Letting Go of the Year That’s Been

 

(sing to the tune of “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”)

It’s the most nerve-wracking time of the year!
With the end-of-year selling
And clients all telling you, “Spend money here!”
It’s the most nerve-wracking time of the year!
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It’s the most, most hectic season of all!
With new project proceedings
And quarter-four meetings with clients on call
It’s the most, most hectic season of all!

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If you’ve spent the past several weeks humming familiar holiday tunes with an internal dialog about how much you loathe year-end deadlines, here’s the good news: you’re not alone – and it’s almost over.

And here’s even better news: Year-end deadlines are good for something beyond number-crunching. They’re the perfect time to practice letting go.

For most of us, the stress comes to a head this week, before offices close (in theory or literally) between Christmas and New Year’s. Even if you’re in charge — especially if you’re in charge — it’s important to take this break seriously. It’s a chance to slow down, reflect, and forgive.

Slowing down to reflect

Turn on the OOO and turn down the voice in your head that’s already worrying about Q1 2019. Challenge yourself to leave your laptop closed for a full day. Instead, celebrate what you accomplished this year.

Let the big wins of 2018 play like a highlights reel in your mind

Meanwhile, while you’re letting your work brain slow down, recharge your heart. Put in some face-time with your loved ones. Isn’t family (and friends who are family) what all of this is about, anyway? Anyone can work themselves to the bone to achieve management glory. But true leaders are people who are in touch with their emotions, too. It’s part of spiritual intelligence — something I’m reminding my clients to embrace on a consistent basis.

Spiritual intelligence is about utilizing your brain – as well as your heart and soul. Those who take the time to really, truly check out and reflect on the last 12 months are practicing spiritual intelligence…. to embrace this much-needed, end-of-year respite — let’s just call it corporate hibernation. It’s a time to tend to and care for ourselves and our families, to recharge for a new year. An important ritual come this time of year.

Forgiveness is just as important

Chances are, you’ve made some mistakes this past year. I certainly have, and it’s OK. Now is the perfect time to revisit those mistakes, ruminate on the lesson learned, forgive yourself and move on. It’s quite challenging to create something new on our blank canvas if our mistakes are written in black permanent marker.

These tenets are a big part of my role throughout the year (not just this time of year): reminding clients of the importance of slowing down and taking stock of what you’ve created. People’s default is to jump into the new year and immediately start creating, dreaming, declaring. And it’s wonky: we’re creating on top of a bunch of mess and in-completion — both internally and externally. We’re harboring resentment from the stuff that didn’t work, while trying to create something new. It’s like painting sunshine and flowers over the dark clouds and rain on our canvas. Strange, right?

Instead, over the next few weeks, give yourself permission to unplug and do some cleaning up. Use this time to your advantage. Make some mental room for the new year, instead of harboring the yuck and suck. Allow 2018 to exit peacefully… so you can enter 2019 with clarity and confidence.

Believe it or not (a-hem, it’s the season of believing!), it really can be the Most Wonderful Time of the Year. Wishing you and yours a magical holiday season!
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Molly Rudberg, MSC, ACC, is a Chicago-based ontological life and career coach focused on working with extraordinary leaders and businesses committed to realizing an impossible future. She facilitates workshops and speaks to organizations and groups about creating intentional, passion-filled work, what it means to lead authentically and is the co-author of “From the Yoga Mat to the Corner Office: A Mindful Approach to Business Success” (Highpoint Executive Publishing)