5 Ways to make your transition to 2025 triumphant and transformative

In the 1968 Olympic games in Mexico, John Stephen Akhwari, the former Tanzanian Marathon runner, etched his name in the history of the Olympic games by his heroic decision to finish the race. 

He never stood on a podium to be celebrated, yet he is honoured for his extraordinary spirit of finishing well. On that fateful day, Akhwari was competing in the 5,000-meter race. He had started well, and in the course of the race, while jostling for a space, he was hit. He fell and wounded his knee and dislocated a joint. 

His shoulder also hit hard against the pavement. He, however, continued running after he received treatment. He never stopped. He was the last to enter an almost empty stadium, bloodied and bandaged. He ran through the pain and finished the race.

Stephen Akhwari reminds us that we may not start the race well, or maybe we started well but fell along the way. 

However, the most important thing is that we must finish strong. When interviewed later and asked why he continued running, he said, "My country did not send me 5,000 miles to start the race; they sent me 5,000 miles to finish the race.

" Sometimes, you have to run through the pain to finish the race. Stephen Akhwari competed before and after the 1968 Olympic games and won other races, yet the world remembers him for his feat in Mexico. 

That singular act transitioned him into the Olympic Games Hall of Fame. He is celebrated and has played "special ambassador" roles for other Olympic Games.

Leaders and professionals understand the importance of persevering until the very end. It is also important that you start right. 

Hence, effective leaders put greater effort into every transition. The “Akhwari mindset” is not necessarily about coming in first or last. It is about finishing in a manner that brings dignity and glory to your effort while preparing you for the future. 

We have gone through an election year in major parts of the world, and leadership has changed hands. 

Several major democracies are in transition. Every leader is in transition as we close out 2024 and start a new year, 2025. With a week to the end of the year, I offer five ideas leaders can take to transition into 2025 triumphantly.

Five ideas leaders can take to transition into 2025 triumphantly

1. Reflect and celebrate your journey    

Most people only celebrate when they can point to significant tangible achievements. I encourage leaders to commemorate the journey irrespective of the outcome. 

Most importantly, leaders must celebrate the resilience and values they bring into their work and the effort exerted in getting work done. What does it mean to celebrate your journey? 

I am not necessarily referring to parties. Acknowledge your progress and give yourself a chance to accept it. 

“When we fail to acknowledge and celebrate small victories, we get discouraged, and the flame inside us starts to dwindle.”

What wins would you like to celebrate over the past 12 months? what process led to your achievements?

2. Rest and recuperate

The last month of the year is a busy month with many activities. There are projects at work to wrap up. There is shopping for gifts and family. 

There are parties and celebrations to attend. Sometimes, this period becomes one of the most stressful times of the year. 

There are opportunities to over-indulge and compromise our health and well-being. It is time to slow down and take good care of yourself. 

Finishing well demands that we slow down during this time of the year. You do not want to start the new year tired and out of shape. Use the time to focus on rest and recuperation.

What actions will you take to renew your energy for the new year?

3. Repair and reconnect relationships    

The end of the year provides an opportunity to repair neglected relationships. 

Connecting with significant people, colleagues at work, business partners, and acquaintances you have made over the years is a great way to strengthen these relationships and support systems in your lives and work. 

As you transition into 2025, decide to invest in the network of relationships you need to activate to achieve your goals.

Who do you need to connect with before the year ends? Who do you need to connect with in 2025?

4. Re-strategise for the future

Finishing strong also means lifting your head to see what is beyond and laying the foundations for a bright future. 

The season offers an opportunity to reflect on the lessons learnt and to plan for the year ahead. Most organisations have completed their 2025 plans and budgets. You must prepare your plan for the year ahead. 

You may not have a detailed plan for every month of 2025, but outlining your focus areas makes it easier to start the year well. What critical decisions do you have to make in 2025? What do you need to prioritise going into 2025?

What investments do you plan to make in your professional development?

5. Resolve to make peace with unfinished projects and move on

With only seven days to end the year, there may be projects you have not started, completed yet, or are not near completion. 

Make peace with what you have not been able to complete yet. How do you finish strong when you have so many projects at various stages of completion? 

You decide on what you want to focus on and complete before the year ends, and make peace with what you cannot complete. 

What lessons can you learn from the unfinished projects? What would you like to prioritise and get done before the year ends? Cleaning your closet?

…..be of good cheer!

The writer is the Founder of the CEO Accelerator Program and Chief Learning Strategist at TEMPLE Advisory. He specializes in leadership development, executive coaching and strategy consulting. 

The mission of The Leadership Project is to harvest highly effective leadership practices and share them in a manner that other leaders can easily incorporate into their leadership practice. 

If you have an idea or leadership practice to share, kindly write to programs@thelearningtemple.com. Until you read from us again, keep leading…..from leader to leader, one practice at a time.