“While we were surely headed forward, moving ahead, I found it soothing to look back on our past. To remember where [I’ve] been as [I] move ahead.”
—Kwame Alexander
Reflection is a gift we give ourselves—to look back at where we’ve been and imagine where we’d like to land next. Even the best-laid plans can go awry, and within that lies great wisdom. There is much to learn in the moments that don’t go as planned, and those lessons often shape how we move forward.
BETA has offered a year-end reflection for the past five years, and this time, we’re starting a little earlier. The unpredictable waves of this year have felt especially strong, and taking more time to reflect might be exactly what’s needed.
Below are two reflection cards. The invitation is to complete the first card on or near the winter solstice. Create a quiet, comfortable space for reflection—free from distractions—and allow what needs to surface to do so. Write freely in a journal before transferring your insights to Card 1. Let what you’ve written rest for a few days, then revisit it to see what feels most true or relevant.
After a few weeks, return to the process with Card 2—ideally on or before January 1. Read what you captured earlier and notice what still resonates. This step invites you to consider how you’d like to dream of becoming in 2026.
Lately, I’ve been exploring systems thinking to better understand the layers beneath the surface—the multiple truths that often coexist. If helpful, revisit October’s blog for guiding questions that can help you clarify what matters most to you.
As you reflect on what you dream of for 2026, ask yourself: What would it take to be responsible for your own metamorphosis?
This timeline is simply a guide; move through the process in a way that serves you best.
Card 1: A Look Back on 2025 — A Reflection
Before moving on to the second card, offer yourself time to consider what emerged in completing Card 1.
Card 2: Dream a Little Dream
When you’ve completed the cards, I invite you to share them with me at novelette@betacoachingconsulting.com. I hope to create a montage that celebrates how we’re showing up—and growing—in community with one another.
Thank you for taking this journey with me.
Source of Inspiration
What I'll be reading
As a naturally curious learner, I tend to dive deeper into topics that already hold my attention (yes, I’m aware of the confirmation bias). Lately, I’ve been wondering what Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic might add to the conversation about authenticity and the idea of not being yourself, so I joined his 8 AM webinar to listen in.
I’ve never fully subscribed to the notion of bringing my whole self to work. Experience has shown me that not all parts of my “whole self” are always welcomed—and, frankly, there are times when no one should experience all of me. Just saying.
The webinar offered several gems, though I left with a few lingering questions about some of the ideas shared. Naturally, that led me to order the book. My November read will be Don’t Be Yourself: Why Authenticity Is Overrated (and What to Do Instead).
Song that inspires
Toast by Koffee (Mikayla Victoria Simpson) was something of an anthem for me in 2020. I couldn’t get enough of the song—or the video—and I found myself immersed in the lyrics.
Recently, the tune resurfaced while I was streaming music after not hearing it for a couple of years. A flood of warm memories engulfed my senses, and before I knew it, I was dancing.
When I hear the line,♫⋆｡♪ ₊˚♬ “Gratitude is a must♫⋆｡♪ ₊˚♬,” I’m reminded that all of life, in its many forms, can be a practice in gratitude. For so much.
Take a listen—and as you do, consider what gratitude means for you in this season of your life.
Reflection
Civility—where has it gone?
In a society that moves so quickly and constantly reshapes itself, some basics seem to be slipping away: small courtesies like “please,” “thank you,” “excuse me,” “no, thank you,” and “you’re welcome.”
On a cool, sunny fall Saturday afternoon, I stopped by one of my favorite cafés for mulled cider and a treat. While waiting in a line that stretched almost to the door, a gentleman—and I use that word loosely—crossed in front of me three separate times without saying “excuse me.” You might read that and think, What’s the big deal?
But at that moment, all I could think was, Really? What the hay?
My annoyance was mild yet sufficient to reflect on this person’s action, and it spoke volumes. It reminded me of how often I’ve encountered these moments — times when someone’s actions or quiet indifference make another person feel invisible.
In all fairness to this person, maybe they were just lost in their own thoughts and didn’t even notice me standing there in line on those three separate occasions. Yet it raises a deeper question: have we become so absorbed in our private worlds—our screens, our priorities, our inner monologues—that we’ve lost the simple awareness of others sharing the same space?
It’s easy to drift into our own bubbles, but in doing so, we miss these small moments of shared awareness that make us feel connected.
While I Still Have Your Attention
Thank you for reading BETA’s blog. I hope this month’s reflection offered clarity and inspiration as you shape your dream of becoming. As the year winds down, remember—sometimes the most powerful step forward begins with reflection.
If you’ve experienced the value of BETA’s work, a referral is the highest compliment you can offer. And if you’re ready to take the next step toward your 2026 vision, let’s talk about how coaching or consulting services can support that journey. [Book a 1:1 session with me today →]
If this content resonated, please share it with a friend or colleague. And if you’re not yet part of our community, subscribe to stay connected—we respect your privacy and never share your information.
Let’s also stay connected on LinkedIn.
