Dec 7th, 2024

Needs Improvement Newsletter

Hey friends,

Here's a sobering fact. There's only 16 working days left before the end of the year.
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That’s just 16 days to wrap up projects, set goals for the next year, and maybe even carve out a moment to reflect on everything this whirlwind of a year has brought.

But let’s be honest, this time of year can feel overwhelming. The deadlines, the expectations, the distractions… all piling up when energy is running low.

Instead of sprinting to the finish line in a haze of stress, what if we took a different approach?

This week’s edition is all about reclaiming focus and intention, even in the busiest of seasons. It’s about turning down the noise of distractions and tuning into what really matters, whether it’s your work, your relationships, or your well-being.

So, let’s make these 16 days count—not by doing more, but by doing what matters most.

The 16-Day Reset

Ok, so there are only 16 working days left before the end of the year. What do you do with that information?

That’s not a lot of time, especially if you’re feeling scattered or like the year has slipped by faster than you planned.

Deadlines, meetings, holiday prep, expectations, and let’s not forget, trying to make time for reflection.

The end of the year can feel like a blur, leaving you wondering where all your energy went.

But here’s something I’ve learned from coaching high performers and ambitious professionals, and seeing the patterns that emerge in this frantic final stretch: the problem isn’t time. It’s how we approach it.

Here’s the trap many of us fall into:​
We convince ourselves that the last few weeks of the year are a sprint to the finish line. We pile on more than we can realistically accomplish, hoping sheer willpower will carry us through. Then, when we inevitably hit a wall, we tell ourselves we’re lazy, distracted, or not trying hard enough.

That cycle? It’s self-sabotage in disguise.

What if we rewired that narrative?​
The truth is, these final days are less about finishing everything and more about finishing aligned. That means taking a hard look at what you’re trying to accomplish and asking yourself:

“Does this really matter to me? Does it move the needle on what’s important?”

Because here’s the thing: not everything needs to be done before the clock strikes midnight on December 31st.

What if, instead of cramming, you used these last 16 days to do what most people won’t—slow down and reset?

Here’s a practice I use with my clients:

The Year-End Focus Filter

Take 10 minutes, right now if you can and grab a pen and paper. Or reply to this email and I can be your accountability buddy.

Answer these three questions:

1. What’s one thing I’ll feel proud of completing before the year ends?​
   Not 10 things. Just one. The thing that will give you a sense of peace and satisfaction as you look back.
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2. What can I let go of without guilt?​
   Be ruthless. If it’s not essential or aligned, it doesn’t need to take up space in these last 16 days.
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3. What small ritual can I create to reflect and close out the year with intention?​
   Maybe it’s journaling, a quiet walk, or writing a letter to yourself about what you’ve learned this year. It doesn’t have to be big—it just has to be meaningful.

Here’s what you’ll notice:​
When you let go of the noise and focus on what truly matters, time stretches. You stop feeling like you’re running out of time and start seeing it as a resource to be spent wisely.

So, here’s my challenge to you: Let’s rewrite the script for these last 16 working days.

Not by doing more.
Not by chasing someone else’s version of success.
But by showing up for what matters most to you.

I’d love to hear what you’re prioritizing as the year winds down.
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Hit reply and let me know, sometimes just naming it out loud is the first step toward making it happen.

PS: Want more practices like the Year-End Focus Filter? Scroll down below to download one of my journaling prompt workbooks that will help you not only wrap up the year in an aligned way, but also carry you through the year ahead.

Let’s end this year intentionally. Together.

In Solidarity,

Nicholas Whitaker
Coach and Co-Founder changingwork.org​

Calling All Storytellers: Become an Author in Our Next Book!

At my nonprofit Changing Work, we believe in the power of community, both at work and in the stories we share.
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That’s why I'm thrilled to invite you to co-author our next book:

“Are We Friends or Coworkers? Exploring Community in the Workplace.”

This is your chance to contribute your voice and join a community of thought leaders exploring the questions that define our work lives:

• How do leaders and team members experience community differently?
• What happens when workplaces try to act like "family"?
• Can we truly bring our whole selves to work?
• Do you have a “work persona” that’s different from who you are outside of work—and why?

We want to hear your stories, reflections, and ideas.
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Whether you’re a leader, team member, or someone who’s simply passionate about creating conscious communities at work, your voice matters.
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Want to join us in writing a book about conscious business?
We're keeping applications open until mid January.
​Apply here

New Episode of the Needs Improvement Podcast: Creating Happiness in Business | Jackson Kerchis, Co-Founder, Happiness Means Business

Join host Nicholas Whitaker and Jackson Kerchis, Co-Founder at Happiness Means Business (HMB) as they discuss the the impact of happiness on productivity and success.

Jackson discusses his diverse background, including his time as a Zen monk, teaching a happiness course, and creating his own Happiness major at the University of Alabama. In both the military and private sector contexts, psychological safety, social connection, and intrinsic motivation in the workplace are key motivators - how can we harness them for good?

Jackson also delves into the generational shifts driving changes in the workplace and explores practical steps that both individuals and leaders can take to operationalize happiness for better performance and wellbeing.

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Subscribe to the Needs Improvement Podcast

Client Testimonial

Ready for more? There are 3 ways we can work together

1. ​Apply for a call and explore how 1:1 coaching can help you live a conscious and intentional life
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2. ​Download my workbooks to help make sense of yourself and the world around you in uncertain times
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   (I've now made them all available for free in anticipation of my new self paced course and email series based on this initial work!)
   
3. ​Join the Changing Work Collective and be a part of the movement to change work from the inside out.