January is a tough re-entry month for a lot of people, but it doesn’t have to be if you’re doing work that fits your Zone of Leadership.
When Vacation Ends and “Real Life” Hits
Over the holidays, a friend shared a familiar story: After a wonderful winter vacation with her family, it took less than five minutes back at the office for her stress level to shoot right back to where it was before she left. Nothing had really changed—same issues, same pressure—just with less rest in the tank.
My experience was very different. After our own holiday break, I went straight into facilitating two back‑to‑back, two‑day strategic planning offsites as part of our Business Operating System (BOS) work. Instead of feeling like “back to the grind,” it felt like an extension of the break—doing work I love, with teams that were fully engaged, collaborating on their future. That’s the power of spending more of your time in what I call your Zone of Leadership—the overlap between what you’re good at and what you’re passionate about.
If you’d like a quick refresher on this idea, you can read more here: Get Into YOUR Leadership Zone.
Why a Professional Facilitator Changes the Game
Both client teams I worked with in early January said essentially the same thing: Having a professional facilitator in the room made a significant difference in how quickly they got to high‑quality ideas and a clear plan. A good facilitator:
- Keeps the discussion focused so time isn’t lost circling the same topics.
- Draws out quieter voices and manages stronger ones, so everyone is heard.
- Pushes for clarity—turning fuzzy wishes into real decisions and commitments.
The result: better thinking in less time, and a plan people actually believe in and own.
Long-Term Vision + the First 90 Days
In both offsites, we followed a pattern I recommend to most leadership teams:
- First, step back and look at the long term direction: 3–5 years out.
- Then, narrow in on what must happen in 2026 to move meaningfully toward that future.
- Finally, commit to a focused 90 day plan for Q1—the key initiatives, owners, and success measures between now and the end of March.
A full year plan can feel overwhelming or abstract. A 90 day plan forces you to pick what matters most right now and get moving.
Making 2026 Your Best Year (Starting Indoors in January / February)
Winter in New England is cold, and people are inside more than usual. That can be a drag—or it can be an opportunity. This is a great time to:
- Carve out time away from daily operations for strategic thinking.
- Identify the 3–7 “big rocks” that will define a successful Q1.
- Look honestly at your own calendar and ask: How much of my time is in my Zone of Leadership, and how much is spent on work that drains me (and could be delegated or redesigned)?
Leaders who consciously move more of their time into their Zone of Leadership tend to bring more energy, creativity, and steadiness to their teams—and they’re less likely to feel that post vacation whiplash every time they come back from a break.
January/February Challenge
I invite you to do two things:
1. Schedule at least a half day with your leadership team to clarify your long term direction and lock in a 90 day plan for Q1.
2. Make two lists for yourself: what you’re really good at, and what you genuinely enjoy. Circle the overlap—that’s your Zone of Leadership. Then, choose one task you’ll delegate or redesign so you spend more time there.
Want Help Getting There?
If you’d like support designing or facilitating a strategy session—or you’re ready to realign your own role so you can spend more time in your Zone of Leadership—I’d be glad to talk about what that could look like for you and your team.
To your focus, energy, and a strong start to 2026.
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