Are you operating on empty without realizing it? 

As leaders, we push through overstimulation, often unaware of its toll. But knowing when to pause and recharge isn’t indulgent—it’s essential to show up as our best selves.  

Solitude is a leadership superpower. 

Without it, our nervous system remains stuck in overdrive, locking us in fight-or-flight mode. That’s when burnout, irritability, and exhaustion take hold.

Does this sound familiar? It might be time to reclaim your energy if: 

1. Irritability creeps in: The smallest requests feel unbearable. This is your mind’s way of signaling overload.
2. Physical tension builds: Headaches, muscle tightness, and fatigue aren’t just physical—they’re symptoms of overstimulation.
3. You’re avoiding people: Ignoring calls and avoiding interaction are signs you need quiet, not guilt.
4. Rest feels impossible: Constant working, scrolling, or doing keeps you stuck in survival mode.
5. Unexplained anger flares up: Unchecked frustration often stems from unmet needs. Solitude creates space to process and reset.

The power of 20 minutes of intentional solitude 

Even short, deliberate pauses each day restore focus, energy, and emotional balance. Here’s how to create an environment that works: 

1. Set boundaries: Block 20 minutes on your calendar as non-negotiable. Treat it like your most important meeting.
2. Eliminate distractions: Turn off notifications, put devices away, and step into a quiet space.
3. Engage in stillness: Try mindfulness, deep breathing, or simply sitting with your thoughts.
4. Reflect and observe: What thoughts, patterns, or ideas surface when you stop doing? Take note—this is where clarity begins.

From pauses to breakthroughs 

Think 20 minutes of quiet isn’t enough? 

Many top-performing CEOs go even further. Consider Bill Gates’ famous Think Weeks, where he dedicates uninterrupted time to reflection and strategy.

The result? 

Visionary insights and innovative breakthroughs.

According to McKinsey, leaders who prioritize reflective thinking experience 25% more creativity and adaptability, while studies show intentional rest boosts productivity and emotional intelligence—critical traits for executive success.

The shift from good to great starts here. Make solitude a habit. Your energy, clarity, and team will thank you with an increase in creativity and innovation from everyone! 

1. The space between tension and ease.
2. If you come out, you can always step right back in.
3. We can be in both struggle and strength at the same time.

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What a beautiful, magical time of year this is, my friends. We’ve been captivated by the intricate details in the decorations, the energy of the seaso’s spirit, the kindness of strangers, and the simplicity of a joyful smile that can light up a room.

We’re also profoundly grateful to you—for being part of our community. Whether you engage with us weekly on LinkedIn, read our messages straight from your inbox, or catch snippets shared on social media, thank you for allowing us to share our mission:

“Be the one to show the world how truly great life can be.”

Together in 2024, we didn’t just create ripples—we made waves. The work we do at The Amplified Life Company wouldn’t be possible without the relationships we’ve built and nourished this year. These connections form the foundation of our shared success, and we’re honored to journey alongside you.

As the year draws to a close, we’ve completed our annual business planning and forecasting for 2025. Now, December is our time to reflect—individually and as a team. This process allows us to celebrate milestones, acknowledge lessons learned, and appreciate the unique gifts and talents that have driven our impact.

One practice we’ve found invaluable is using the Personal Annual Review, inspired by Salih Bloom. These 11 questions have guided us for years, fostering both personal reflection and meaningful team connection.

We’d love to share our process with you, hoping it inspires you to embrace conscious leadership in the new year.

The Reflection Process

1. Set the Scene:
Create a warm, inviting environment for your team to gather for 3 hours. Choose an alternative location, if possible, and provide healthy snacks, warm beverages, and comfortable seating. Encourage everyone to dress casually.

2. Prepare in Advance:
Share the Personal Annual Review with your team ahead of time. Let them know you’ll be completing it together during the session.

3. Reflect Individually (1.5 Hours):
Allow your team time to complete their reviews, encouraging them to move around and ask questions if needed.

4. Share and Celebrate (1.5 Hours):
Each team member shares their reflections, with a focus on these key areas:

• What Created Energy and What Drained Energy?
• What Were My Greatest Hits and Biggest Misses?
• What New Skill Did I Develop This Year That Elevated My Performance?
• How Did My Daily Habits Align (Or Misalign) With The Person I Want to Become?
• Where Did I Allow Fear To Stop Me?
• Who Were My Boat Anchors and Who Put Wind In My Sails?
• What Did I Learn This Year?
• I Am at My Best When ___________ (Aim for one word or a concise sentence.

5. After each person shares, invite 2-3 team members to offer specific, heartfelt appreciation for the individual who just spoke. Consider using a scribe to record responses and create a visual representation, like a word cloud, using tools like Wordle.net.

6. Dream for 2025:
Close the structured session by asking:
If anything were possible in 2025 (with no limitations—money, time, commitments, etc.), what would you want to see happen in your life?

Allow 30 minutes for team members to connect informally and process their reflections.

As We Transition into 2025

We invite you to carry these three truths into the new year:

1. There is no better time than the present—why wait? ACT.
2. You can do, be, and have anything you can think, dream, or imagine—but not all at once. FOCUS.

If this exercise resonates with you, we’d love to connect further. Set up a briefing with us at The Amplified Life Company—a holistic leadership development firm dedicated to helping small and mid-sized businesses transition from good to great in 2025.

Click HERE to tell us about your team and set a time to meet. 

• Efficiency vs. Productivity: Am I optimizing the systems and processes that support my goals, or am I simply busy?
• Growth as a Leader: What am I doing to help my team grow and become better leaders themselves?
• The Ultimate Goal: How can I inspire and empower others to reach their highest potential in 2025?

“Trying is wanting credit for something you never intended to do.”

Read that again.

Last week in Scottsdale, AZ, we wrapped up a two-day immersion coaching session with one of our executive clients. These unique experiences allow high performers to move through awareness, breakthroughs, and transformation rapidly to achieve sustainable growth.

One of the recurring themes during these sessions is the word “try.” It’s a word CEOs and executives often use unconsciously, yet it can subtly undermine leadership and decision-making.

Here’s why:

Why Executives Use the Word “Try”

1. Limiting Beliefs: Saying “I’ll try” is often a placeholder for self-doubt. It signals an internal belief that success might not be possible, limiting the potential for breakthrough actions.
2. Fear of Commitment: The fear of failure—or of being held accountable—leads leaders to hedge their intentions with “trying” instead of fully committing to action.
3. Lack of Clarity: When goals or desired outcomes aren’t clearly defined, “try” becomes a way to avoid making a clear decision, leaving teams without direction or focus.

How to Get Out of the “Trying” Cycle

High-performing leaders don’t “try.” They decide. They either DO or DO NOT. Breaking free from the “trying” cycle begins with effective decision-making.

1. Clarify Your Intentions: Before you commit, ask yourself: What does success look like? Define the outcome you want to achieve.
2. Commit to Action: Replace “I’ll try” with “I will” or “I will not.” Even a “no” is more powerful than an ambiguous “try.”
3. Follow Through Strategically: Use tools and frameworks to align your decisions with execution. Build a culture where accountability and commitment are celebrated.

The Right Fit for Executive Leaders

At Amplified Life, we specialize in helping CEOs and executive teams identify the roadblocks holding them back, refine their leadership approach, and create alignment for sustained success.

If you’re ready to move beyond “trying” and lead with clarity and conviction, let’s connect. Our Right Fit Conversations help us determine if we are aligned to work together as your executive coaching partner.

Book your conversation here: carmenohling.com/enquiry/

No more “trying.” It’s time to decide.

Are you “trying?”  Share your thoughts below…

1. Avoid conflict 
2. Avoid hurt feelings 
3. Believe it’s a waste of our breath (it wouldn’t do good anyway) 
4. Nobody else talks about it, so I shouldn’t either 

1. Cultivate Self-Awareness
   • Begin by noticing what you are withholding. Pay attention to your body and emotions—tightness in your chest or a sense of unease often signals withheld thoughts or feelings.
   • Identify your reasons for withholding. Are you avoiding conflict, fearing judgment, or assuming others won’t care?
2. Commit to Truthfulness
   • Practice revealing facts, thoughts, and feelings with clarity and honesty.
   • Avoid sugar-coating or dramatizing; stick to simple, accurate expressions of what is true for you in the moment.
3. Create a Safe Space for Openness
   • Model vulnerability and candor yourself. When leaders speak openly, they encourage their teams to do the same.
   • Set the intention for conversations to be productive and connection-driven rather than adversarial.
4. Use “Impeccable Agreements”
   • Make clear agreements about how information will be shared and received in your team or organization.
   • Emphasize that candor is a tool for growth, not criticism, and establish practices to reinforce this culture.
5. Acknowledge and Own Projections
   • Recognize when you’re projecting your beliefs, assumptions, or fears onto others instead of revealing your own truth.
   • Reframe judgment as curiosity and seek to understand others’ perspectives.
6. Practice Small “Reveals” First
   • Start with lower-stakes situations to build the muscle of candor.
   • Reflect on the outcomes—how your energy shifts and relationships deepen when you are honest.
7. Give and Seek Feedback
   • Actively request feedback about your candor and how it impacts the workplace culture.
   • Share your experiences of withholding and revealing to encourage team reflection and alignment.