6 ways to close the year courageously and finish strong

Hello and Happy Sunday!

Sunday, 2nd November - 7-minute read

It’s the 2nd of November. I’m on day two of my ‘60 Day Close the Year Courageously Challenge’—a personal invitation to step bravely into the final stretch of 2025. I find myself facing the usual suspects of resistance: health routines put off, outreach postponed, clutter still nagging, relationships needing more attention, and the all-important quest to cement balance and firm foundations in life and business.

Sound familiar?

If you’re anything like me, you know these are exactly the areas that will lead to success if just tackled head-on. Yet, resistance quietly whispers its tempting siren call to procrastinate, distract, or dilute your focus.

Today, I want to share six practical ways to navigate this resistance and finish the year with courage, clarity, and momentum.

Grab your cuppa—this one’s for the courageous closers.

6 Ways to Close the Year Courageously and Finish Strong

1. Name the resistance so you can greet it honestly

Resistance rarely attacks in the open. It hides behind feelings of overwhelm, fear, and even ‘shoulds’ disguised as busyness.

Start by naming exactly what you resist each morning. Is it a health habit? A difficult conversation? Decluttering? Outreach?

Naming builds awareness and disarms the unconscious forces that keep you stuck. You can’t navigate what you don’t acknowledge.

2. Break your 60-day mission into bite-sized daily rituals

Big goals paralyse. Tiny, deliberate actions energise.

Choose one manageable action for each day that moves you closer to your year-end goals. Five additional minutes of outreach. Clearing a single drawer. Sending that one important email.

These micro rituals build stamina and make courage habitual, so when bigger challenges appear, you’re ready.

3. Anchor your daily actions in a visceral “why”

Why do these actions matter? Is it to restore health, improve clarity, deepen relationships, or build a thriving foundation for next year?

Write your why down and place it somewhere visible. When motivation wanes, this visceral reminder reminds you exactly what courage means personally.

4. Schedule micro-pauses for rest and reflection

Stepping up courageously isn’t relentless forcing—it’s balanced energy.

Take regular micro-pauses: a mindful breath, a short walk, a moment to journal wins and challenges.

These pockets of rest reset your nervous system, soften resistance, and strengthen your resilience.

5. Celebrate every courageous choice you make

Progress is made in moments, not milestones.

Celebrate every email sent, every healthy meal chosen, every messy corner tidied.

This positive reinforcement retrains your nervous system to associate stepping up with reward, not punishment.

6. Invite accountability and support from those who get it

Courage thrives in community.

Share your 60-day challenge with a trusted friend, colleague, or group. Arrange check-ins and celebrate progress together.

This connection keeps you honest and reminds you that courageous closing is a shared, soulful journey, not a lonely grind.

This Week’s Practice

Choose one resistance you’re facing right now and put one courageous micro-step into action daily for the next seven days.

Notice your inner dialogue. Is it collaborative or combative? Can you invite curiosity instead of judgment when resistance arises?

This Week’s Takeaway

The last 60 days of 2025 aren’t about doubling down on willpower or pushing through exhaustion.

They’re about consciously cultivating resilience through small, consistent courageous acts balanced with compassion for yourself along the way.

Resistance isn’t the enemy—it’s your guide showing where your next growth edge lives.

Step into it kindly and boldly.

Choosing Happy Podcast Update

I’m excited—the Choosing Happy Podcast is returning to 3 weekly episodes.

My podcast is thriving!
This week's episodes explore the intelligence in apparent failure:

• Monday: The Myth of The Attitude of Gratitude
• Wednesday: Real Stories - When Opportunity Knocks and You Can’t Answer
• Friday: Fail Forward – Courage to Continue

All episodes are available at www.choosinghappypodcast.com or on your favourite podcast platform/app.

Start With AI Update

Now delivering exclusive AI-powered solutions to help free up your time and simplify workflows—whether it’s automating admin, supporting training, or creating practical tools. If you’re interested in making AI work for you, watch this space: details on my new toolkit and consultancy are coming very soon.

Remember to check out the LinkedIn Newsletter for updates and details of my latest Power prompts and training.

The 5-day email course is helping transformational practitioners integrate AI into their businesses without losing their human touch.

Join us at www.startwithai.online

That's it for this week, beautiful soul.

Before closing this newsletter, ask yourself: What single action could you take in the next 60 days to make your start to 2026 smoother and a whole lot less stressful for you and others?

The coffee offer remains open, always. And the welcome is genuine.

With so much love, steady courage and warmth,

Heather

Heather V Masters
Chief Coach, Writer, Trainer and Facilitator of Magic

Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

P.S. Know a transformational practitioner who might benefit from this courageous close? Share this newsletter. Courage spreads.