How to plan 2025 when you are overwhelmed

"I'll reflect on things later, when things calm down."

"I just need to focus on what's next."

"I don't see the point of looking back."

These thoughts used to run through my head constantly. Like many of us, I was caught up in the endless cycle of planning the next move, tackling the next challenge.

Last year was particularly intense. I was leading projects at a growing startup, launching my coaching practice, and trying to maintain some semblance of work-life balance. Every day felt like a sprint, and reflection seemed like a luxury I couldn't afford.

Then during a particularly stressful week, a colleague noticed my overwhelm and shared something that stuck with me. She suggested taking just 15 minutes each week to write down what worked and what didn't. Simple as that.

Initially, I was skeptical. But this small practice of noting down my experiences – both successes and setbacks – revealed patterns I had never noticed before. It wasn't about dwelling on the past; it was about learning from it.
​

The Surprising Truth About Looking Backward

Because I paused to look back - initially weekly and now also looking at the whole year - I discovered three powerful effects:
​

1. I made new connections

When we reflect, our mind starts to connect different parts of our life in surprising ways.

In my weekly reflections, I noticed that the same strategies I use to stay calm when I perform music on stage – taking deep breaths, remembering past successes, connecting to a deeper purpose – were exactly what I needed when delivering a Board presentation.

And looking at the bigger picture showed me something even more interesting – I realised the same confidence I feel as a musician could be harnessed to beat my imposter at work and succeed in challenging environments where I feel exposed as the only one (e.g. the only woman, the only young Board member etc).
​

2. I remembered my wins

Our minds often focus on what went wrong instead of what went right. But when we take time to look back, we remember our successes too.

My Friday notes helped me capture small victories I'd usually overlook – like turning around a challenging stakeholder conversation or implementing a teammate's suggestion that improved our process.

And when I looked back over the year, I remembered bigger wins, like the promotion I got early in the year. (I almost forgot I'd even been promoted because I was so focused on "the next thing.")
​

3. I made better choices

Looking back helps us make smarter decisions going forward. The reflection mode is different from our normal thinking mode - we can disconnect emotionally and look at situations objectively. This helps us extract the best lessons from our experiences.

Weekly reflection helped me notice when certain meeting formats consistently led to better outcomes, so I could adjust my approach in real-time.

And looking at the whole year revealed even deeper insights. Reflecting on the startup's financial fiasco taught me to ask deeper questions before joining any future ventures.

In other words, reflection became my superpower. Instead of slowing me down, looking back helped me to move forward.

​

The Hidden Pattern That Successful People Know

Now, you might be feeling the same reluctance I used to feel:

• “I’m too busy.”
• “I’ve tried this before — nothing changed.”
  
  

But here’s the truth: When you make time to reflect on your year, you accelerate your start to the next one.

• Especially if you work in a challenging environment.
• Especially if you’re juggling multiple responsibilities, or facing imposter syndrome, or dealing with difficult colleagues.
  
  

Just think about it:

• If you take five minutes to remember the times you felt most confident, you can bring that same energy to your next big meeting.
• If you highlight your achievements — no matter how small — they offset the negative voices that say you’re “not enough.”
• And if you analyse what went well and what didn’t, you’ll make far stronger decisions going forward.

​

Your 25-Minute Blueprint for 2025

That’s why I created a quick, 25-minute exercise to help you reflect on 2024 — so you can enter 2025 with a clear mind, new confidence, and a plan for even bigger wins.

Inside this short, structured worksheet, you’ll discover:

1. How to celebrate your wins (without downplaying them)
2. A simple process to learn from challenges
3. A reflective technique to track your growth over the past year
4. A fun way to dream bigger about what’s possible
5. A method to set clear goals so you know exactly what you’re aiming for in 2025

Once you download the worksheet and set aside just 25 minutes, you’ll be amazed at how many hidden strengths you already have — and how ready you are for whatever the new year brings.

​Click here to grab your copy now and let’s make 2025 your most assertive, fulfilled, and confident year yet.​

Remember: No one else can harness your past experiences for you. Take this chance to turn 2024’s lessons into fuel for your next breakthroughs.

Here’s to building the future you deserve.