What does your growth system for 2026 look like? To make attainable goals and to set them in achievable time frames.

In 2026, the leadership focus that matters most for me is prioritizing my needs and encouraging others to do the same.

In 2026, I am no longer carrying the habit of trying to fix things.

The things that quietly (and not so quietly) drained me the most in 2025 were the remediation and renovations to my home. It was an awful and sometimes shocking experience that consumed me to the core. I will give you the highlights, some of the details are horrendous. I live in a condo community. My next-door neighbor had a fire in April. No one was hurt. All five connected units at the minimum had the air vents professionally cleaned due to smoke...I had more!!! Due to smoke and soot, our two units had carpet and attic insulation removed, walls and ceilings cleaned, and loud air scrubbers in our homes for weeks. My furniture was removed. Flooring was put down, and I was in a hotel for a week while painting was done. Finally, my furniture and clothes were cleaned and returned in October. A decision you kept avoiding – Which company to engage according to the options provided. Remediation only or the same company for remediation and renovation. A recurring meeting – No set meetings. Just calls out of the blue to meet and get into the house right away, as if I were not working and had nothing else to do but sit at home waiting for them. A workflow or process – Usually last minute scheduling and date changes; hurry up and wait. As if I were not working and had nothing else to do but sit at home waiting for them. A policy or rule – The insurance company. A role you kept carrying – Being my own project manager and advocating for myself. A relationship dynamic – Still cordial with my neighbor.

One behavior I strengthened this year is the ability to be pro-active and to step up. The priest at the church where I am assigned resigned. My overall leadership abilities have been strengthened because I am willing to cover all the bases that I can as deacon without going beyond my purview. I am creating programs and activities, enlisting volunteers, and representing the church in the community while maintaining my usual duties with pastoral care and other ministries. A second behavior I strengthened is knowing my purview, limits and personal boundaries. Due to unforeseen renovations in my home over the spring/summer/fall and the tendency for renovations to be hurry up and wait, I am seeing procrastination in my personal life.