Don’t Coast — Lead: How Successful People Use December Differently

James Smith, Executive Director

Most people slide into December with one goal: survive until January. The pace slows, routines slip, and the mindset becomes, “We’ll get serious after the holidays.”

But leaders think differently.

Leaders understand that how you finish determines how you start. December isn’t the throwaway month of the year — it’s the proving ground. The month where everyone else is coasting… and you get to choose something better.

This year, I’m choosing to finish with intention. Here are the four leadership practices helping me do that — and maybe they’ll help you, too.

1. December Is a Leadership Test — Don’t Drift, Decide

Most people drift their way into the holiday season. Leaders decide their way into it.

They decide how they want to finish the year. They decide who they want to be heading into the next one. They decide not to let distractions, fatigue, or busyness steer the ship.

This has been a transition year for me — moving from Mayor of Cynthiana into my new role as Chamber Executive Director. And transitions don’t go smoothly by accident. They require clarity, intention, and a lot of deep breaths when life gets overwhelming.

I’ve learned that December magnifies your leadership mindset. If you coast, you lose momentum. If you choose intention, you gain it.

As we enter these final weeks, ask yourself: Am I drifting into the holidays, or deciding how I want to finish?

2. Reflect Like a Leader — With Honesty, Not Excuses

Reflection isn’t regret. It’s not beating yourself up. It’s leadership.

Every December, I try to carve out quiet time to answer three simple questions:

• What went well this year?

• What didn’t go well?

• What did I learn?

This year, that reflection hit me hard.

On one hand, 2025 was a year of incredible wins. I crushed my goals for new member recruitment. I built new relationships. I stepped into a role I love.

But here’s the honest part: I did not do a great job carving out time for myself and my family. Too many nights, too many weekends, too many “just one more thing” moments.

And if I don’t own that… I can’t fix it.

Leaders grow when they’re honest — not when they’re comfortable.

Ask yourself: What did this year teach you — about your habits, your character, your pace, your priorities?

Not what do you wish happened. What actually happened. And what is it showing you?

3. Plan Early — Success Doesn’t Begin on January 1st

Average people wait until January to “get serious.” Leaders know January is when the plan executes — not when it begins.

The runway for 2026 is right now.

That’s why I’m scheduling more personal and family time into next year — not as an afterthought, not as a New Year’s resolution — but as a leadership decision I’m making today.

Because if I don’t prioritize it now, the calendar will fill itself…and it won’t be with the things that matter most.

Leaders ask themselves:

• What do I want more of in 2026?

• What do I need to protect?

• What has to change?

• What belongs on the calendar before the year begins?

January won’t make your life magically different.December will decide how January feels.

4. Anchor Your Final Weeks — Three Small Wins Beat One Big Push

December is a tough month for massive goals. But it’s perfect for small, strategic wins that set you up for a strong new year.

I call them “anchors.” Three wins — one in each area of your life — that give you stability heading into 2026:

One professional win Something small but meaningful:

• Catch up on communication

• Clean up your digital clutter

• Touch base with key relationships

• Wrap up one lingering task

One personal/family win Something that restores or reconnects you:

• A day off

• A family night

• A personal retreat hour

• A commitment to rest

One organizational win Something that makes your January easier:

• Updated planning

• Clarifying expectations

• Laying groundwork for a big 2026 initiative

You don’t need a December sprint. You need December anchors.

🎯 Final Thought: Don’t Coast Into 2026 — Lead Into It

Everyone else is easing up. But you don’t have to sprint — you just don’t have to disengage.

Choose reflection. Choose intention. Choose small wins that build momentum. Choose the leadership mindset that says:

“I won’t wait for January to become who I want to be.”

Your 2026 story isn’t written on New Year’s Day.It’s written in the quiet, intentional moments of December —when leaders rise while others coast.

Now the question is: How do YOU want to finish?