“If you don’t have a vision, then your reality will always be determined by other’s perceptions.”

— Melanee Addison

CHOOSE A PURPOSEFUL LIFE

As leaders, founders, and visionaries, we spend our lives creating outcomes. We build companies, lead teams, generate revenue, and solve complex problems. Yet at the beginning of a new year—especially standing at the door of 2026—it’s worth asking a deeper question:

Why does what I’m building actually matter?

Think of meaning, purpose, and intentionality as a well you draw from every single day. You likely understand the logical reasons behind your work: growth, stability, innovation, profit, and legacy. But many high-performing leaders never pause long enough to identify the deeper purpose beneath the logic—the reason that fuels endurance when the metrics stop motivating.

There is an important distinction here. Strategy explains what you do. Purpose explains why you continue when the pressure is high, the criticism is loud, and the cost feels personal.

Ask yourself honestly:
Do I know—deep in my core—that who I am and what I do truly matters?
Who does it matter to?
What is the impact beyond results?
And ultimately… Why?

Now consider this thought experiment:
If you only had one day left to live, what would you prioritize? What conversations would you initiate? What would suddenly feel insignificant? Who would you empower?

The truth is simple and confronting: Today is the only day you are guaranteed.

At the end of success, profit, and recognition, relationships remain the ultimate currency. Many leaders discover this only when life disrupts the illusion of control—through financial exposure, loss, burnout, family anxiety or personal crisis. When that happens, money, momentum, and achievement can no longer medicate relational gaps or internal emptiness.

When the spotlight turns on, the hidden holes show up.

This moment—this new year—is an invitation to choose differently. You can acknowledge the emptiness, identify its source, and rediscover your purpose. Or you can numb it with more productivity, more wins, more busyness. Self-medication looks different for high achievers, but it’s no less real.

So pause and ask:
Where am I currently drawing my purpose, joy, and fulfillment from?

Every day, you lower a bucket into a well. What comes back up?
Is your well toxic or life-giving?
Is it intoxicating or refreshing?
Is it stagnant or flowing?
Is it centered on ego—or contribution?

And once you’ve identified the well you’re drinking from, make a courageous decision. If it’s sustaining real life, drink deeply. But if it isn’t, don’t just manage it—dig a new well. Dig deeper. Dig intentionally. Now is the time.

REFLECT FIRST, THEN BLAZE INTO 2026

Looking back on 2025 —what patterns do you see? Not just in performance, but in your inner life.

• Where did you feel most aligned with your purpose?
• Where did success feel hollow?
• What did this year teach you about what truly matters?

SETTING THREE INTENTIONS FOR THE NEW YEAR

Rather than goals, set three clear intentions that align with purpose—not pressure.

1. What is one intention for your leadership that aligns who you are with how you lead?
   
2. What is one intention for your personal life or relationships that strengthens the foundation beneath your success?
   
3. What is one intention for impact—how your work will genuinely serve others this year?
   

Write them down in SMART goal fashion, Return to them weekly. Lead from them daily.

CELEBRATE THE GROWTH each week:

What is one thing I accomplished recently that I am genuinely proud of—and why does it matter?

CLARITY QUESTIONS to help!

• What is one meaningful action step I can take today?
• What excuse or fear might try to stop me—and how will I proactively address it?
• What am I learning about myself as a leader, a builder, and a human being?

As you head into 2026, remember:

You don’t need more time.
You don’t need a different season.
You need clarity, intention, and courage—today.

Be The Best You Can Be, Today!

Your Coach,

P.S. Personal Sutherland Family update - We have a new puppy, Samson, who is adorable and a toddler, exhausting if you know what I mean. Our house in Redding sold and so we are solidly in Quincy. Scott loves his new role as all things Quincy. Overseeing the bowling alley. Pastoring the Alley Church and riding around on his new skid steer and side by side. Shandel is taking off next week for Shandel Group work in Austin and Seattle. Then down to Phoenix. We just feel so blessed to be living this life where we are thriving in our gifts and talents by helping people get to their next level and enjoying life. It was a hard year of serving, but satisfying and fulfilling at the same time. We have lots of goals for 2026 with one of them being more intentional rest!! LOL We also had a great celebration of 25 years of Shandel Group! WOW!! I feel more grateful than ever for amazing clients that I keep growing with.

AND I LOVE ALL YOUR Christmas cards: PO Box 1084 Quincy, CA 95971 - add me to your list or send me your left over cards. I LOVE THEM!!! I did not send cards!!....maybe next year? LOL!!  So update your address with me.

THE SUTHERLANDS LOVE YOU. Especially grateful for those who have been reading my newsletters for the past 22 years!!!!!!

Here is to an incredible 2026!