Reflect, Review and Reset 2025
(Photo taken in Ribamontán al Mar, Cantabria, Spain)
Reflect, Review and Reset 2025
As the year draws to a close, I love taking a moment to pause and truly acknowledge my wins. It’s far too easy to slip into focusing on the gap; the project's unfinished, the goals delayed, the ideas still sitting patiently on the sidelines. I could certainly find myself wandering down that rabbit hole, but experience has taught me to choose a better path.
Over the last 6-7 years, I’ve become far more intentional about creating a life fuelled by purpose, supported by genuine connection and propelled by aspiration. Joseph Addison, the 18th-century essayist, expressed it beautifully: the three grand essentials for happiness are something to do, someone to love and something to hope for. This simple yet powerful idea has become a compass for both my life and leadership, helping me reflect on my wins, clarify what matters, and realign my energy for the year ahead.
As you read on, I invite you to use this same compass to explore your own wins and intentions.
Work with Purpose
This year has been an extraordinary one. After much dedication, my second book Navigate Your Impact: How to achieve goals that really matter, finally made its way into the world. Seeing this “word baby” cross the finish line was deeply satisfying.
2025 was also the year I achieved a long-standing goal of walking a Camino in Spain. It was from that experience that another goal, originally conceived after Covid, the Walk to Lead Leadership Programme took its first steps. What started as an idea has now become an immersive strategic leadership programme combining coaching with walking a Camino in Spain. The inaugural programme is scheduled for 1–8 October 2026, and I’m thrilled to be guiding a group of 12 leaders through a powerful, inside-out strategic reset in one of the most inspiring landscapes imaginable. If you’d like to explore whether it’s for you, reach out, I’d be delighted to walk you through it (literally and figuratively!).
Alongside these milestones, I’ve had the privilege of partnering with exceptional leaders, helping them decode their performance, strengthen their inner game and achieve the goals that truly matter to them, their organisations and their teams. Thank you to everyone who placed their trust in me this year. Your willingness to do the work has created remarkable results, and I'm proud of what you have achieved.
Live Interview with Stephen Dallow - Property Matters - Barfoot & Thompson
I got to do a couple of live radio interviews to talk about my latest book - that was a lot of fun once I forgot about the fact it was 'live' lol.
And, of course, I’ve loved every opportunity to speak, train and facilitate leadership sessions. Each one feels like a chance to contribute to meaningful impact and meet amazing leaders.
Aboard Ranganui, Gulf Harbour, Auckland
I'm also learning to 'helm the yacht' - for any other novices out there like me - that's 'drive the boat' - I love the sea, and it does feel amazing when the wind is in the sails, and we are gliding along. This skill is definitely a work in progress, but I'm loving the challenge of something completely new to me.
Someone to Love
Mazaricos, La Coruña, Spain
Having a special someone with whom you share values, vision, and a commitment to building a life of meaningful experiences is a gift I never take for granted. Relationships can drift into complacency if we let them, so it’s healthy to pause and appreciate the person who stands beside you, and the ways they help you bring your best self to the surface.
Not everyone’s “someone” is a partner; it may be family, a dear friend or even a cherished four-legged companion. What matters most is recognising who genuinely adds to your world. And above all, remembering that the first person we need to love is ourselves. When we’ve done the inner work, it becomes far easier to attract and sustain the love we deserve.
Something to Hope For
If you know me, you know I am a possibilities thinker through and through. My lifelong motto has been: there is always a way. When something matters deeply to me, I stay with it long after many would have stopped. Hope, to me, is not wishful thinking; it’s fuel for the dedication of our limited resources: time, energy, focus and money.
One of the most touching compliments I received this year came from a long-standing client after I returned from walking the Camino in Spain. She said, “Deb, you’re a pay-it-forward person, and it was no surprise that the people at your book launch were the nicest group of humans.” That meant the world to me. It is a privilege to work with people who are committed to contribution, growth and impact.
As we step into 2026, I’m energised by the possibilities ahead. I have some big goals lined up, and I’m sure you do too. The key is to be crystal clear on what matters most, design your goals in a way that supports sustainable success, and avoid the burnout trap. Goals can and should stretch us, but they should also uplift us, excite us and enrich the journey of our lives.
I don’t know about you, but I certainly don’t want to get to the end of my days thinking, “At last, I can lie down, life was hard.” I’d rather look back knowing I lived with intention, joy and curiosity. Part of my definition of success and something that helps orientate my mindset is 'to live every day as if it is the last, be present, be kind and be open to experiencing what every moment has to offer.'
Looking Ahead
Langosteira Beach, Fisterra, Spain
If you’d like to join me for an adventure next year, or if you’d simply value some focused 1:1 time to accelerate your impact, I’d be honoured to partner with you.
For now, I’m signing off for the year, and I hope you’ll be doing the same soon. Rest well, enjoy the season and take good care of your inner game as you prepare for the year ahead.
Wishing you and yours a happy, healthy and restorative holiday season, and I look forward to catching you in 2026.
From me and mine, with warmth and appreciation.