Reflecting on 2025 and How to Set Up 2026 for Growth

I have been doing a lot of reflection for the two months or so about what has worked or not worked for me and my family in 2025.

One thing I have been more sure of than ever before is that most things are not black and white, but nuanced by my life experiences.

John Maxwell quotes an adage, "You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with" (attributed to motivational speaker Jim Rohn). This got me thinking about how the people closest to us influence and guide our worldview, perspective, attitude and opinion of ourselves.

Most of our decisions, reactions, and beliefs are shaped by layers of experience… years of wins, losses, relationships, failures, hopes, and disappointments that quietly shape who we become.

That adage got me thinking:

󠁯•󠁏󠁏 How do the people closest to me influence my worldview?

󠁯•󠁏󠁏 How do they shape my perspective, my attitude, and even my opinion of myself?

Looking back at 2025, the honest truth is that my growth has not been a straight line. There were setbacks, times of stopping and asking: "What the heck is going on?" Those around me did not control my responses or decisions, but they did influence me.

Some people stretched me. Some challenged me. Some reminded me to stay grounded. And some revealed that I needed clearer boundaries and staying connected to a stronger sense of my own "purpose and "true north".

My recommendation to finish your 2025 strong and set 2026 up for growth is:

Write down:

1. What matters most?

✅ What does true success actually look like for you?

✅ Choose what kind of leader you want to be in 2026.

✅ Write your goals for 2026 using this question: "What does achieving success for me look like when I look back in December 2026?"

2. Re-evaluate and ask yourself:

➡️ Who gives you energy?

➡️ Who drains it?

➡️Who challenges you in healthy ways?

➡️Who keeps you anchored to your values?

3. Be intentional about choosing each day to take steps to achieve these goals.

So, as we close out 2025:

👉 What is the one intentional step you can take this week to set yourself up for real growth next year?

#finishingstrong #foundationstosuccess #timetoreflect #nexusconnectnz