Saskia de Winter, co-founder of Saskia de Winter Training, emphasizes that successful leaders don’t close the year rushing; they do so by thinking. She highlights that taking a pause and disconnecting is also an executive decision.
The Chaotic End of Year for Leaders
The end of the year is typically a hectic period for leaders. The pressure to resolve pending matters before vacations leads many executives to continue sending emails from the beach or addressing work-related issues during family meals. The result is incomplete rest and mental overload that carries over to the next cycle.
Importance of Conscious Pause and Mental Health Protection
In this scenario, it’s crucial to make a conscious pause and protect mental health. It’s not just about stopping operations for a few days, but creating real pauses to reflect and make better decisions.
Superficial Thinking: The Risk of Automatic Decision-Making
According to Harvard Business Review, CEOs allocate only 28% of their time to reflection and rest. Most of this time is divided into blocks of less than an hour. In practice, this means that the majority of leaders think in a fragmented and superficial manner.
When there’s no depth, decisions become reactive. “Quality thinking time doesn’t occur between notifications or under operational pressure,” explains Saskia de Winter. “Great leaders take time to reflect outside the noise, social media, and overwhelming workload. They know that’s where ideas making a difference are cultivated.”
Disconnect to Regain Perspective
Disconnecting has become a luxury, as we can continue working from anywhere with our phones. Therefore, leaders who successfully disconnect regain the ability to connect disparate points and detect patterns hidden in daily routines.
The daily noise distorts priorities. “Everything seems urgent, but very little is important. True decisions only emerge during pauses. It’s in the pause where strategic decisions—those defining the business direction beyond daily operations—appear.
Take Time to Make Better Decisions
De Winter explains that the best decisions for the following year won’t arrive in a text message; they’ll come when the “brain has permission to process without interruptions.” Therefore, it’s essential for leaders to take a breath and prioritize their physical and mental well-being.
December as an Opportunity for Analysis
December presents an opportunity for analysis: evaluating which decisions worked, which didn’t, and what adjustments will be necessary for the upcoming year.
Three Actions to End the Year with Clarity
Given this scenario, De Winter recommends three concrete actions to end the year purposefully and start the next with clarity.
- Block reflection time as if it were an important meeting. If it’s not on the agenda, it won’t happen. Reserve at least two consecutive hours of complete disconnection to allow the brain to enter strategic mode.
- Digitally disconnect for at least 24 hours. No emails, no social media, no multitasking. Only then can the brain reorganize information, integrate learnings, and see the big picture.
- Write, don’t just think. Note ideas, learnings, and pending decisions. This transforms scattered thoughts into concrete plans. Writing is a form of reflective action.
Diciembre: Any Break or the Starting Point of a New Vision
December can be any break or the starting point of a new vision, depending on how it’s used. Leaders who successfully disconnect from immediate matters and regain perspective don’t just return rested; they return with direction.
