64: Year-End Reset: Finding Clarity & Calm Amid the Chaos

[00:00:00] Welcome to Work it, Live it, Own it, the podcast for women harmonizing the complexities of taking care of ourselves, our families, building businesses and careers.

[00:00:11] I'm your hostess, SaCola Lehr, and welcome to the end of 2024.

[00:00:18] This episode is going to be about finding clarity and calm amid the chaos.

[00:00:25] As many of us may be feeling right now, whether we are putting undue expectations or setting high achievements for ourselves or feeling the pressure from other people.

[00:00:38] So the end of the year is here and while it may not mean holiday parties or seasonal festivities for everyone, it can still feel like a rush to the finish, all the things that we have set out to do for the year.

[00:00:53] But what if we approached this time of the year with a sense of clarity and calm instead of chaos?

[00:01:01] What do I mean by that?

[00:01:03] Well, today we're going to be diving into how we all can wrap up the year with intention and creating space to reflect, recharge, and set up a powerful start to the new year.

[00:01:17] So in this episode, we're going to be reflecting on what went well this year, closing out business projects with ease and confidence, creating an end of the year routine for clarity and focus, setting boundaries to protect our energy and time, rejuvenating for the new year, and then we're going to end out the episode.

[00:01:38] All right.

[00:01:39] So to get started, let's reflect on what went well this year.

[00:01:44] Let's start with a moment of reflection.

[00:01:48] Because even if you're not closing out with holiday traditions, the end of the year still feels like a natural time to take stock and to reflect, thinking about what went well this year, what projects, what relationships, or personal goals really came together.

[00:02:09] And to guide us through this reflection, I want you to ask yourself these questions.

[00:02:15] If you have a time or moment, make sure you download this episode so you can look at these questions in the transcript.

[00:02:23] But question number one is, what accomplishment am I most proud of this year?

[00:02:28] Which areas of my life did I see the most growth?

[00:02:34] And what's one personal goal that surprised me in a good way?

[00:02:39] Now, I'm giving you guys permission here to release the pressure that you may feel with goals you haven't finished or accomplished yet.

[00:02:50] Look, it's okay if everything did not get checked off of your list because that is a hazard for high-achieving women or for the recovering perfectionists like myself.

[00:03:02] Those lingering goals are simply pointers for where we can start fresh in the new year.

[00:03:10] So, the takeaway for this is what we don't finish in 2024 doesn't mean we're not successful.

[00:03:20] Instead, let's just focus on the progress we made because every step forward counts.

[00:03:25] Now, the next phase is closing out business projects with ease and confidence.

[00:03:32] With reflection in place, let's talk about finishing strong.

[00:03:36] If you're juggling multiple projects, family responsibilities, and possibly end-of-the-year demands,

[00:03:43] this part can feel like a heavy lift, like you're lifting a boulder that you can't barely support, but it doesn't have to feel that way.

[00:03:53] Let's look at streamlining some tasks.

[00:03:57] This is where delegation is going to come into play.

[00:04:01] And what I want you to do is take a look at listing some of the top priority tasks and look at realistic deadlines.

[00:04:09] What is important?

[00:04:11] What is urgent?

[00:04:13] Some people call this the priority task matrix, but originally it was called the Eisenhower matrix.

[00:04:20] And I'm going to delve a little bit deeper into that because I have a surprise coming up for you guys next year in 2025.

[00:04:27] But what this could also mean is for things that are maybe important, but they're not so urgent, are these things that you could actually delegate?

[00:04:37] Could you delegate some of these smaller tasks or even reschedule some of the less urgent items?

[00:04:45] And this causes us to reflect as well, assessing on what can wait.

[00:04:52] Are there projects that you really feel like you want to do, but now may not be the right time to do them?

[00:04:59] And so sometimes the best way to protect our energy is to accept that some tasks can carry over to the next year.

[00:05:07] And I encourage all of us to identify what we can put on hold until next year.

[00:05:15] Giving us time to focus on what really truly matters right now.

[00:05:19] Not everything has to be done right now.

[00:05:22] Focusing on a few high impact tasks can help us close out the year feeling accomplished without burnout.

[00:05:30] Now let's talk about creating an end of the year routine for clarity and focus.

[00:05:35] As we approach the end of the year, let's talk about building routines that are going to help us clear out the mental and physical clutter.

[00:05:44] Because by creating a bit of space now, we're going to be primed and ready for whatever 2025 brings.

[00:05:51] And what I mean by this is two ways of decluttering.

[00:05:54] We could do some digital decluttering.

[00:05:57] This is a great way for us to do a digital reset by clearing out our email inboxes and unsubscribing from unnecessary notifications.

[00:06:07] I'm guilty of this, guys.

[00:06:09] And just this week, I have literally gone through and looked at a lot of email notifications that I receive or even text message notifications that I receive that are not necessary.

[00:06:21] You can also organize your digital files and documents that pile up during a busy year by selecting them and putting them in folders and organizing them so that way they're easy and accessible for you to find.

[00:06:34] Next is physical declutter.

[00:06:36] This is something I'm currently working on and I'm going to take one thing at a time, guys.

[00:06:41] I know if you're a high achiever out there, then you want to just take on the whole thing, take on the whole house, your work environment.

[00:06:51] Listen to me.

[00:06:52] Here's what I'm suggesting.

[00:06:54] Let's do a quick cleanup of our home and workspace to refresh our surroundings.

[00:07:00] And this could be something as simple as cleaning out one drawer at a time or taking one space at a time.

[00:07:07] So if your workspace is something that you really, truly want to focus on, then organize that workspace.

[00:07:14] Or it could just be a corner in a room.

[00:07:16] Say you need a relaxation corner, then focus on creating that cozy relaxation corner.

[00:07:22] Just keep in mind, guys, that decluttering isn't about perfection.

[00:07:28] What it's about is about creating a small space of calm.

[00:07:32] A little goes a long way when it comes to feeling clear and focused.

[00:07:38] And if mental decluttering is an emotional decluttering is what you really want to focus on, then I want you to take stock in that as well.

[00:07:47] What are commitments or committees or groups or affiliations that you are part of that are actually draining but not uplifting?

[00:07:58] Take stock into that.

[00:07:59] Reflect on those things.

[00:08:01] Are there associations or associates, people that you have been involved with lately that are draining, that are fatiguing,

[00:08:09] that feels like you're the one who's always bringing something to the table in a relationship and you're not receiving that interchange of encouragement?

[00:08:18] Is it time for you to distance yourself from those types of relationships or take a rest and take a break?

[00:08:27] Again, it's not about perfection.

[00:08:29] It's about calm.

[00:08:32] Next is setting boundaries to protect your time and energy.

[00:08:38] And this kind of feeds off of number three of what we were just talking about.

[00:08:42] When the year is ending, it's tempting to say yes to every opportunity, project, or last-minute ask.

[00:08:49] But boundaries are the key to staying energized, especially during this busy season.

[00:08:56] So here are two takeaways.

[00:08:58] I want you to try saying no to last-minute requests.

[00:09:02] Let's talk about the importance of protecting our time by turning down new obligations.

[00:09:08] Even if we feel tempted to help, because as women, we want to help.

[00:09:12] We want to be nurturers.

[00:09:13] However, or sometimes as women, we want to feel needed.

[00:09:17] Listen to me here.

[00:09:18] Setting boundaries now will create space to finish the year without feeling overwhelmed.

[00:09:26] What about those family and social boundaries?

[00:09:29] Those are important too, because end of the year for most people means family time is in the mix.

[00:09:37] And that means sharing strategies for harmonizing family expectations without feeling stretched too thin.

[00:09:44] I want you to identify ways to connect meaningfully while keeping your personal priorities in focus.

[00:09:52] For some people, I heard recently that they planned on having one sit-down dinner,

[00:09:58] but then unexpectedly, more families showed up and ended up having another family function.

[00:10:04] Sometimes that just means, hey, thank you guys for coming, but we've already had our one planned dinner.

[00:10:11] We'd love to take you out to eat.

[00:10:14] Instead of you stressing over cooking and meeting someone else's expectations,

[00:10:19] set some boundaries to protect your time and energy.

[00:10:23] And when you protect your time, you're also protecting your peace.

[00:10:27] And the more peaceful you feel, the more fully you can show up for what matters.

[00:10:34] Finally, we're going to talk about rejuvenating for the new year.

[00:10:38] So we're often told to push through, keep going.

[00:10:43] No one else is going to do this but me.

[00:10:45] If I got to get it done, it might as well be me.

[00:10:47] But what if this time could also be about rest and rejuvenation?

[00:10:53] By taking small steps to recharge now, you'll enter the new year with a clearer mind and renewed energy.

[00:11:01] So I want to introduce you to some small practices that you can use to refresh your energy.

[00:11:07] I like to call this the recharge routine.

[00:11:10] Incorporate a small daily walk for mental clarity.

[00:11:13] I know it's getting cold out there for most of us guys.

[00:11:16] Bundle up, layer up, take that brisk walk.

[00:11:19] It could be five minutes.

[00:11:21] Or you could do five minutes of deep breathing or mindfulness before starting the day.

[00:11:27] Another thing is a self-care activity that you love to do like journaling.

[00:11:31] Take a hot bath or reading.

[00:11:33] And if journaling is something that is very challenging for you to do right now,

[00:11:38] then just write out your ideas and your thoughts.

[00:11:41] Or I like Penzu.

[00:11:44] It's an online platform.

[00:11:46] You can use the free version and you can just write out your thoughts.

[00:11:49] You could do a brain dump, right?

[00:11:51] Get all of those thoughts that are ruminating in your head and get them out.

[00:11:55] If you're like me, as long as I keep those thoughts in my head,

[00:11:59] I am a train wreck on the inside.

[00:12:02] But I love to get them out.

[00:12:04] Sometimes I'll journal and go deeper and delve deeper into what I'm feeling, what I'm thinking.

[00:12:11] But sometimes it's just good for me to get all these projects and things that I'm thinking about out of my head and onto paper.

[00:12:18] Embracing less is more.

[00:12:21] We're going to focus more on quality over quantity.

[00:12:24] I want us to find peace in doing less in order to recharge and rejuvenate.

[00:12:30] And that means that we're focusing on things that really, truly fulfill us.

[00:12:36] So instead of packing in more, let's focus on enjoying the simple things.

[00:12:40] The smallest acts of self-care can bring the biggest returns and calm and focus.

[00:12:48] Well, there you have it, guys.

[00:12:50] I hope you're able to wrap up 2024 by finding clarity and calm amid the chaos.

[00:12:58] Remember, the end of the year does not mean or does not have to be a mad dash.

[00:13:04] It could be about setting clear priorities, creating routines for clarity, practicing intentional rejuvenation.

[00:13:12] You can wrap up this year with a sense of calm and fulfillment.

[00:13:16] And let's make this time a time to reflect on our progress,

[00:13:22] charge our spirits, and set the stage for an incredible 2025.

[00:13:27] Remember, you have everything it takes to work it, live it, and own it.

[00:13:33] One mindful small step at a time.

[00:13:38] And if you need further encouragement or you would like to have a virtual tea or coffee with me,

[00:13:43] then head over to your email and email me at info at workitliveitownit.com.

[00:13:50] I would love to chat with you one-on-one.

[00:13:54] All right, that wraps it up for this year, guys.

[00:13:57] I will see you in 2025.

[00:14:01] Take care.