Your Inner Dojo

The Christmas season: Finally, a moment to pause, slow down and ask yourself the big questions:

• How did my year go?
• What do I want to do differently next year?
• What do I want to focus on in the coming weeks?

Perhaps your head feels like a construction site at the moment– full of to-dos, expectations and circling thoughts. But what if you could truly wrap up this year and begin the new one with clarity and ease?

Give yourself time and space to focus

Imagine stepping into a place that belongs solely to you – an inner dojo. Your inner retreat, where everything that distracts or stresses you stays outside. As soon as you enter this space, only one thing matters: focus.

You can enter this space whenever it becomes important. For example, before a difficult conversation. In the midst of a chaotic week. Or in the evening when you’re trying to find peace. In your inner dojo, ask yourself:

• What truly matters right now?
• What can I let go of to clear my mind?

It’s about pausing and consciously deciding what takes priority – and that means:

• Most of your time during the year-end push, flows into this task.
• You say no to additional meetings or appointments.
• You start new projects only in the coming year – instead, take the time to plan your next steps.

Depth Over Hustle – Why Less Is Often More

Perhaps you know the feeling: You rush through the day, tackling a thousand little things – and at the end of the day, you’re left with the sense that nothing has really progressed. That’s when it’s time to slow down.

Take conscious time before major decisions or planning. Turn off your phone, grab paper and pen, and ask yourself questions like:

• What will truly move me forward?
• What do I need to feel less stressed and more effective?
• How should I proceed?

This deliberate reflection is not a waste of time – it is the key to reducing complexity and bringing more clarity into your life. Quickly completing tasks is of little use if we’re unclear about their purpose. Reflection helps.

The ancient philosophers called it “contemplation” – deliberate reflection that connects intuition and deep understanding.

Focus on the Essentials – One Thing at a Time

You might feel like you have to do everything at once. But multitasking is not the path to a clear mind – quite the opposite.

Instead, try the following:

👉 Important and urgent:  Do it now
👉 Not important but urgent: Delegate
👉 Important but not urgent:  Decide / Schedule time
👉 Unimportant and not urgent:  Delete

You’ll notice how much faster and better you progress when you fully concentrate on one thing at a time.

Let Go of Baggage – What Do You Really Need?

Sometimes it’s not external circumstances that stress us out, but our own thoughts:

• Doubts that paralyze us.
• The pressure to please everyone.
• Setting overly high expectations for ourselves.
• Unrealistic goals that don’t stem from concrete planning or aren’t broken down into quarterly targets and therefore hard to achieve.

Letting go means leaving these mental burdens behind. ( You can also read Relax and recharge: how do you get your energy boost?

Ask yourself:

• What can I safely ignore?
• Where are my energy and time truly well spent?
• Which expectations aren’t really mine?
• What do I want to maintain or do more of next year?
• What did I do well, and how can I repeat that success?
• What didn’t go well, and what did I learn from it?

Imagine how much lighter life becomes when you take only what truly matters with you. Everything else can be left behind.

Stay Committed – Even When It Gets Hard

Sometimes we reach moments where we feel like giving up. Maybe because a task seems too big. Or because doubts creep in.

In such moments, remember: Success doesn’t happen overnight. It arises because you stay committed – step by step. That doesn’t mean it’s always easy. But it does mean you are in control. Stay steadfast, especially when things get tough. In the end, it’s your path to shape.

Ask yourself:

• What is the first step I can take right now to get a little closer to my big goal?
• What do I need to adjust in my approach to make progress?
• What changes are necessary?

These questions drive you forward instead of demotivating you.

Stay Active – Mind and Body Shouldn’t Be Neglected

The end of the year is often a time when good habits fall by the wayside. But don’t wait until January to get back on track!

• Start small, stay consistent: You don’t need a gym to stay active. Walks, short movement sessions of 5–10 minutes, or taking the stairs can already make a difference.
• Aim for 150 minutes of moderate activity per week (that’s 30 minutes a day, five days a week). Even this can positively impact your health.
• Fun is essential: Don’t like jogging? Skip it! Find something you enjoy – for me, it’s Taekwondo, Kimodoo (Korean Tai Chi) or simply walking.

The best exercise is the one you enjoy.

Conclusion

Start your new year with clarity and focus, and reduce stress through good planning.

Begin now:

• Write down what you want to let go of.
• Note three (realistic) goals you want to focus on in the new year

Hold onto these, even when things get chaotic. And remember: The key to a clear mind and a fulfilled life lies in small, conscious decisions – every single day.

Are you struggling to move forward on your own? We’re happy to support you with a targeted coaching session. Contact us now for a non-binding initial consultation.