End of the Year! Time to Reflect, Refresh then Refocus for 2025
By Michael J Griffin
5-minute read
2024 is drawing to a close and we as B2B salespeople and sales managers are closing in on the 2024 sales marathon we have been running! Let’s “reflect” the sales race you have run in 2024? Then how might we “refresh” ourselves and team in December. How will we “refocus” on making 2025 our best year yet?
Reflect on 2024
What would be the one word that describes your 2024? For me it is “Thrive” rather than “Strive”. I learned from teaching Vistage CEO’s the seven principles of Antifragile by Nassim Taleb that I can and will thrive through change and chaos, to serve my customers better, maintain healthy relationships by being more patient and less critical, and leave margin in my daily life. The practices found in Antifragile have led to a 100% growth in ELAvate sales, taking 2 months of holidays, and deeper relationships with my family, friends, mentors and colleagues, minimal stress, and, of course customers who I enjoy serving. Take a minute and reflect what is the word that describes your 2024, then write out a paragraph that expounds on your “reflect” word for 2024.
Some more reflect questions for you to assess your 2024.
Who do you need to thank for a successful 2024? List those people out and write them a hand written note, a heartfelt email, or a face to face meeting with possibly a small gift. Remember not just to thank them, but give your reasons for how they have impacted your life in 2024.
What were your personal achievements in 2024? This could be in sales, health, learning, finance, being a parent/spouse, or new experiences in your life.
What were some of your failures and possible regrets in 2024? State them and the consequences and then what did you learn or how did you grow from these failures. As John Maxwell says “Fail Forward.”
Refresh Yourself and Others
After a physical marathon ( I have run three) you body and mind need to recover and be refreshed to run the next race. May 2025 will not be a marathon, but possible a series of sprints, or a cross country race of up and downs. You need to refresh to be ready. Here are some suggestions to refresh yourself, your team and relationships in December, and in Asia the lull till Chinese New Year.
Take a Short Sabbatical. Schedule a two – three day sabbatical at a local holiday spot. For me I will take one with my daughter Jasmine in Penang exploring historical Penang, and then to Ubud Bali with my granddaughter Lara and my trusty bicycle. Both sabbaticals I will hang out and serve my daughter as her tour guide for history, architecture and Nonya food. With granddaughter Lara, be the positive influence of values and behaviors when in cross culture environments as well as being the “explorer” of new adventures for my 6 year old Lara. No work, no stress, but in December, thrive in positive relationships outside of my career. This kind of sabbatical can involve nature hikes, relaxing massage, volunteering, engaging new hobbies, and possibly a spiritual practice if you are so inclined.
Take Your Sales and Support Team on a Fun Day. Some ideas might be paint ball gaming, visit to a zoo, or a day trip for swimming or durian! The other option here is to give you team extra days off beyond their normal vacation days. My team has December 13th to January 1st for extra time off to reflect and refresh themselves with family and friends.
Have a One on One Development Meeting with each of your Salespeople and Support Staff. This meeting is separate from any performance appraisal or salary and benefits review meeting. During this developmental meeting you and your employee discuss what activities, training, self-learning and budgets can happen to grow the employee based on 2024 reflections, and plans for 2025. I put this in “refresh” as this type of meeting should certainly “refresh” the employee as you focus on their growth and development rather than those organizational KPI’s.
Do a Sales or Leadership Profile for Yourself or Employees. People always want to find out more about themselves and doing a reputable profile is a good, refreshing way for people to gain insight on how they are growing as a person. Do a sales profile salespeople, service profile for customer service and a leadership/manager profile for team leaders. I suggest the TTISI DISC/DF Motivator Profile (Manager, Sales or Service versions), Gallup Strength Finder, or even the Stress Map by Essi. More detailed and expensive profiles are Chally Profiles and Harrison Assessments.
Salespeople Competition Games. Salespeople enjoy competition yet may not practice much team collaboration. Arranging competition games with salespeople in teams with colleagues from service, logistics, finance and HR can be a fun way to reduce “silos” and inspire collaboration. Some ideas around games include “Family Feud” or “Jeopardy” games using polling or power point. We use Survival Team Competition games at ELAvate. Outdoor games at a reputable center or outdoor games found by googling can be conducted for fun and teamwork. Ensure there are nice prizes for the winning team members like chocolates, Decathlon/Fashion gift cards or short interesting books.
Refocus on 2025
The process of “refocus” is to prepare a vision and game plan to run the race, not the “rat race,” in 2025 for your best year yet. Your vision, game plan and goals may vary depending where you are in life and your career. For example, at my older age as an entrepreneur and grandparent, my goals will be quite different from the younger married couple or the middle aged manager/leader at “half time.” The key element is to “Thrive in 2025.” A bit of a rhyme eh? Two suggestions in this blog to get you started.
Read the Antifragile book or summary to learn how to thrive through change and chaos. Write out specific actions and attitudes you can employ to thrive.
To “thrive” means to have not a “balanced life” but a “wholesome life.” Balance means for a lot of executives balancing career on one side of the fulcrum and everything and everyone else on the opposite side of the “life see saw.” Avoid the rat race!
In my next blog for you, I will give you insights on how you can have a more wholesome life in 2025 that can lead to greater success and significance with less stress in your career, relationships and personal growth and adventure. Stay tuned!
If you wish to have a short insightful discussion with me on Reflect – Refresh – Refocus, send me an email or text on WhatsApp.
Have great December living the 3R’s!
Michael J Griffin
Founder and CEO ELAvate
Maxwell Leadership Founding Member
An Antifragile Leader for Healthy Relationships
michael.griffin@elavateglobal.com
+65-91194008 (WhatsApp)