The end of the year tempts us to sprint. One more deal. One more goal. One more late-night email before the clock resets. It’s easy to get caught in the rush of chasing outcomes, measuring progress by what’s left undone, and pushing ourselves to finish strong.
But what if, instead of racing forward, we paused?
What if we turned around, like a hiker on a snowy mountain trail, and looked back at the path we’ve already climbed? The steep terrain we’ve navigated. The obstacles we’ve overcome. The quiet resilience that carried us through.
Last month, a friend of mine set out on a hike through the rugged mountains of Montana. She described it as the most challenging trek she’s ever faced with steep terrain, a foot of snow blanketing the path, and biting cold that made every step harder than the last.
At one point, overwhelmed and exhausted, she stopped. The summit still seemed impossibly far. She was breathless, freezing, and ready to turn back.
But her husband gently encouraged her to pause. Not to look ahead, but to look behind. As she turned, she saw the steep incline they had already conquered, the rocky, snow-covered trail they had navigated, and the countless steps that had brought them this far.
Then she looked forward again. The summit was closer than she thought.
What once felt impossible now seemed within reach. Together they finished the hike. The feeling of accomplishment was exhilarating.
That moment is leadership at its most powerful. When clarity replaces uncertainty, and perspective turns pressure into progress.
As you close this year, take a moment to look back—like standing on the trail and seeing the path you’ve already climbed. Ask yourself:
- What did we overcome that once felt insurmountable?
- Where did we find strength not in certainty, but in perseverance?
- What do we hope next year’s summit will reveal about who we’re becoming?
Reflection is not indulgent. It is an investment in direction.
At MasterThink, we call this the Summit View. It’s a deliberate pause between accomplishment and ambition. It’s the vantage point that transforms activity into progress and reminds us that the summit is closer than we think.
When you stop to look back, you climb smarter next time.
Download our free Year-End Reflection and 2026 Planning Guide.
Use it to evaluate what worked, what needs to change, and where you want to lead next.
