I am nearly at the end of my coffee today, which feels quite symbolic for an end of year reflection. A little more relaxed, a little less rushed, and very much in thinking mode.
Today I want to talk about levelling up and leveraging. Not just in business or career, but across life as a whole. And how you might think about improving yourself and your opportunities as we head into 2026.
Taking Stock of the Year That Was
The first place to start is reflection.
What went really well this year?
What felt hard or clunky?
Where did you feel stretched, excited, or energised?
I have spent the last couple of weeks thinking about where time disappeared, where opportunities sat just out of reach, and what I could have done differently if I had more capacity.
One of the biggest outcomes of that reflection for me was realising I needed more space. That led to a big decision. Hiring a PA for the first time in my career.
That decision is about creating room for creativity, for bigger projects, and for work that has been sitting on the back burner because there simply was not enough mental capacity.
Leveraging What Makes You Valuable
The next piece is leverage.
Where are your opportunities when it comes to your skills, your experience, your network, and your ability to connect with people?
This is something I talk about a lot in my Wealth Plan workbook because when you really understand what makes you you, it becomes much easier to move your career and personal life forward with confidence.
Your value is not just technical skill.
It is perspective.
It is experience.
It is the way you solve problems and build relationships.
When you take time to write those things down, you start to see where they connect to new opportunities.
Learning From What Did Not Work
Levelling up is not just about doing more of what worked. It is also about being honest about what did not.
For me, I did not create enough space for creativity this year. I also noticed moments where I was more reactive than I wanted to be, rather than proactive and deliberate in planning what I wanted to deliver.
So heading into 2026, I am committing to booking rest and breaks earlier, planning delivery across the year more intentionally, and being clearer about what I want to build both in my mortgage business and with new projects.
Looking Ahead With Optimism
There is a noticeable shift in energy right now. Sentiment feels like it is changing and there is more excitement about what 2026 could bring.
That creates opportunity.
Opportunity to collaborate.
Opportunity to build new products and services.
Opportunity to lean into your gifts and qualifications in a way that adds real value.
So my encouragement is this.
Take stock of the year that was.
Be proud of what makes you special.
And think carefully about how your skills and experience can meet opportunity in the year ahead.
It is Christmas week. I hope you have an amazing one. Enjoy your coffee and go out and do something great.