Reflect, refresh and refocus.
Sometimes we just need to stop, feel and let it all unravel. Just like nature does at this time of the year.
Well, what a year.
As we approach the close of 2025, I find myself reflecting on a year that asked a great deal of all of us. It’s been a year of unexpected challenges, of stretching beyond comfort, of navigating stress, uncertainty, and moments that felt downright frightening. And yet, through it all, there has been a quiet, steady resilience in many of us, a shared willingness to keep showing up for ourselves, for one another, and for the people, animals and places we love.
In the midst of the hard, there has also been beauty: the strength of our relationships, age old friendships, moments of insight in our experiences together, the grounding presence of dogs and horses, and the reminder that even in turbulent times, nature continues to offer guidance, refuge, and renewal.
I want to say thank you for the connection, learning, and growth I’ve experienced alongside you.
Thank you for your courage, your vulnerability, your trust. For the way you continue to walk this path of learning, healing, and transformation, even when the way forward isn’t easy. And for the ways you are a part of creating the new human leadership story.
On my side, I am proud of the work I’ve done this year offering clients a safe space to explore their whole selves to enable them to thrive at their highest level in business and in life. I differentiate myself by being a trusted long-term partner who uncovers opportunities and blind spots, creates space for growth by guiding reflection through a holistic lens, builds capabilities and empowers clients to lead with clarity, courage and independence.
From December 19 to January 7, I’m taking an intentional pause for rest, reflection, and renewal. During this period my emails will be lightly monitored; if you have an urgent matter please resend your message with urgent in the subject line so I can tend to it as soon as possible.
I invite you to use the next few weeks in whatever way restores you. It may be a moment to acknowledge what you’ve learned, release what no longer supports you, or set your focus for the year ahead.
May the next few weeks bring you rest, kindness, a soft place to land, and a reminder of what matters most. May we continue, together, to meet what comes our way with open hearts, fierce courage, and grounded presence.
I look forward to reconnecting with you in 2026 with a continued commitment to your and your business’ growth.
On My Mind
As we look at 2026, many of us are thinking about how to help ourselves, our clients and teams manage a multitude of new stressors and challenges.
There’s often a lot of pressure to ‘improve’ things this time of year.
That pressure isn’t necessarily healthy, but at the same time, the new year can sometimes give us a little push to make some good changes. I certainly get that urge.
Traditionally, new year’s goal setting is based on ‘giving up’ from a perspective that something needs ‘fixing’.
I much prefer to focus on what I’m taking up, what is possible, and an abundance mindset instead.
Our ambitions are often scattered, diverse and difficult to pin down; the number one editing tool I use is to ask myself how I want to feel retrospectively.
How will I, and others, describe me one year from now? How do my goals and intentions align with my values? What do I want to focus on to make that happen? What are true priorities for me?
Over To You
Every year I set aside time in December to journal out my thoughts.
Here is my invitation to join me and a few prompts to help you on your way; pour yourself a coffee or a glass of wine, create a calm space and get comfortable.
What did you learn about yourself? What’s been surprising?
What’s gone really well for you? What lessons will you carry with you to shape 2026 into a year of hope and possibility?
How will you have been transformed based on what you have experienced this year?
What are you grateful for?
What are you willing to let go? This can include releasing items that hold old identity, old timelines and old versions of you: clothes you haven’t worn in a year, books you have and will not read, expired / broken / unused items, subscriptions or newsletters you never read, old notes that drain mental space, and objects tied to past relationships. Let this shedding be conscious, tender, and complete.
What brings you energy? What lights you up? What do you want to bring into your life next year?
What risks feels aligned, not reckless? Where are you being called to move faster?
Sometimes, I also make an action board, a collage that represents everything I aspire to; some years I start from scratch and other years I simply tweak and update the current board.
Compared to a written list of personal goals or a to-do list, an action board has a lot more impact on your brain and future behaviour; you’re creating something that will inspire and manifest in your future through your actions.
My overall aim with both exercises is to be more mindful of what’s going well, what I have achieved and set my intentions for the new year.
It gets me clear and focused on, and fired up about my goals and it’s an opportunity to consciously release what’s not making me happy.
If you’d love a thought partner for the dance in 2026, please leave me in no doubt about it.
I’m offering 5 slots of one hour to people who subscribe to Leadership Squared. I will only do 5 of these and only in January. So, if you want an hour to give yourself time to think, plot or plan, then send me a DM or drop me a note here.
I’m on the floor until the 19th, see you before then, or on the other side of a restorative break.
Warm regards,
Monique
[i] Across all the systems (numerology, astrology and the Chinese zodiac) we are closing off an old era, and moving away from paralysis and procrastination into action, truth and alignment. We’re marking the end of the Chinese zodiac’s introverted snake cycle (which saw us shed, soften our grip, release and clear space. What was fake fell away, what was real remained), and are about to move into the fiery, go-getting horse (powerful forward movement) energy that will see us stepping up with confidence, in alignment, with momentum returning. The snake cleared our path, the horse carries us forward. Growth requires spaciousness. The horse cannot run if you carry unnecessary weight or your inner world is tangled; it mirrors your clarity, focus, and willingness to step into the next version of yourself. The horse doesn’t walk, it charges; and so will the energy of 2026, it rewards the brave, the intuitive and those who choose themselves.