Reflect on the Past 12 Months

Cathie Leimbach • December 20, 2022

“Achieving success is a challenge but so is struggling, so you may as well choose success.”

Rob Liano

A valuable use of time during the last week of every year is to reflect on the past year of your life. Where have you been successful and what are your disappointments?  What helped you be successful and what contributed to your disappointments?

Then decide what you need to keep doing and what you need to change to have a better life next year. Remember that the actions you took – the way you lived your life and did your work this past year – contributed to your successes and disappointments. If you do similar things next year, you will get similar results. Decide to keep doing the things that led to your successes, stop doing the things that led to disappointments, and start doing things that will improve your results.

Below is an example of a chart you might create and complete to gain clarity on the helpful versus the limiting aspects of your life. Also, consider which actions or habits to Continue, which to Stop, and what to Start doing to continue to be successful and reduce disappointments.  

After taking time for this reflection, you will be more conscious of your successes and disappointments, your strengths and weaknesses, and different actions that could improve your life. You are now in a position to make an informed plan of action for next year.  Instead of disappointments in your life zapping your energy, you will be rewarded for your hard work with greater success and satisfaction.  

Projects or Aspects of Your Life Continue Stop Start
Success Achieved my 3 growth project goals. On Fridays, plan what I will do the following week towards each goal. Spend at least 20 hours each month on each goal.
Success Sunday night family dinners Home-cooked 6:00 pm dinners
Disappointment Weekly date night happened only 6 times Waiting to the last minute to make plans Reserve Thursday evenings for dates.
Diappointment Spent 25% of my work time on jobs I?m not good at. Volunteering for and agreeing to do these tasks. Discuss better fit work assignments with my supervisor.

Wrapping Up Your Year – Celebrate Your Wins

By Cathie Leimbach • December 16, 2025
As you’re wrapping presents this season, it’s also a great time to wrap up your year with intention. The end of the year offers a natural pause—a chance to reflect, appreciate, and celebrate the people who made a difference along the way. At work, we often move from one deadline to the next without stopping to say thank you. Take a moment to recognize your teammates. Maybe it’s the coworker who always had your back, or the leader who helped you stretch and grow. A sincere “thank you” or a short handwritten note can go a long way. It doesn’t need to be elaborate—just genuine. The same holds true in your personal life. When was the last time you told a friend or family member how much they mean to you? Between holiday plans and to-do lists, it’s easy to forget that our presence often matters more than any present. Every year brings both highs and lows. As this one comes to a close, choose to focus on what went right. Celebrate the small wins and acknowledge the people who supported you through the challenging moments. So, while you’re taping up gift boxes, take a little time to wrap up your year with gratitude. Send the text. Write the card. Let people know they’re valued. After all, the most meaningful gift you can give is helping someone feel truly appreciated. Want more simple, meaningful ways to express appreciation—without overspending?  👉 View Sharing Joy at Work Without Breaking the Bank for practical ideas you can use right away.

Connectional Intelligence: The Power Skill Behind Big Results

By Cathie Leimbach • December 9, 2025
In Erica Dhawan’s book, Get Big Things Done, she defines Connectional Intelligence as the ability to combine knowledge, networks, and relationships to drive meaningful results. In today’s busy workplace, it’s not just what you know—it’s how well you connect that turns good ideas into big outcomes. Strong Connectional Intelligence within a team strengthens workplace morale and productivity by impacting four key attributes of high-performance cultures: Value Visibly – People perform better when they know their contributions matter. Leaders who highlight strengths, acknowledge effort, and celebrate progress create a culture where great work becomes contagious. Communicate Carefully – In an age of nonstop messages, clarity is a competitive advantage. Thoughtful communication reduces confusion, prevents conflict, and ensures that everyone moves forward with shared understanding. Collaborate Confidently – Connectional Intelligence flourishes when people feel empowered to contribute. Confident collaboration means inviting diverse perspectives, leveraging individual superpowers, and creating space for smart problem-solving. Trust Totally – Trust is the anchor of all high-performing teams. When leaders show reliability, transparency, and empathy, people take risks, share ideas, and stay aligned toward common goals. Connectional Intelligence helps teams innovate faster, break down silos, and accomplish what truly matters. Want to learn more? Visit Erica Dhawan’s website to explore her full body of work and deepen your understanding of Connectional Intelligence.