Do you want an unpopular, counterintuitive take on how we predictably mismanage our lives, families, jobs, and ministries to close out any given year? Far too many leaders, squander the primely-positioned window of time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day where distinct separation is created between those who simply manage what is handed them and those who lean into their full influence with tenacious focus. As one writer puts it, “We will be remembered more for our final moments (not just at the end of life but the end of any season) than our finest moments.” In contrast with those who keep more of a sedentary itinerary to close out the year, these finals weeks have become a secret sauce of leaders who seems to mysteriously always have the wind at their back when they flip the calendar. It-this intangible, unflappable momentum-is far less “random and circumstantial” and must more the result of wise, strategic choices.

Here are a few disciplines that I observe in those who consistently start the new year with a “full head of steam” of which I am increasingly experiencing the annual benefits:

  1. They will fully lean into the feasting and be completely present in the family time without any sense of guilt.
  2. They will give extra time, energy, and money to help a few others close out their respective tough years “in the black.”
  3. They will invest significant, intentional time in praying and preparing to hit the ground running with fresh vision.
  4. They will thoughtfully add the next permanent-moving-forward discipline/habit in their personal space.
  5. They will dig into a book or two on personal development instead of overindulging in front of the TV, phone, or computer.
  6. They will, no matter who is baling or fading, double down on their personal commitment to and investment in the local church and its God-given mission.
  7. They will free up their mind’s white space by automating and delegating everything possible.
  8. They will enjoy the good food and extra naps, but maintain an overall disciplined diet, routine, and exercise regiment.
  9. They will sing instead of bemoan their way-whether in the car, home, or church-into the new year.
  10. They will further let go of trying to be virtually omniscient about all things/all people/all places to relentlessly specialize in the local, relational contexts that God has placed them.
  11. They will find novel, refreshing environments to gain fresh inspiration in their personal and professional lives.
  12. They will develop an annual plan for personal and family priorities as much as those of a professional, vocational nature.
  13. They will say “thank you” in thoughtful, meaningful ways to everyone who has shared in the past year’s successes.
  14. They will spend some time getting feedback from and dreaming out loud about the future with their God-assembled team.
  15. They will work at more intentionally resting on their weekly sabbaths.
  16. They will release, without gossip or bitterness, the inconsequential hurts and disappointments caused by others around them.
  17. They will focus less upon creating new opportunities and spending more time meaningfully meeting needs that already exist.
  18. They will ruthlessly declutter any energy-sapping aspects of their schedule, their belongings, and their responsibilities.
  19. They will embrace the inefficiencies of fresh ideas over the convenient ruts of repeating on auto pilot what they have already said and done for the umpteenth time.
  20. They will, in between the holidays, not just work in their profession but also on their profession.
  21. They will stop make excuses where they need to take full responsibility for where they are at and where they are headed.
  22. They will lose any comparison/competition with other leaders in person or online that dilutes their own concentrated impact.
  23. They will reflect anew and afresh upon the spiritual, eternal implications of the sacred truths that undergird these annually-celebrated holy days.

Makenzie Smith posted on X just a few days ago a thought that can definitely be overdone, but most of us swing to far the other way during the holidays:

“It’s officially separation season. This is a concept I heard someone talk about a while back that I’ve always loved.We’re entering a season where you can dramatically separate yourself from your competition (or the old version of you). Everyone else is pulling back, slacking on habits, and taking time off. It’s the best time to go full throttle ahead and set yourself up for success going into 2026 and beyond.”

Want to do additional work on your approach to end the year, Here’s a great post on Instagram regarding “9 Questions To Sit With During The Last Month of 2025.”

Without this differentiating intentionality, we will inevitably binge on far too many of the literal/figurative “empty carbs” to process the extra stressors and down time of December. As Billy Sunday of yesteryear so visually preached, ““Stopping at third (base) adds no more to the score than striking out. It doesn’t matter how well you start if you fail to finish.” To score, as a leader, not just in the present year but also is the pending one, we must learn to finish strongly.

One more thought from another leading voice on this subject for spiritual leaders, “Develop your craft and skill to the point that you are under the Spirit’s control not under anxiety’s control.” Unnecessary anxiety. Yes, you read that right…”industry standard” anxiety that is truly unnecessary and the result of being underprepared/under-rested. Truly the FUTURE belongs to those FINISH well!

And that’s not even taking into account that Jesus-the ultimate leader of poise/preparation-may show up in 2026. With this imminent return in view, we should be leading the way with Paul’s admonition in Romans 13:11-12, “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.” Wow… that breathtaking thought alone ought to shake us always-leading-around-the-corner influencers for Christ out of our early winter doldrums!

Are you-like me-done with coasting across the finish line of December? Which of the above choices of the will do you need to prioritize between now and the ball-drop on January 1?

Photo by Elijah Boisvert on Unsplash