“Always remember that you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”
~ AA Milne
Hi Reader -
Well … we've made it to December.
Just.
If 2025 has a genre, it might well be Tarantino-esque.
Intense, chaotic, unpredictable.
The best description I’ve seen for its effect is Annie Gupta’s word: “exhausterwhelmulated”, aka exhausted, overwhelmed and overstimulated rolled into one. 😂
I’ve certainly felt this at times, and I suspect you have too.
2025 - A year that felt like living in a Pulp Fiction meme.
This year has pushed me to re-evaluate what’s on my plate and what genuinely matters. I’ll be simplifying even further in 2026.
But before we close the chapter, here’s a final 3-2-1 for 2025 to help us step into the new year with more clarity, intention and good vibes.
3 Resources
1 - The Climate Brief Leaders Can’t Ignore
Building a sustainable business is no longer a moral preference, it’s a strategic necessity. In Nov 2025, ten of the UK’s top experts spoke directly to leaders across government, business and culture.
If you want a clear, evidence-based overview of where we truly stand with climate impacts (from health, food, national security, to the economy), watch this 26-minute recap of the recent National Emergency Climate briefing. The implications for organisations of all sizes are significant.
Harvard’s Arthur Brooks breaks down six research-backed variables that drive genuine workplace happiness and, in turn, business performance. They’re intrinsic motivators like autonomy, effectiveness, engagement, emotional connection and alignment.
It’s a useful reminder that perks and pay rises matter far less than how people feel, contribute and connect at work.
I'm anti everything "Black Friday", especially given the impact it has on SMEs - they deserve our support in more ways than one.
Small business owners make high-stakes decisions every day, often without the safety nets enjoyed by VC-backed or high-profile founders. Yet their courage and contributions rarely get the spotlight.
I love the idea of "everyday entrepreneurs" honoured by Kelly Berry in this piece, which highlights their quiet, persistent risk-taking that keeps communities and economies moving.
A new global study reveals a widening “empathy gap” between companies and the people they serve, further exacerbated by the rise of “LLMpathy”, aka AI-generated empathy without genuine understanding.
Empathy is fast becoming a measurable business advantage: it's a competitive differentiator, and a route to healthier, happier teams. In 2026, consider how you can embed it more intentionally: through leading by example, culture design, and mindful use of AI.
READ:The Economics of Empathy: why human connection is the future of business (World Economic Forum)
2 - Progress Beyond Profit
In volatile times, visible progress may slow, but there are other ways to measure growth that often matter more.
Rashmir Balasubramaniam (interviewed in Creating Cadence Episode 75) captured this perfectly in a recent post:
“It is vital to look at the intangibles: the capacity you’ve built, the resilience you’ve grown, the emotional and strategic range you now have access to.”
Wins comes in all shapes and sizes, remember to celebrate them all.
2025 has been a year of cumulative clutter, from emotional load and political noise to the very real piles on our desks and in our digital spaces. Clearing even a small amount creates momentum and reduces the mental fog that comes from “too much of everything.”
As Sara Engram writes, we risk “sealing ourselves in layers of noise, possessions, and busyness that keep us from noticing the life still unfolding around us.”
We need to create space to breathe.
Start small: a drawer you haven’t opened in years, the emails older than twelve months, the vase you hate dusting.
A quick reminder of what's coming up in the first quarter of 2026.
The Cadence Catalyst
A small group online mastermind over 8 weeks for entrepreneurs, consultants, fractional execs and creative founders who are successful, but stretched, and ready to build a more intentional, sustainably productive work life.
