The One Thing That Keeps Me Focused All Year

I’m a Lord of the Rings fan.   

There’s a moment in The Hobbit that always sticks with me. Bilbo and the dwarves are trapped by giant spiders, dazed and disoriented by the venom. But then, Bilbo climbs to the top of a tree, breathes in the fresh air, and gets a clear view of where they need to go next.

For me, the week after New Year’s feels a lot like climbing that tree.

 It’s my chance to pause, step out of the day-to-day grind, and ask myself some big questions:

• What am I working toward—and why?
• Does my definition of success still align with what I really want?
• Am I focusing on what matters, or just stuck in the weeds?

When I don’t take this time, it’s easy to get lost in a web of endless to-do lists. Tasks pile up, and I forget about the bigger picture.

This year, I’m taking it a step further. Instead of just reflecting once a year, I’ve decided to build this process into my calendar every quarter.

Why? Because life changes fast. What made sense in January might look very different by April. Checking in more often keeps me:

• Clear: Am I still focused on what matters?
• Adaptable: Am I adjusting to changes or stuck on autopilot?
• Aligned: Am I building a business that truly works for me?

It’s not easy to slow down when there’s always something to do. But stepping back has been one of the most powerful things I do for myself and my business.

If you want to try then just start with just an hour or two this week.

Step away from the chaos.

Ask yourself what you really want this year—not what others expect, not what your to-do list demands.  And then start your planning from there.