At the end of every year I like to do an annual review. This year I decided to publish it and share it with you in the hopes that it will further connect us and maybe inspire you to do the same. It’s a fun process that I always end up spending too much time doing. Feel free to steal these questions and try it for yourself:

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

• What went well last year?

• What didn’t go well last year (and what did I learn)?

• What am I focused on this year. 

What went well last year?
I started 2024 with a bold resolution: protect my personal time and be more present with my 4-year-old son. It’s one of those decisions that sounds simple but feels heroic when you’re balancing a business, a life, and an ever-energetic child who insists on turning every stick into a sword. Watching him transition from a toddler to a little boy made me acutely aware of how fast time flies, and suddenly I found myself in a mild existential crisis. So, I made a commitment—I would do school pick-ups whenever possible, take on fewer clients, and set clear boundaries: no work in the evenings or on weekends.

Funny enough, I was bracing for a financial hit when I made this commitment, thinking, Well, there goes the income—worth it, though. But, alas, nope. Instead of earning less, I had my best sales year ever. Turns out, you don’t need to work all hours of the day to grow a business. Who knew? Protecting my time and energy didn’t just make me happier; it made me better at what I do. And when you show up rested and sharp, people notice—and they want to work with you.

On the professional front, I had some exciting opportunities to lead leadership days, team training sessions, and board workshops. I got to partner with inspiring organisations—universities, the British Library, charities, and theatres. Every one of these stretched me in a good way, keeping me sharp and slightly terrified, which, if you ask me, is the perfect combination for growth.

Another big highlight was diving deep into personal growth and investing on more courses to develop my coaching skills. At the beginning of the year I ask myself what is the priority for me as a coach- get richer or get really good at what I do- and the former prevailed. I went all in on learning from some of the best in the field—Esther Perel, Terry Real, David Drake, and Gabor Maté. Their insights helped shape not only my work but also how I approach relationships, leadership, and the messy beauty of being human.

One unexpected but delightful twist was working with clients outside my niche- I was introduced to techs from Silicon Valley, and realtors in San Francisco. Honestly, it brought a fresh perspective and a different pace to my coaching practice. There’s something exciting about working outside your usual zone—you can’t rely on familiarity, so you stay curious and present. Plus, it’s a good exercise in resisting the urge to give advice and sticking to pure coaching.

On a more personal note, having moved to Wanstead two years ago, I finally feel like I belong here. I’ve built friendships, found a sense of community, and developed an unhealthy affection for the local pub. My wife and I also introduced a monthly date night tradition, where we try a new restaurant each time. We figured, Why pay for therapy when you can pay a babysitter and enjoy good food? It worked—those nights brought a sense of adventure back into our marriage during what I like to call the five-and-under parenting marathon phase.

What didn’t go so well?
Okay, now for the not-so-fun stuff. Last year, I attempted to launch a creative retreat—something I’ve been dreaming of for a while—but it didn’t quite take off. To be honest, it was disappointing. I poured a lot of energy into planning the curriculum and crafting what I thought would be an unforgettable experience. But looking back, I see where I went wrong. I needed to focus more on selling the concept before building out all the details. Lesson learned: enthusiasm is great, but strategy wins the day. I’m not giving up on this idea, though. You’ll be hearing about a future retreat—mark my words.

Another thing I struggled with was the lack of in-person connection. Working online is convenient, but I found myself longing for the good old-fashioned human experience—you know, where people are 3D and don’t freeze mid-sentence on Zoom. I tried inviting clients for coffee or in-person sessions, but life is busy, and most people preferred the flexibility of online coaching. I didn’t push it, but I missed that face-to-face energy. It’s something I want to prioritise again—hosting live events, meeting people in the room, and reminding myself that there’s life beyond my screen.

What am I focused on this year?
With all of that in mind, my word for 2025 is community. Whether it’s continuing to deepen friendships in my neighbourhood, building connections across new industries, or creating spaces for leaders and creatives to gather, I want to lean into this theme. I’ve seen how powerful community can be in both personal and professional life, and this year, I want to build more of it—through group coaching, live events, or even a revived version of that retreat (yes, it will happen).

And who knows? Maybe by the end of 2025, I’ll be writing about how my best ideas came from conversations over coffee with people I admire, or how that creative retreat finally became a reality. Either way, I’m excited to see where this year takes me—because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the best moments often come when you’re busy building something meaningful, not chasing every opportunity.

Here’s to a year of connection, learning, and a little more adventure!