There's Still Time, Right?
- Aurea Nova
- Nov 5
- 2 min read
Have you noticed it? The tension that comes as the year draws to a close.
For some, there’s a drive to push harder, smash those year-end targets, tick off a few more goals . For others, the easy distraction of endless holiday celebrations takes over; little persuasion is needed to move deadlines to January as fatigue finally catches up.
However you like to approach it, we really want to know, do you take an intentional pause at this point in the year to:
Notice what has worked and what hasn’t?
Check whether you’re where you want to be?
Figure out if your goals need to be realigned?
The space reflection creates
When we take an intentional pause, we create room for perspective, adaptation and the celebration of our wins, both big and small.
It’s far too easy to get caught up in the stress of our everyday lives and overlook how far we’ve come. But, if we don’t make time for this and we live in a constant state of high stress, it can slowly chip away at our confidence and begin to affect both our performance and our wellbeing. It’s also easy to lose control of our careers and to make choices that are more emotional than strategic.
Brené Brown describes such moments of reflection as the courage of vulnerability; the willingness to look honestly at our year without turning that gaze into self-criticism.
For many women, that balance can be hard to achieve. We’re encouraged to be self-aware, to take responsibility, to learn and adapt; all essential qualities in leadership and growth. But self-awareness can quickly tip into self-criticism when our inner dialogue becomes relentless and reflections turn into rumination.
That’s why it helps to have a framework. Something gentle to guide reflection, to hold focus without letting it slide into judgement.
Refinement, not reinvention
So why talk about this now, in November?
Because, before we know it, we’ll be seeing and hearing “New year, new me.” The internet will be filled with productivity advice and resolution checklists.
It’s well intentioned, but it can leave us feeling as though the only way to make progress is to start again from scratch. Much of the noise, subliminally or otherwise, will also tell us that we’re not enough as we are, or that we’re too much, and that fundamental change is the only way to stay relevant, visible or worthy. In reality, growth often comes from refinement, not reinvention.
Carol Dweck’s work on mindset reminds us that lasting development is built through curiosity and self-awareness. When we ask what did I learn rather than did I fail, reflection becomes an active process that turns experience into understanding.
A few moments of deliberate attention
This kind of reflection doesn’t need to take hours or lead to grand plans.
It’s about taking a few moments of deliberate attention to notice what’s working, what isn’t, and what matters most right now and in the months to come.
If you’d like a little structure for that pause, our free guide, The Intentional Pause, offers a simple framework to help you recognise progress, refocus your energy and close the year with intention.
