The Threshold Between Who You’ve Been and Who You’re Becoming

For many, December is a doorway month. It’s the completion of the old year while also being the preparation for the new year preparing to enter.

Most high-achieving leaders use this season to plan, strategize, or sprint to the finish line. But those doing the deeper work – the kind of work I see in private with founders, investors, and C-suite leaders – feel something subtler happening. It isn’t just the month for preparation for a new or renewed vibrancy in the company, it’s also a time to review their role in the upcoming year.

It’s assessing and perhaps preparing for a quiet shift in identity, a new way of leading and living. It’s another year of calling for a time to reassess, asking “Am I doing what I really want to be doing?” “What can I change to bring in more joy?” Long-forgotten passion, creativity, and vision?” “What needs to change to bring more of me into my life?” “Less stress or emptiness?”

For those who take the time to reflect, and honestly many give themselves permission to do so, it is clear the old way of operating is losing its grip. However, the next version of who you are becoming hasn’t fully arrived. You’re standing at a threshold, in that doorway. You need to create the vision in order to fully achieve it.

Some I have spoken to fear that any significant change can destroy what’s been created within their marriage, their family unit, and their careers. I’m not talking about creating a crisis in order to blow everything up. I’m referencing instead, an amazing progression, evolution, or transformative experience, call it what you will, but an experience, a calling, as a byproduct of that reflection, that pulls you into the next best expression of who you are becoming. When it’s done with heart, it subtly pulls others along with you in creating a ripple effect.

Some go on retreats to achieve that level of self-understanding, some simply take a day or an afternoon of reflection. For some, unfortunately, it is the inner outcome of a major medical or financial issue that arose. Taking the time before either of those issues show up is a gift you give yourself. It could prevent one or both.

When your patterns begin to feel too small for the life you’re living, you’re being invited to evolve — spiritually, psychologically, energetically. Not by force… by alignment. Go for it!

Reflection:

What part of you is asking to be left behind — not because it was wrong, but because it’s complete? No longer serves you? Even holds you back?

If December feels like a threshold year for you, reach out. These transitions aren’t meant to be walked alone.