December - Step out of survival mode and be inspired by your own imagination

December, the month of silence, nature goes into rest mode. After the blossoming spring, the season of full bloom, the harvest season of autumn, winter is synonymous with serenity and calm. Nature slows down and sinks into deep rest.

December, also the month to listen to your inner voice and seek connection with nature. Take time to reflect, without distractions and with a calm focus, on what the year has brought.

During my entire career, as a leader, I have always taken this moment of reflection. And this has given me valuable insights. I share them here in the hope they will give you some inspiration for your year-end reflections.

To get in the mood, I always take a blank sheet of paper (or blank screen) and answer the following 3 questions:

1. Which experience has made the greatest impression on me this year?

Last year I walked the last 7 stages of the Pieterpad in The Netherlands, from Coevorden to Pieterburen. I walked from South to North. During this journey I met and spoke to many people. These conversations gave me a lot of energy. Consciously enjoying nature, grateful for the freedom to be able to walk and share personal experiences is valuable to me, and touches the core of my existence.

Walking alone also confronts you with your own thoughts. It was good to be able to think about this in peace and quiet and to give my experiences a place. In addition to the hectic life that I also cannot escape, walking helps me to reconnect with myself. Happiness often lies in something very small.

A tip for myself that I would offer to you is to put the smartphone and social media aside more often.
Set up a physical meeting, have an in-depth conversation, experience something together. You will be rewarded with a good feeling, joy and satisfaction. This has a bigger effect on your health than a thumbs up or a like.

2. Which people have given me the most energy this year?

Apart from my dear family and relatives, who give me a lot of energy and satisfaction, I would like to emphasize the value of my friendships here. In particular the friendships from my student days.

These long-term (40+ years!) relationships are very dear to me. In these friendships, we share joy and sorrow with each other. Feelings of understanding, solidarity, understanding and camaraderie give me a lot of energy.

In addition, I gain a lot of satisfaction from working with my buddies from Noblahblah on a professional and personal level. Together we work on “making the world a little better by communicating well.” By being open and vulnerable, we bring out the best in each other.

Our customers reward us with very positive feedback on our workshops and coaching. Everyone involved benefits from this, which inspires and energizes me as an entrepreneur.

Investing in friendship and relationships makes people happier and gives life more meaning. Start doing this at a young age; you will benefit from it for the rest of your life.

I regularly make a list of “Energy Givers” and “Energy Takers” and become aware of how much time I put into both categories. I also think about how I can put more time into “Energy Givers.” I can recommend this wholeheartedly.

3. What activity did I do for the first time in my life?

Being open to new experiences is crucial in my life. New experiences add vibrancy and inspiration to my life. Through new experiences, I feel that I am living consciously and playing an active role in my own development.

This year I helped harvest grapes used to make wine for the first time. It’s actually strange, considering that I have been a great wine lover for many years. In any case, on an early, chilly Saturday morning in September, I helped bring in this year’s grape harvest together with friends. A very intensive process that makes you very happy.

It takes precision and physical strength to go from vine to vine with a full basket and bring in the harvest. It is very gratifying work. Afterwards we had coffee together and shared beautiful personal stories, as we looked out over the vineyard.

The summer holiday in Iceland was also surprising. The volcanic landscape that you find there is unique in the world. Pure and overwhelming. The natural forces of wind, water and geysers can be seen here in all their beauty. An active holiday that makes you realize that man has a humble and modest place on earth, which he must treat with respect.

Coaching entrepreneurs and Young Talents for the Lodewijk van der Grinten Prize for entrepreneurs was also a worthwhile happening. I use my years of experience from the business world to help them create “the best pitch of their lives”. What was new this year was that I also had the opportunity to coach professionals with a technical background. A great challenge that stimulates my brain and creates new connections.

Learning or doing something new inspires you and helps you get out of a rut. It is fun and exciting. It keeps you fresh, young and enthusiastic to start your day with energy. I am taking the time this month to calmly consider what I want to do for the first time in my life next year.

Step out of survival mode and be inspired by your own imagination

This has brought me a lot over the past 40 years. Step out of survival mode and be inspired by your own imagination.

As a coach, I help leaders to build this bridge and become more aware of their own role in choosing and learning from the experiences they have in their lives. A rewarding and valuable role that allows me to grow again.

The great thing about the above questions is that everyone answers them personally and differently. There is no right or wrong. I wish everyone the time and attention they need to think about this. Give your life more energy, more inspiration and new experiences in 2025. Good luck!