Before you go…
I know—you saw this title and panicked.

What did I forget? What still needs to be done?

This isn’t about adding one more thing to your plate. It’s about resisting the urge to mentally sprint into 2026 before 2025 is actually finished.

December tempts leaders to live ahead of themselves—to plan, prepare, and push forward before we’ve paused long enough to reflect. This mid-month pause is an invitation to stay present long enough to close the year well—with purpose, presence, and closure.

Before You Go: Look Back Once—On Purpose

Before break, take intentional time to reflect on what has already happened this year. Reflection isn’t about nostalgia—it’s about noticing what deserves to be repeated.

Use your goal metrics or consider these prompts:

• What have we already accomplished that aligns with our goals and plans?
• What unexpected outcome elevated the experience for our students?
• What moment or initiative deepened our core values or strengthened relationships?
• Who contributed meaningfully this semester—and have we acknowledged them?

Leadership doesn’t just move forward. It remembers well.

Before You Go: Tell Yourself the Truth

Growth doesn’t start with excuses; it starts with honesty.

Leadership expert Craig Groeschel recently reminded leaders that meaningful growth begins when we’re willing to evaluate our year clearly—without defensiveness or denial. Before January planning begins, ask yourself:

• What worked—and why did it work?
• What didn’t—and what did we learn?
• What patterns showed up repeatedly this year?

What happens occasionally is a circumstance.
What happens repeatedly is culture.

If you want to go deeper, Groeschel’s full framework is worth listening to—but don’t skip this step: name the truth first. You cannot correct what you won’t confront.

Before You Go: Final Minutes Make Moments

It might feel like this is the time to shut your door, clear your inbox, and start preparing for 2026.

I want to challenge that instinct. Slow down instead.

Be visible. Spend time in hallways. Have intentional conversations with staff. Offer students eye contact, encouragement, and final words before goodbye.

These final minutes don’t slow momentum.
They define memory.

People may forget what you planned—but they will remember how you made them feel as the year closed.

Before You Go: Leave Well

As the final bells of 2025 begin to ring, ask yourself one last question:

Am I prepared to unplug—truly?

Consider this simple checklist:

• Set a clear out-of-office message—and honor it
• Clear one physical pile and one digital pile (no more)
• Write down what can wait until January
• Name one boundary you will protect over break

Rest isn’t a reward for finishing everything. It’s a responsibility of sustainable leadership.

How you leave this year will shape how you enter the next.
Before you go—pause long enough to close it well.

Here if you need anything,

Jess

Want to go deeper? Click HERE for a free reflection sheet-my gift to you.