One Tip. One Script. One bit of Inspiration.

Happy New Year!

I hope that you are doing well and easing into this new year feeling refreshed. Speaking of new, did you see my workshop invitation? I am so excited to share BREAKING BUSY on 1/22 at 7 pm ET. I'd love you to be there and/or share the link with others who might benefit. It's going to be good!

Tip: To level up in 2026, take another look at 2025 lessons.

I thought I was done with 2025. I wanted to be done, done with 2025. But a Watch Night Service sermon on New Year's Eve changed my mind. My pastor's bottom-line message was pay attention to what you learned in 2025 AND apply those lessons to your life in 2026. It seemed simple enough. But he wasn't finished. He also emphasized this somber truth: we are moving so fast that we miss the lesson, destined to take a make-up exam the next year.

I don't know about you, but I hate pop quizzes and make-up exams. So, it comes as no surprise that I'm not crazy about the idea of walking through the same or similar issue simply to learn a lesson that should have been apparent to me the year before. Yet and still, even as I write this, I am giving myself grace. OF COURSE, I've had my share of these types of make-up exams. We all have. But now that I know better, I'm trying to do better.

The key is slowing down enough to: 1) look again at what you've been through; and 2) see how you got through so you don't have to go through that thing again.

When I think about it, I should be an expert at looking again. In my early 20's, I learned how to drive in The Bronx. That might not mean much to you but let me just say this--you better be checking your side view and rear view mirror several times when you're driving there. People drive aggressively and may not always follow the traffic rules. To keep safe, you need to look not just once but several times before easing out of parking spaces, turning corners, or backing up. So, I learned early on that there is a lot of merit in looking again. The trouble is we don't always know what to look for.

Upon reflection, I suggest that you look again at the following things from 2025:

a) Look again at how far you have come. Chances are you started 2025 wanting to achieve certain goals. You may or may not have reached them. In either case, there's are some lessons there that can support and inform your journey in 2026.

b) Look again at what worked well. We tend to look at the things that didn't work out. But how about those places where you succeeded? How did you get that done? What skills did you use that might prove useful in 2026?

c) Look again at what labels are no longer working for you. Have you been carrying around an externally or self-imposed label that needs to go? Failure. Lazy. Unmotivated. Poor. Mean. Bad. We talk trash to ourselves all day long and wonder why we have no momentum to reach for future success. Leveling up in 2026 will require us to shed the labels draining us and holding us down. We're going to need all our positive energy to apply the lessons of 2025.

As I mentioned earlier, the leveling up occurs when you identify the lesson and then apply it moving forward. But because I know that getting started is not easy, I've provided a little script to help.

Script: How to find the lesson

For those who prefer not to write in a journal or don't have time, try this fun fill-in-the blank exercise to unlock the learning. Do this as many times as you need to process 2025 lessons in a convenient and efficient manner.

EXERCISE

Whew. Here we are. 2026. I'm so grateful to see another year. But I'm not going to lie. Last year definitely had its challenges including [NAME THE CHALLENGE OR ISSUE]. Now THAT was a surprise!

As I was walking through it, I was caught up in my feelings. I felt [NAME THE EMOTIONS]. But sure enough, things started to turn around. The problem was still there but I could see light at the end of the tunnel.

The turning point came when I realized [NAME THE A HA MOMENT]. From that point on, I changed my mind about the situation and developed a plan.

I remember a couple of specific things that made a difference: [NAME ONE OR TWO STRATEGIES THAT KEPT YOU MOVING FORWARD THROUGH THE CHALLENGE].

My big takeaway from this is: [LOOKING AT THIS WITH FRESH EYES, WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED ABOUT YOURSELF OR HOW TO BEST HANDLE THESE CHALLENGES?].

Moving forward, when I face a similar challenge, I will: [HOW WILL YOU LEVEL UP BY ANTICIPATING CHALLENGES AND APPLYING THIS LESSON?]. Even if I don't face a similar thing in 2026, I can see how my big takeaway can help me in other areas of life. In fact, I am making the decision today to [NAME A NEW THOUGHT/MINDSET and/or ACTION YOU WILL TAKE BASED ON THIS LESSON].

I am thankful for the growth and can't wait to see what's in store in 2026!

Inspiration

I take extra care of my car in the winter. She's ten years old and has served me well. But I know her limitations. She needs just a bit more special attention now, particularly when it's cold. The older I get, the more I need my own personal winterizing. During these months, I just don't feel like doing a lot, being outside, or even talking. So, with the help of a few winter hacks, I ease into hibernation mode internally and externally. I thought I might share a few of these hacks. I hope it inspires you to create your own.

Here's what I do:

• avoid making too many complex decisions and keep my momentum going by making relatively simple, yet impactful ones
• try to be home as early as possible
• add a nap to the weekend
• cook big meals that can last for a couple days
• use a crock pot
• to avoid overthinking, designate a cleaning day, shredding day, bill paying day, etc.
• plot time for relationship maintenance. I might not feel like doing the most, but I can't afford to let this area suffer. I just put IT on the calendar
• up the cozy factor with a few rituals: buying a good moisturizer (I don't usually like lotion but I have no time to be ashy!), watching football games with the hubby, sleeping in on Saturday morning, reading a good book, turning off my phone by 8:30 pm, and staying hydrated with a quality bottle of water
• Cut down on peopling - I keep my interactions light and have no problem backing out of any committee or group work that is draining my emotional tank

Resources

Finding Rest in Uncertain Times: link to the videos

Subscribe

If you haven't already done so, I invite you to subscribe to Total Radiance Coaching's community. I have some great things planned for you!