It’s been a whirlwind start to November. It always surprises me how fast the final months of the year gallop past. The pace suddenly picks up, and to use a dragon boat analogy, it feels like a “LIFT” to the finish line! For those not familiar with dragon boating, it means you make a mighty effort. You power surge your efforts to get across the line first! Except in the case of the galloping months, I’d love say… slow down. But we all know, time runs at its own pace, and once gone can’t be regained or slowed.

For the last umpteen years (I don’t exactly remember how many), I’ve used the last couple of months of each year for reviewing:

– What has been achieved
– What served me well
– What I learnt
– What I enjoyed (and want to do more of)
– What I didn’t enjoy (and need to avoid!)
– Anything in my plan that I’ve missed the opportunity to achieve (and look at the reason why)

This is also the time of the year when new clients find their way to me. The reason is that they’re looking down the barrel of the year coming to a close, feeling overwhelmed and frustrated.

And the cause of frustration is always the same. Lack of achievement. Feeling stagnant and not where they want to be.

The Common Thread

The common thread that binds them, despite their varied backgrounds and industries, is lack of clarity!

Without clarity, the years will always fly past. Clarity is the secret sauce. It allows you to create an ACTION plan that becomes a guiding compass to your desired destination.

One of the most powerful tools for gaining clarity is the Wheel of Balance. It’s my go-to starting point for anyone who comes to me feeling lost, overwhelmed or undecided.

While it seems simple at first glance, its power lies in its ability to provoke deep thought and introspection. The amazing thing about the Wheel of Balance is that each “wheel” looks different. We are all individuals; no two lives are the same. Our priorities change from year to year. My personal Wheel of Balance today is totally different to the one I completed 5 years ago.

As the first week of “Making 2026 Your Best Year Yet – Setting Your ACTion Plan” is coming to a close, I was heartened to receive this message: “What an eye-opener! I never stopped to truly think about how to achieve my goals. Now I can see I’ve totally wandered in the wrong direction without even realising.”

Whether you’re part of my 4-week program or embarking on this journey independently, remember that the key to success lies in thoughtful reflection, strategic planning, and ACTION.

Here’s to finishing 2025 mapping out your ACTion plan for 2026.

Michelle

PS If you want to go through the Wheel of Balance exercise, reach out and I’ll send you a copy.