The Final Weeks, Stop Sprinting, Start Setting

The year-end energy is palpable, isn’t it? It’s that cultural push, the collective agreement that December means we have to cram everything in, clear the slate, and burn out just in time for the holidays.

We look back at a whole year of incredible effort, and all we can see is the frantic, unfinished checklist. That feeling of running on empty isn’t just tiring; it’s a failure of strategy. For people and leaders who want long-term impact, operating in a non-stop sprint-and-crash cycle is unsustainable.

I personally like the tactic of not sprinting to the finish line; I use these weeks for strategic setting. And I encourage the teams, clients and people I work with to do the same.

We step back to look at the landscape, identify the leaks, and plot a path that ensures the next year starts with intention, not chaos.

This isn’t about setting big, overwhelming resolutions. It’s about asking better questions now so you can execute better later.

I use these 8 questions, rooted in my Stop, Pause, Think, Now Act blueprint, to turn year-end fatigue into focused energy for 2026.

The STOP & PAUSE Questions – Finding Clarity in the Quiet

Before you add anything new to your plate, you must identify what needs to be removed. These questions are about creating space, not just calendar space, but mental capacity. So you can actually see the path ahead.

1. What is the single biggest commitment you must break before January 1st?

This isn’t about finishing a project; it’s about intentionally cancelling or ending something that is draining you. It could be a recurring, low-impact team meeting, a subscription, or a personal habit you keep clinging to. This is the brave part of STOPping the leak. You give yourself permission to let go of the obligation, clearing the deck for what matters most.

2. Where did you fail to protect your time and energy this year?

Look back honestly. Did you consistently say ‘yes’ when you meant ‘no’? Did you skip the quiet time you promised yourself? Identify the specific boundaries that crumbled. This reflection isn’t for blame; it’s the foundation of your PAUSE. Knowing where the weakness is allows you to build a protective wall around your energy in 2026.

3. What did you consistently consume that did not nourish your capacity?

This is the big one in our digital age. Think about the energy you put into social media scrolling, negative news cycles, or draining conversations. Everything you consume costs you attention. What did you let in that didn’t fill your cup? Deciding to STOP this consumption is a direct path to mental clarity, ensuring your PAUSE is restorative, not just empty time.

4. If you could only achieve ONE major win in Q1 2026, what would it be?

This question forces radical clarity. Most of us try to achieve five “major” things, which means we achieve none of them well. By choosing one, you cut through the noise and immediately know where 80% of your energy should go. This singular focus prepares your brain for the strategic depth needed in the THINK phase.

The THINK & NOW ACT Questions – Turning Clarity into Momentum

Once the clarity is established and the clutter is removed, you can move into strategic planning and high-impact execution.

5. What single new skill or belief do you need to acquire to hit that Q1 goal?

Your goal is fixed, but what’s missing in your internal toolkit? Do you need to get better at delegation? Do you need to finally believe you are capable of charging your true worth? This isn’t just a skills gap; it’s often a belief gap. Identifying this resource now is the essential core of the strategic THINK.

6. Who is the ONE person whose support will make your 2026 non-negotiable?

Success is not a solo sport. You need co-conspirators. Who is the one person, a partner, a mentor, a coach, or a business associate, who will hold the line with you, offer unwavering support, and help you see past your own blind spots? Strategy, as part of your THINK process, includes building the right human infrastructure.

7. What is the first five-minute action you can take today to start 2026?

Momentum is everything. Don’t wait for January 1st to start building it. Identify the smallest possible task related to your Q1 goal. It could be sending an email, setting up a specific folder, or blocking out the first key meeting. Take that small, immediate NOW ACT step today to anchor your goal in reality.

8. If you had to choose a one-word theme for your 2026, what would it be?

This single word, Courage, Grounding, Expansion, Simplicity, becomes the guiding light for every decision you make throughout the year. It acts as an anchor for your overall ACTION, a quick way to check your compass when you feel lost. Let this word drive your overall intention and pace.

This is where the magic happens. By using the Stop and Pause to clear the deck, you’ve created the perfect foundation for Think and Now Act. You’ve moved from feeling overwhelmed by a list of vague resolutions to holding a focused, single-word anchor and a clear Q1 goal.

This process isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being prepared. It’s the difference between hoping for a great year and designing one.

Your Final Weeks are Your Power Weeks

These last few weeks of the year are not a penalty box; they are your power weeks. This is your chance to intentionally choose clarity over chaos, and rest over ruin.

You get to apply the discipline of setting now so that when January 1st arrives, you are already standing on solid ground, ready to execute.

Use this time not to frantically catch up, but to intentionally prepare. By applying these questions now, you are making a powerful commitment to yourself and your future success.

Your 2026 is waiting for the clarity you create right now.

RESOURCES AND NEXT STEPS

If you’re looking for more support and guidance, here are some valuable resources:

• Book a conversation to see how we can help you with your next steps HERE.
• Use our Flip The Thinking Tool Kit. Connect with your people deeper by sharing your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Use our Flip The Thinking Tool  kit HERE and share it with people around you. See how it helps you enrich the connection and conversation.
• Follow along on LinkedIn HERE
• Find out more about our women’s leadership programme HERE