The quiet moments of reflection often speak the loudest. As the year winds down and planning for 2025 begins, many senior executives and business owners find themselves consumed by data, KPIs, and forecasts. Yet, amid the spreadsheets and strategy decks, an equally vital tool often remains overlooked: intuition.

Intuition is not about impulse or guesswork. It’s the transformative, instinctive wisdom that emerges when your subconscious mind pieces together patterns, experiences, and emotions—sometimes faster than your conscious thoughts can follow. Whether navigating a career crossroads or reevaluating your business offerings, tuning into this inner voice could mean the difference between pursuing a path of fulfillment or remaining stuck in inertia.

But how often do we truly listen?

When Something Feels “Off”

Imagine waking up and dreading the team meeting ahead. The thought of addressing your colleagues, tackling client deliverables, or even promoting your offerings feels heavy. On paper, everything seems fine—sales are steady, and your calendar is packed. Yet your clients aren’t purchasing the services you’re most excited about. Instead, they seem drawn to the areas you excel in but no longer feel passionate about.

It’s tempting to dismiss this as burnout or a rough patch. But what if these feelings are your higher self nudging you toward deeper awareness? What if this discomfort is an invitation to explore whether you’re truly aligned with your work and the value you want to bring to the world? Trusting your intuition in these moments can bring a sense of relief, knowing that you’re on the right path.

• Are you genuinely passionate about your work, or has it become routine?
• Are your offerings aligned with the needs and values of your ideal clients?
• Are you and your team being challenged, appreciated, and fulfilled, or merely going through the motions?

The Universe as a Mirror

Life has a curious way of presenting us with lessons through the people, challenges, and opportunities we encounter. As a business leader, you might view a stalled service or a demanding client as obstacles to overcome. But sometimes, these experiences are more than they seem—they’re mirrors reflecting your inner world.

Is the stalled project a sign that you’re pursuing something you’re not entirely invested in? Is the demanding client highlighting a need to set stronger boundaries or refine your value proposition? These aren’t just operational concerns; they’re invitations for growth.

Consider the executive who built a thriving services business yet found herself feeling unfulfilled. Despite her achievements, she realized she was working with clients who didn’t energize her or kept requesting services. She was no longer passionate about providing ones who needed her services but didn’t align with her vision. It wasn’t until she paused to reflect on what truly brought her joy and fulfillment that she could pivot her business offering toward working with clients who shared her values. The result? Renewed energy, deeper connections, and exponential growth.

Questions That Shape the Future

As you think about your goals for 2025, intuition can serve as a compass for clarity. Instead of immediately diving into tasks, ask yourself:

• What’s the “why” behind my current career path or service offering?
• Does my work feel aligned with my authentic self, or am I simply meeting external expectations?
• If fear were not a factor, what decisions would I make about my business or career?

These questions aren’t meant to overwhelm but to create space for honest introspection. Too often, we allow external pressures to dictate our direction, ignoring the signals our inner voice is sending. But intuition, when trusted, has a way of cutting through the noise and guiding us towards the changes we need to make.

Measuring What Matters

To ground intuitive insights in actionable steps, identify three key areas to evaluate and measure as you plan for the coming year. These might include:

1. Personal Fulfillment: How engaged do you feel with your work? Are your clients and projects energized, or do they drain you? Tracking moments of satisfaction—or dissatisfaction—can provide powerful clues about what needs to change.
2. Alignment with Core Values: Does your work or business reflect your values? If you believe in innovation, are your offerings evolving? If you value relationships, are you nurturing meaningful connections with clients and your team?
3. Impact and Growth: Are you making the impact you want to make? Whether it’s scaling your business, mentoring emerging leaders, or creating something entirely new, measuring your contributions to the world can guide your next steps.

Choosing a New Path

Sometimes, intuition tells us to stay and refine, to extract every lesson a situation offers. Other times, it nudges us toward change, encouraging us to venture into the unknown. Neither path is inherently right or wrong—it’s about what resonates most with your higher self.

A leader who feels underappreciated might ask: “Is this discomfort a chance to advocate for myself and grow within my role, or is it time to explore new opportunities where my skills are valued?” A business owner wondering whether to retire an offering might reflect: “Is this product evolving to meet the needs of my audience, or am I holding onto it because of past success?”

The answers to these questions often don’t come immediately, but they begin to unfold as you create space for them.

Building the Bridge to 2025

As the new year approaches, consider carving out time not just for strategic discussions but also for intentional solitude. Whether it’s a morning walk, a quiet weekend retreat, or journaling at your desk, these moments allow your inner voice to surface.

Planning for the year ahead isn’t just about numbers and goals. It’s about envisioning a future that feels both authentic and aspirational. It’s about trusting that your intuition, paired with clear-eyed analysis, can guide you toward decisions that serve both your highest self and those you lead.

So, as you look toward 2025, ask yourself:

• What is my higher self trying to tell me about where I am and where I want to go?
• How can I honor this inner wisdom in the decisions I make for my business or career?
• What will success look and feel like if I align my path with my intuition?

The answers might not come all at once. But with trust, courage, and reflection, they will come.

Do you need a sounding board? Consider having a coach by your side to help you uncover the deep emotions that may be holding you back from examining your “whys.” A coach can provide the clarity and perspective needed to navigate these moments, offering support to identify the underlying issues and co-create actionable strategies. With a trusted partner in your corner, you can brainstorm your “what’s next” and confidently take steps toward a more fulfilling path.