All’s Well That Ends Well
Here we are in December. Boy, that happened fast! One minute, we’re ringing in a new year, then getting through spring, summer, holidays—and suddenly, we’re back at year-end. Each year, it seems, the time goes by a little faster. And there’s a reason for that. When you’re four, a year feels huge—it’s 25% of your life! By the time you’re fifty, a year is only 2% of your life. No wonder it seems to fly.
This past year has been challenging for so many people, and if you only look at headlines, there’s no shortage of negativity about the world and the environment. It would be easy to go into the holiday season feeling heavy-hearted, focusing on the gloom.
But we do have a choice. As Henry Cloud, an American author, wisely put it:
“Endings are not only part of life; they are a requirement for living and thriving, professionally and personally. Being alive requires that we sometimes kill off things in which we were once invested, uproot what we previously nurtured, and tear down what we built for an earlier time.”
Just as the seasons turn, so do the seasons in our lives. Even the good things come to an end to make way for something new. Childhood doesn’t last forever; it opens up into adulthood, as it’s meant to. How we move from one stage to the next is mostly up to us. Endings, when handled well, are like doorways to new beginnings.
December is the perfect time to take stock of the year that’s closing. You get to choose how you end it. If you want to end it strong, now’s the time to plan for that. Think about what you want to celebrate—by yourself and with others—because most likely, you didn’t do it all on your own. Family, friends, and colleagues were part of the journey.
“Yes, I began my journey alone, and I ended it alone. But that does not mean that I walked alone.”
– Benjamin Hoff
Take a moment to pause and reflect:
- Have you thanked those who’ve made your year better? We often mean to thank people but get so busy that it doesn’t happen. A personal thank you can make someone feel appreciated and strengthen your connection.
- Is there anyone you owe an apology to, or a conversation you’ve been avoiding? Loose ends can feel heavier over time, so why not close them out?
- Are there any 90% complete goals that you could finish up with a little more focus? Sometimes, we start things with lots of enthusiasm but run out of steam near the finish line. It might only take a small effort to wrap them up and put a bow on it!
- Is there anything you need to let go of before heading into 2025? This could be a work project, a relationship, or a personal boundary you need to set. Some things have run their course, and there’s real freedom in allowing them to end.
- What have you learned about yourself this year that can help you finish strong and start even stronger next year? Reflect on the challenges you overcame. Maybe there was a job demand you weren’t sure you could handle, but you did.
- How are you a different person now than you were at the beginning of 2024? We don’t stay the same over time; we’re always changing. So, who are you now, and are you on track to becoming the person you want to be?
As coaches, we honour endings with our clients, even when it’s hard to say goodbye. We know that endings are about growth, change, and transformation. The journey might be rocky at times, but we believe, wholeheartedly, that all’s well that ends well.
Wishing all our clients, colleagues, and community a meaningful and happy close to 2024. May you end this year well and start the next one even better.
If you would like to reach out and chat to us, please feel free to contact us here or visit our website.