**This is a portion of an email sent out at the end of the year to the folks on my email list. If you want to see what else is in these emails, and you want to get it on time in your inbox, take a moment to subscribe. See you on the inside!**
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Hello there!
Firstly…
Congratulations on this past year. It was another eye opening and challenging “growth” year. For you current clients (or past clients who keep me posted [love it!]) I know you learned a lot and grew a whole lot, and I'm so grateful to have been able to witness it.
Some of you:
Secured way more dollars than you initially set out to in your job transition.
Were approved for amazing leadership programs, training opportunities, and higher visibility projects.
Have successfully positioned yourselves as strong, dynamic leaders and have started showing people what you're made of.
And yet, for some of you, this “growth” year was painful. Some of you:
Transitioned out of roles when it wasn’t your choice.
Grieved the loss of loved ones or once-known family/work structures.
Have had to continue navigating challenging, unfair, and unsupportive dynamics in your work and life.
If your year was more grief than traditional, material, upward growth…
I see you and I stand with you.
However your year presented itself, know that every one of you has created (or are currently creating) a new way to view yourself, how you show up for yourself, and how you practice your work. I want you to know you have a lot to be proud of, and that I'm proud of you. That commitment is admirable.
(And if you haven’t started that work yet and want to, feel free to reach out and let me know. Your goal may be achievable in just a one chat, an intro to one of my colleagues, or some recommended reading. Only one way to find out!)
End-of-Year Reflection Exercise
I also want you to know I’m not here to preach empty platitudes or use patronizing generalities on the importance of self-care, mindfulness, and “mindset” to bypass, diminish, or downplay your lived experience this past year. Like, we’re real people doing real work because we need real money. So, INSTEAD of that performative foolishness, let’s just get… real.
I leave you with a reminder that reflection is self-care, and that retrospectives are not only a real, super productive, cathartic form of reflection but also the perfect EOY exercise because you can come away with a go-forward plan. Holla.
Check out my blog post on DIY Personal Retrospectives. I encourage you to conduct your own personal retrospective to help you process the pluses and minuses of last year and uncover your “North Star” for this year.
Give me a shout if you have questions or want to share your findings. (I love that stuff.)
As always, if there’s ever anything I can help you with, please reach out.
Have a wonderful holiday!
🥭