Before the Rush: A Different Kind of Year-End Reflection

It’s likely late December now -  I promise, I'm not going to write about about New Year's resolutions.

Instead, I invite you to sit in a quiet spot with your favorite beverage, something to write with and on..pen and paper is actually best, but pecking away at a keyboard works too. The point is to sit still and reflect.

The end of the year is a time for abeyance and checking in on yourself. Yes, maintain your duties and, as I mentioned last month, your job search momentum. But this is the time to spend some energy and thought on yourself for the coming year.

Why start with strengths instead of goals? Most year-end exercises focus on what you didn't accomplish or need to fix. That deficit mindset rarely produces lasting change. Instead, when you identify what's already working: your strengths, your values in action, you discover the foundation for growth that actually feels sustainable.

So let's begin with what worked:

Looking Back: Your Strengths in Action

Which of your strengths did you lean on the most this year?

What was going on? Who was involved? What were the outcomes?

Think of the values you hold. Which of them were exemplified in this past year?

Are you in a situation now where your strengths are able to shine? Why or why not?

Do you feel that growth is possible for you where you are?

Write all of this down. Not typed notes you'll file away—actual writing. There's something about the slower pace of handwriting that helps you think differently.

Looking Forward: What Becomes Possible

Now here's where it gets interesting. With all that self-knowledge fresh in your mind, let's flip this forward:

What becomes possible if you take action based on your previous answers?

What becomes possible if you lean into your strengths even more?

What becomes possible if you lean into living out your values even more?

What becomes possible for you professionally and personally?

What becomes possible for your family and those who rely on you?

What becomes possible for the world? How can you impact the community at large?

Write these down too. Don't filter yourself...let the questions breathe.

From Possibility to Action

Notice what direction your thoughts are moving. What emotions are coming up? This awareness matters because it tells you what resonates, what excites you, what you're actually willing to work toward.

Now we get tactical:

What do I want or need to change first?

Do I need to become someone different (or more) before I can initiate these changes?

What is one thing I can start on immediately that will propel me forward?

It's not enough to have a desire, or set an intention, those generally become just wishes.

If you start with the foundation I just laid, you can know yourself and then get real about that next job, that next project, or anything else you want to make a reality of.

Next month, we'll talk about building action plans that stick. But for now, in the quiet space of December when the world has paused, give yourself permission to simply see yourself clearly: strengths, values, possibilities, and all.

See you in 2026!

Bio: Thomas Patrick Chuna, CHM, is a seasoned talent acquisition and organizational development specialist with nearly 30 years of recruiting experience across diverse verticals, including life sciences, bioinformatics, biopharma, and biotech. As Chief People Officer, he has built comprehensive hiring processes for technical and leadership roles while facilitating programs that enhance productivity, communication, and leadership effectiveness.

A certified Hiring Manager, DiSC consultant, Outplacement Consultant, and Certified Xchange Guide Facilitator, Tom specializes in helping organizations navigate change while building and developing leadership teams. He is an experienced webinar conductor and blogger on career and organizational transformation topics.