1016: 3 Questions to Ask Yourself Before the End of 2026 | Leadership Tips

Every December, I think I’ll make time to reflect on the year, what I learned, how I grew, what I want to carry forward, and what I want to leave behind. Then I get to the last couple of weeks of the year, smack dab in the middle of holiday chaos, and get mad at myself for having no time left to reflect. So this year, I’m starting my 2026/2027 reflection early, and I’m inviting you to join me. This year-end reflection has become critically important for me and my professional development. It provides the necessary time to look at what I accomplished over the last year, especially the unexpected accomplishments, and identify how these wins position me to uplevel my goals and my work in the upcoming year. Year after year, I’m surprised at what I learn about myself during this reflection time. This learning gets me so excited for the upcoming year!  In this episode, I’ll walk you through three questions to ask yourself to help you see what changed for you in 2026 and decide what you want to carry into 2027: What did you learn about yourself in 2026 that you can leverage in 2027? What do you want more of and less of in 2027? How will you define success for yourself in 2027 — no matter the state of the world, AI, politics, and continued chaos and upheaval? Grab a notebook, open a blank doc, or use whatever helps you think. Pause after each question to jot down what comes up, and give yourself permission to revisit your answers before the year ends. And if you know another leader who could use a little space to reflect, send them this episode and compare notes. You may be surprised by how fun, inspiring, and motivating this simple exercise is! Links Mentioned: Hire Sara to speak: saradean.com/speaking Coach with Sara: https://saradean.com/executive-coaching-services Connect with Sara on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saradeanspeaks Watch Shameless Leadership episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@saradeanspeaks Take my Leadership Archetype Quiz: saradean.com/quiz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices