This is the last weekly newsletter of 2025. We’re trying out a new email/newsletter system, hope all goes well!
Before we rush head-on into whatever comes next, let’s pause and take stock.
How has the year gone for you?
When I look back on the year, a few things stand out for me.
Business:
From a work perspective, launching The Arena has been a genuine highlight. It has felt alive from the start. Purposeful, human, and energising. Alongside that, TRIPS Tank has continued to grow in the right way. Deeper relationships with existing clients, meaningful new partnerships, and work that feels increasingly aligned with how I want to show up AND what people and businesses need from their leaders today.
Physical health and wellbeing:
Physically, hiking and Hyrox both gave me a lot this year. Structure, challenge, perspective. Breaking my ankle three weeks ago was most definitely a setback. Yet it has forced a different kind of learning. A slower pace. New framing.
Relationships:
Family time has been amazing. The kids are at such a great age. Ciara is loving her work. Superb holidays. First time skiing. Time in Spain and Portugal, and as always, the west of Ireland doing what it does best. One particularly big moment for us was Edie starting senior school and settling in so well. Watching her grow into herself has been a privilege.
Great meals and evenings with my parents, and delighted they’re both fit and healthy in their mid-80s. Looking forward to 2 nights over New Year with my siblings, our partners, parents and all the grandkids. That will be some craic.
Lots of funerals and sadness in the mix throughout 2025 too. It’s a part of life.
And then there’s the Inner game.
For me, this has been the standout. I began the year with an intention to live in wonder. Not forcing outcomes or chasing too hard. Staying curious. Accepting uncertainty, mistakes, setbacks, and change, while still building on what’s working. The last few weeks since the ankle break have tested that intention, and also confirmed it.
What led to these successes, and the navigation of the challenges, started with a thorough review of 2024. Then followed a meaningful plan to Live All-in for 2025.
This time last year, I shared a simple reflection exercise that began with a question:
What lit you up like a Christmas tree?
I still love that question.
Not because it’s about achievements, but because it points to energy. And energy is a great truth-teller.
When something lights you up, it usually reflects inner growth, values being honoured, or potential being accessed more fully.
That’s the spirit behind the Year in Review exercise I use with myself and with clients. It invites you to reflect across four areas (as I have briefly done above):
- Business
- Physical health and wellbeing
- Relationships
- Inner game
- Not to judge or score yourself, but to notice patterns. What worked? What drained you? What did you learn? What will you change next?
One of the most useful prompts in the process is simply this:
If I’m honest, what did this year teach me about how I’m living?
If you’d like a simple way to do that, reply to this email and I can send you a copy of the exercise.
You don’t need hours. Just some quiet space and a willingness to reflect honestly.
What you get in return is so valuable – clarity, focus, conviction, courage & energy.