Either at the end of a year or the beginning of a new year, NOW is that time of year when many traditions are honored, new rituals and adventures are tested, and there are scads of “lists” that are developed, shared, and reflected upon. Some of the usuals are in the genres of music, movies, and books, while the more not-so-usuals include lists like the best financial products (Best Of by Nerdwallet), or best dishes eaten across the US, or the best office chair for 2025.
As a leader who is either leading a team of high-performing employees or working as a stand-alone individual contributor, there are ‘best of’ lists that could serve you well both in your own professional development and organizational leadership, as well as in your personal health and wellbeing.
A few other lists broken into four categories include:
- PODCASTS
- The Best Business Podcasts of 2024 (webbyawards.com)
- New & Noteworthy Podcasts from 2024 (NPR.org)
- MUSIC
- BOOKS
- 25 Life-Changing Books to Read in 2025 (Amy Landino on YouTube)
- 10 of the Best Books of 2024 (pbs.org)
- MISCELLANEOUS
- Top Leadership Articles of 2024 (reworked.co)
- Best Inventions of 2024 (time.com)
- Favorite Books, Movies, and Music of 2024 (medium.com)
- 25 Best Places in the World to Travel to in 2025 (nationalgeographic.com)
As you take time to peruse these lists, you may find yourself wondering, “What were some of my Best Of’s in 2024?” Think about what you are most proud of and maybe what do you want to take into the new year with you, be it to continue a good thing or improve on something else? Take the time to grab your beverage of choice, find a comfy place, and give yourself the gift of pondering on that question. This act of slowing down and reflecting is not a popular one and may be judged as an unproductive one by others; however, as a leader, reflection time is important. You deserve to take the time to question and reflect as you move into the new year.
For me… I’m grabbing my current read, Wintering by Katherine May, a warm cup of Vanilla Bean Macaron tea, and hunkering down to read a bit. For you… a gift of a quote from Wintering: “Once we stop wishing it were summer, winter takes on a sparse beauty and even the pavements sparkle. It’s a time for reflection and recuperation, for slow replenishment, for putting your house in order. Doing those deeply unfashionable things—slowing down, letting your spare time expand, getting enough sleep, resting—is a radical act now, but it is essential. It’s one of the most important choices you’ll ever make.”
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