaking. Whenever I mention this to people, I often get a slightly shocked look. But there’s a secret introvert in me who relishes the chance to quiet things down, let the dust settle, and simply be.?

If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ll know that I’m a former burn out queen who regularly crashed out into extended holidays. Or I exited roles when I was too exhausted to continue, I know at this time of the year “push-through-until-you-collapse” mentality is rife but, in my experience, it leads to a lack of joy, energy, inability to be present, fractured relationships, sickness...I could go on.?

As for so many of you reading this, when we have tough and painful times, there are also valuable lessons. Today I’m a firm believer that we set our own pace and to do that we have to figure out what works best for our body and mind. It’s called tuning into your bodies intelligence (BQ) but the only way to do this is to slow things down. ? ?

One of the key things I learnt on my recovery was to give myself permission to listen to my body and make decisions based on my energy levels. This is one decision I make particularly at this time of year in my energy management plan. I book a meditation retreat to close down the mental tabs so I can reset and refocus.?

Slowing down when everyone is speeding up seems counterintuitive but it’s one of the most essential components of not just performance but frankly being able to stay present and enjoy this time of year. Instead, I see this season as an opportunity—a chance to reflect on what I need to stay energized and perform at my best.?

So, here’s my reminder to you: take a moment to check in with yourself. How are you tracking? Where are your energy levels? What’s your intention for this final stretch of the year? ?

Consider these questions as you move through this season:?

• What do you want to achieve in these remaining weeks??
• How do you want this time to feel??
• What pause point could help you to finish the year strong??

Whether it’s a week off like me, extended weekend, a Friday afternoon massage, booking time with a good friend or mentor to be a sounding board or just an hour to reflect, think about the small recharge you need before diving into the final phase of the year.?

A special invitation?

One of the other key things I do at this time of a year is double down on space and time to step back and recalibrate my plan and to set myself up for a strong start to the year ahead both personally and professionally. I’ll often do this with one of my coaches or mentors (big love to Michelle Broadbent who is facilitating this for me this year!) This is something I always offer to this community as a 60-min masterclass (more details coming next week to access this one). In the meantime, I’ve had some requests from some of my former Luminous Leader Accelerators (senior leaders who commit to their growth and showing up as their best selves for their teams and loved ones), to run a longer Luminous Planning Session designed to provide a deeper pause and resent point. ?

I’ll be hosting a special ? day in person (Sydney) session on the 22nd of November. It’s designed to reignite the light within, fire up your thinking and get you re-energised to both finish the year strong and to set yourself up for a fast start to 2025. There with be grounding mindfulness practices, practical coaching exercises and I’ll be working with the group on my signature energy management strategies. You’ll be surrounded by a wonderful and warm bunch of leaders who will cheer you on and accelerate your thinking and we’ll round off the session with a lovely light lunch together. ?

If you know you are getting sucked into the pace and frenetic nature of this time of year and it’s stopping, you showing up as the leader you want to be and you need to hit the reset button then please DM me to find out more and grab one of only 2 remaining places.?

If this speaks to you, I’d love to see you there!?

Wishing you a luminous, grounded finish to the year,?