By: Andrea Gash
November has a way of sneaking up on us. One minute we’re adjusting to fall routines, and the next we’re knee-deep in deadlines, donor reports, strategic plans, and holiday logistics. We start saying things like “I just need to get through December,” as if life will magically slow down when the ball drops on New Year’s Eve.
Between children’s Christmas programs, volunteering, buying and wrapping presents, and squeezing in all your favorite holiday traditions, your calendar fills up fast, and it’s easy to feel like you are running on fumes.
The final stretch of the year is exciting—it’s when big goals come into focus, budgets take shape, and next year’s opportunities begin to unfold. It’s also when the calendars overflow, inboxes multiply, and it feels like everyone needs something now.
In my upcoming book, You Don’t Bounce Back, You Rebuild Forward, I write about how doing it all isn’t a badge of honor. When we confuse capacity with worth, we overextend ourselves until burnout becomes our baseline. Productivity isn’t proof of value — presence is.
It’s easy to wear exhaustion like an accomplishment this time of year. But over time, that pattern chips away at our energy, focus, and joy. The truth is, momentum doesn’t always mean acceleration — sometimes it means learning to pause, delegate, or say ‘no.’
Here’s a simple November check-in to keep your wits about you as the year winds down:
1. Redefine what “finishing strong” means.
Finishing strong doesn’t have to mean finishing everything. Decide what matters by asking: “If I only accomplish three things before year-end, what will make the biggest impact?” Then let go of the rest.
2. Protect your pause.
Schedule time for rest the same way you schedule meetings — and treat it with the same respect. Even ten minutes to walk, breathe, or enjoy a quiet cup of coffee can help reset your mind. You can’t pour from an empty cup. Consider marking these well-deserved breaks on your calendar.
3. Trade multitasking for mindful focus.
Your brain can’t truly multitask — it just toggles between tasks faster, draining more energy. Give your full attention to one thing at a time. You’ll be more efficient and less frazzled, which is a win in any season.
4. Remember your “why.”
When everything feels urgent, reconnect to purpose. Whether that’s your team’s mission, your organization’s impact, or your family’s traditions, centering on why you’re doing the work helps the rest fall into perspective.
5. Give yourself permission to be human.
This time of year tends to magnify everything — our to-do lists, emotions, and expectations. You don’t have to do it perfectly to do it well.
As we round the corner into the final weeks of 2025, let’s finish strong—and stay standing. The real goal isn’t just to make it to the holidays — it’s to arrive with enough energy left to enjoy them.
The holidays will come and go, but your peace of mind is worth protecting. Finish well, and save energy so you can actually enjoy it.
PS: The ideas in this post are expanded in my upcoming book, You Don’t Bounce Back, You Rebuild Forward, coming in February 2026. It explores how we find momentum again after disruption—in life and in leadership.