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December is the time of year when I look back and wonder where the year went. I spend the month of Advent reflecting on the soon-coming Christ. I also reflect on what has happened during the past year and consider what I want for the coming year. Most years, I look back on seasons where I felt stuck in the ambiguous terrain of what Jeff Manion calls the land between.
In-between time is often the murky landscape between starting and achieving, where motivation wanes and doubt creeps in.
The messy middle is not just a phase but a crucial proving ground where many people lose their way. It's a period of transformation when personal and professional growth converges.
Whether building a business, pursuing personal and family growth, or transforming your career, this phase tests your resilience and commitment like nothing else. Your journey isn't about avoiding challenges but maneuvering through them with intentional focus. Are you ready to transform uncertainty into your most significant strategic advantage?
Navigating changes requires more than just pushing through. You'll need to develop strategies for embracing uncertainty while staying connected to your purpose. When you want to quit, pause and reflect on why you started.
The messy middle isn't a roadblock but a transformative space where personal and professional growth converge, offering you a world of possibilities and opportunities for self-discovery. This end-of-year season is an opportune time for reflection and preparation.
The few moments you spend reading this post and taking action could redefine how you approach every life endeavor.
There are three questions to ask yourself to help you break through the messy middle:
This week, we'll tackle question one. We'll consider two on December 12, and three on December 19.
When you can explain your "why" in one clear, compelling sentence to someone who holds you accountable, you've found your north star through the messy middle. Your why guides your daily actions. Here are three practical steps to help you find your why.
Every meaningful interaction leaves an imprint on our sense of purpose, yet these moments often slip away in the rush of daily life. Creating a "moments of impact" journal will capture the fleeting interactions that shape your path and fuel your sense of meaning.
Start with simple reflection prompts:
These questions reveal impact events that might otherwise fade from memory.
Make introspection and gratitude practices part of your documentation process. When recording an interaction, note what happened and how it affected you and others: Did a team member's eyes light up when you offered guidance? Did solving someone's problem remind you why you chose this path?
Journaling is a reflective practice that helps you recognize your core drivers and align your actions with deeper intentions, fostering a sense of self-awareness and clarity.
Imagine sitting down and interviewing your future self—a powerful exercise in understanding your deepest future aspirations and life lessons.
Ask yourself probing questions:
Your future self holds insights into what truly matters. Engaging in this reflective dialogue will uncover hidden motivations and clarify your purpose. Ask about the dreams you've pursued, the relationships you've nurtured, and the legacy you're building.
Your future self has an emotional intelligence that your present self is still developing. Your future self weathered challenges, celebrated victories, and gained perspective on what truly matters.
When you align your current actions with your future aspirations, you create a bridge between who you are and who you are becoming. This exercise helps clear the noise of daily demands and reconnects you with your deeper purpose, making today's decisions more meaningful and intentional.
Three foundational questions can help you define your non-negotiables:
These questions become decision filters that guide your daily choices and protect your core values. They help align your actions with your deeper purpose, making today's decisions more meaningful and intentional.
Start by examining your boundaries - those invisible lines that, when crossed, leave you feeling depleted rather than fulfilled. Notice which daily routines fuel your spirit and which interactions drain your energy. These patterns reveal what truly matters to you.
Your non-negotiables also affect your commitment levels: When do you naturally go above and beyond and instinctively pull back?
These responses aren't random - they're clues to your deeper purpose. For instance, consistently prioritizing mentoring others despite a packed schedule reveals something essential about your values.
Write down your non-negotiables and review them regularly. They're your compass when facing tough choices or competing priorities.
As we stand at the threshold of 2025, I'm reminded of countless conversations with leaders who discovered their deepest calling in what seemed like their most uncertain seasons. The messy middle isn't just a phase to endure - it's sacred ground where God often does His most transformative work in our lives.
By identifying your why, understanding your purpose (post coming December 12), and beginning with the end in mind (post coming December 19), you will have practical tools to navigate this journey with greater clarity. These aren't just strategies - they are anchors that keep you grounded when doubt creeps in or the path ahead seems unclear.
Remember, some of history's most outstanding leaders found their most profound purpose not despite uncertainty but because of it. Moses in the wilderness, David in the caves, and Paul in prison emerged stronger because they stayed connected to their God-given purpose through seasons of uncertainty.
Let's make 2025 different. I invite you to set aside two hours this weekend or next week - pick a time when you won’t be interrupted. Maybe early morning when your mind is fresh - to craft your action plan prayerfully. Here's what I suggest:
Don't let this be just another post you read and forget. Your leadership journey matters too much for that. I’ve created a simple Purpose Planning Infographic to guide your planning process.
Click here to request your copy.
Now is the time to transform your uncertainty into clarity and your vision into reality. Your next season of impact starts with the decisions you make today.
Shoot me a note a let me know how creating your action plan went.
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