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"What's a metaphor for how you're doing right now?" is one of my favourite ways to start any call. People generally answer "How are you?" with "I'm fine." or "Good." The metaphor question is a bit disruptive, in a good way. It makes people sit up and notice how they are actually feeling and then try and find a metaphor that fits. It invites people to be real.

The world has been a lot lately. There's some chaotic change energy sloshing around the world (South Korea, France, Syria, the health insurance CEO who was killed in NYC, nearly one month into a postal strike in Canada). In my personal life I've been juggling a few things that are hard and stretching my capacity. Some days I definitely feel like a full bucket with water sloshing over the sides. People have been very understanding--most people I know are dealing with a least one big thing in their life.

For myself I'm noticing my capacity has grown. My bucket is bigger. A year or two ago I'm not sure I could've handled some of these things. It's not easy, and I'm managing, with a bunch of support from others.

My life also has moments of joy, connection and delight.

My intention is to wrap up this year intentionally, rest and reflect over the holidays, and then dream and plan 2025.

Here's some tools to help do that.

Year Compass

I'm a big fan of using the tool Year Compass to look back on the previous year and look ahead to the new one. I'm co-hosting an online event on January 7th to do this in community.

It'll be a choose your own adventure type of event. You can choose to use the time to go camera off and work on your own, work with minimal interaction with others or go into breakout rooms to talk about your answers and connect with people.

The first hour we'll look back and take stock of 2024. We'll have a dance break and then spend the second hour dreaming and planning 2025.

Spaces are limited to 99 people and it's free! It's filled up the last few years I've hosted this. Come join us!

Chaos to Clarity

Chaos to Clarity is a 60 minute 1:1 coaching session where you’ll get clear on your priorities for the rest of the year. You’ll leave the session with a clear plan on what you’re saying yes to and what you’re saying no to for the rest of 2024.

There are 5 3 spots left. Sessions must happen this week.

The cost is $475. If you work in an educational institution or non-profit reach out for a discounted rate.

Planting seeds for 2025

I've been dreaming out loud with coaches, facilitators and consultants who I partner with about the impact we want to have in the world in 2025.

I ask good questions that help organizations, teams and individuals see what's really going on below the surface. I then help them get clear on where they want to go. I'm here to make equitable futures irresistible.

Here's some of the seeds I'm planting:

• Working with teams that are a little (or a lot dysfunctional) that are hungry for change
• Working with teams where things are good but they want them to be even better
• Serving white executive leaders who want to do their personal and leadership work so they can lead inclusive teams at work
• Designing corporate offsites in nature

What does your workplace need help with?

Podcasts

I'm an extroverted thinker, so thinking out loud with people helps me get clear on my ideas.

Generally Curious

I loved talking with Lindsey Lerner from Generalist World about inclusion, values and leadership.

Global Inclusion in Practice

I predict that in 2025 the conversation about DEI will be less of a US centric one and more of a global one. I was delighted to chat to Vivian Acquah and Marjolijn Vlug in Amsterdam about the need for DEI professionals to bring more than passion to this work, authentic leadership and talking with people who have different viewpoints than us and choosing to continue to stay in relationship.

If you're looking to get a global take on DEI, I highly recommend subscribing to their podcast.

My Aligned Purpose

I'm in conversation with Nicole Crone from My Aligned Purpose about inclusion, sex work and using my authentic voice on LinkedIn.

Coaching

I love witnessing my clients grow and succeed on their terms.

This client works in big tech and both earned the promotion she wanted and got clear on her values and what matters to her. She is clear on where work fits in her life, not the other way around.

Card decks I love

I love a card deck. I both appreciate they are not linear and how they feel in my hands. I often start the day by asking "what do I need to know today?" and pulling a card.

Get one for yourself or they make great gifts.

Here are some of my favourites.

The Nap Ministry's Rest Deck

This has been my favourite deck of 2024. Each of the 50 cards from Tricia Hersey's The Nap Ministry's The Rest Deck has powerful and timely messages about rest, care and imagination.

If you want me to pull a card for you, hit reply and let me know. I'll send you a photo of the card I pull for you.

The Remarkable Life Deck: A Ten-year Plan for Achieving Your Dreams

My partner and I used The Remarkable Life Deck as prompts for a New Year's Day visioning walk in the forest one year. We pulled random cards out of our pockets and discussed them as we walked through the forest. 10/10 highly recommend.

Adri's Feelings Deck

Adri is a artist, trauma-informed embodiment practitioner and energy healer in Vancouver.

A group I worked with introduced this deck to me. There are 33 cards about human emotions and a companion journal. Check out all the workshops that are happening in her AO Space.

Lineages of Change tarot

From the AK Press website:

I'm going to have to take their word for it because I'm still waiting for mine to arrive due to the postal strike. Even thought I wish I had this deck in my hands, I wish for postal workers to get a fair contract even more.

What do you wish for? ✨