I've never been a big NYE goer. December 31 rarely feels quiet (both internally and externally). Life is still full. Your mind is juggling what’s possible, what’s unfinished, and what next year might ask of you.
In this end-of-year episode, I offer a different way to close the year. One that doesn’t require resolutions, vision boards, or adding one more thing to your list.
Instead, this is an invitation to pause. Not as a luxury, but as a quietly rebellious and deeply productive act for high-achieving leaders.
You’ll explore what it looks like to end the year by letting go, creating agency, and choosing clarity before the new year even begins.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
• Why pausing can feel like a no-no for high achievers and why it may be the most productive rebellion you make
• A grounded alternative to resolutions that restores choice and agency
• Reflecting on what you’re no longer willing to carry into the new year
• Moving from the Year of the Snake to the Year of the Horse through the lens of release, not acceleration
• Why “stability” emerged as the guiding word for the coming year and what that really means in practice
• How pausing creates clarity, groundedness, and genuine pride in where you’ve been and where you are now
• Reframing ambition so it’s driven by steadiness rather than urgency
A QUESTION TO SIT WITH:
Before asking what you want to add next year, ask yourself:
What am I no longer willing to bring with me?
That clarity often matters more than any goal you could set.
JOIN ME LIVE:
If you’re looking for a strong, centered way to begin the year, you’re invited to join me for a free live masterclass:
Say It Like You Mean It: Uncover Your Most Confident Voice
Tuesday, January 20 | 10 AM PST/1 PM EST
This masterclass is for leaders who want to communicate with a steady, self-assured presence without over-explaining, second-guessing, or bracing for impact.
Register here: https://sowtospeak.com/live
RATE AND REVIEW THE PODCAST
Thanks for listening! Be sure to rate and review this episode wherever you're listening in from so others can discover the podcast, too. And, of course, let me know what you connected with the most!
Speaking of connection:
Learn more about Kristy and Sow to Speak here.
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