You Burn Bright Newsletter

I remember this time of year - I’d be just about feeling back on track after all the May bank holidays and then me or the team or multiple senior leaders have booked holiday and it feels like there’s no one but me to do the work!

But before you slide into “OOO” mode or just keep grinding while others disappear—take a moment to look back.

Not at what’s still on your to-do list… But at what you’ve already done.

What Do You Deserve Credit For?

Make this personal.

Ask yourself:

• What am I proud of from the past 6 months?

• When did I step outside my comfort zone?

• What challenge did I face… and handle better than expected?

• What did you handle this year that would have floored you twelve months ago?

• What habit, mindset, or moment made me feel more me?

Write it down. Say it out loud. Celebrate it. Do it with your team.

It doesn’t need to be a promotion or big deliverable —maybe you spoke up in a room of senior people, learned something new, or supported a teammate. That counts. That matters.

*My personal highlight* Setting firmer boundaries around how and when I work. Even though I am only answerable to myself now, old habits die hard and learning that it’s not how much I work, but how I effectively I work, has been a bit of a process!!! (and is still very much WIP).

Giving yourself credit isn’t self-indulgent — it’s fuel

When you skip over your own progress, it creates a low-level restlessness — a sense that you’re always behind, never quite enough. I can’t tell you how much I used to feel this way, especially when new into leadership responsibilities when I felt that pull towards what Brene Brown calls the 4Ps - ‘prove’ ‘perform’ ‘please’ and ‘perfect.’

Taking a moment to pause and acknowledge how far you’ve come will help you regain perspective. And right now, as you juggle extra responsibilities or prepare to unplug for a break, this grounding is exactly what you need.

3 Ideas for Acknowledging your Progress

1. Create an “Impact” list: Take 10 minutes to write down all the things you deserve credit for this year - big & small.

2. Supersize It: Share your list with your team and encourage them to create and share their own. It’s a rare, but wonderful thing to see the ripple effects of your leadership.

3. Plan Your Summer: Whether you’re covering for others or taking time off, be intentional about how you transition. Even one hour of focused reflection before switching gears can help you reset with clarity and confidence.

Have you got the full picture?

Giving yourself credit isn’t about exaggeration, it’s about owning the full story.

Celebrate progress. Honour the effort. And don’t forget: You’re allowed to feel proud—even if the year hasn’t been perfect.

If you’d like more support to lead with calm and clarity this summer, download my free planner - only available for subscribers.

Ready to Lead?

The next wave of my Group Leadership Programme kicks off end of September. Back with renewed energy, it’s the perfect time of year to invest in your growth and effectively transition from doing & delivery to leading & having impact.

There’s £150 OFF for signing up by July 4th, so get in touch now for more information or to book your spot: [email protected].

Thank you for reading

If you want to share what you’re proud of, I’d love to hear. And if you enjoy my newsletter, please invite friends, colleagues and your team to subscribe.

Here’s to a calmer, more confident summer

You Burn Bright, Zoe