Year-End Resilience: Embracing Failure and Self-Care

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In my recent video , I touched on the power of learning from failure. I want to address another hot topic as the year wraps up – managing end-of-year overwhelm.

As we zoom down the final page of this year’s calendar, many grapple with a unique blend of excitement for a fresh start and the pressure to wrap up the year on a high note. In this delicate balance, the art of learning from failure becomes a valuable skill.

1. Embrace Setbacks as a Teacher:

Failure is not the end state (unless we allow it to be) - it's a checkpoint in our growth journey. The end of the year is a great time to reflect on setbacks, extract lessons, and apply them to refine your approach. Whether it's a project that didn't meet expectations or a personal goal that fell short, understanding the 'why' behind the outcome sets the stage for future success. Embracing failure as a teacher allows you to pivot, adapt, and approach challenges with a newfound wisdom.

Note to those of you with loud inner critics: I said to reflect on setbacks – not ruminate on them.? And to extract lessons – not beat yourself up over them.? This isn’t about what you should have done but what you would do moving forward.

2. Take care of Yourself:

I realize how obvious this sounds.? We know self-care’s good for us, but many of us struggle to fit this in throughout the year – and the end-of-year activities and expectations don’t make it any easier. Amid the chaos, ensure you're fueling your mind and body to stay resilient. Whether it's a moment of mindfulness, a brisk walk, or a few extra hours of sleep, allow self-care to become a non-negotiable anchor.

And if you only take one thing away from this newsletter... USE YOUR VACATION TIME!? According to the latest survey from Pew Research Center, only 48% of US workers say they use all their vacation days.? According to the survey, those who don’t take all their time off say it’s because they don’t need it, or they worry about falling behind at work or feeling bad about co-workers carrying their load. A few even think vacation time hurts their chances for promotions or could cost them their job.

I think I’m safe in assuming that you’ve never gone to your company offering to give back some of your paycheck.? So why would you leave your vacation time – an essential part of your hard-earned compensation package - on the table?? Don’t be part of the 52%.

3. Reevaluate Year-End Goals:

Setting realistic year-end goals is crucial in the race to the finish line. You can focus on achievable milestones instead of overwhelming yourself with an extensive to-do list. This approach relieves pressure and ensures a smooth transition into the new year.

When thinking about what is realistic, consider the following:

• Who is available to support me over the next few weeks – and what is their capacity / availability?
• Am I aligned with my manager on priorities?
• What can be delegated or deferred?
• What REALLY has to happen before year-end, and what can push to Q1?

By setting realistic goals, you create a roadmap that aligns with your priorities, allowing you to celebrate victories and head into the next chapter with clarity and purpose.

Embrace your setbacks, care for yourself, and reevaluate your year-end goals.? Cheers to ending the year on a strong note! ??

Thank you for being a part of the "Craft Your Path to Career Joy" community.?

My passion is to help leaders address their overwhelm, reduce stress, and steer clear of burnout.? If you’d like to talk more on this topic,?let’s chat !