Salt & Light Newsletter: Issue 1 December 11th 2025

The Power of Pausing to Reflect

Hi there, this is Jon & Mark from Salt & Light.

Can you believe we're almost at the end of another year?

The Christmas lights are twinkling, the festive season is here, and it feels like the right time to pause, look back, and appreciate the moments and people that made this year what it was!

In that spirit, we're launching our very first newsletter to share ideas and practices on purposeful leadership and growth. We'd love to hear what resonates with you.

Let's start with one of the most underrated yet transformative practices in leadership.

To Pause and Reflect.
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​When Was the Last Time You Truly Paused?

If you're struggling to remember, you're not alone. We're always moving from one challenge to the next, rarely pausing to reflect. Yet reflection is powerful because it helps you see where you've done well and where you need to give attention.

As Margaret J. Wheatley said, "Without reflection, we go blindly on our way, creating more unintended consequences, and failing to achieve anything useful."
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​So How Do We Do This? (and How Could You)

This exercise has been practiced by us for over 15 years, between Christmas and New Year.

We want to share it with you as a gift you might give yourself this festive season.

Here is how it works:

1.Take Time to Be Alone:

Start by carving out a day for a nice long walk, or a couple of half-days can work even better.

2.Get Prepared:

Before you begin, gather any journals, articles, notebooks, phone notes, or books you've read (and scribbled in) throughout the year.

All the fragments of insight you've captured.

3.Read and Reflect:

Next, review your materials before walking, so you can ‘take’ your insights with you. Give yourself space to reflect and identify any emerging themes. Notice what resonates, what surprises, what keeps appearing.

Don't rush.

4.Get Curious and Get Walking:

This is where the walking often begins. As you walk, notice nature around you and from time to time ask yourself big questions about 2025 like:

• "What have I learnt?"
• "What were my priorities, really?"
• "Who am I becoming?"
• "What gets in my way?"
• "What do I want?"

There's something about moving your body while your mind works through these questions. The answers come differently when you're walking.

5. Identify Priorities or Themes:

As you continue, your 2026 personal and professional priorities will start to take shape. Walking, pausing, being in nature with notes on your phone or on a pad will help with this. You may only land on big themes or insights at first, and that's okay. Trust the process.

Notice what's bubbling to the surface.

How are you feeling? What emotions are forming? What does this bring?

6.Reflective Prompts:

Then, as things become clearer, go deeper with questions like these:

• "What is emerging for 2026?"
• "What will bring me life?"
• "What will I focus on?"
• "What will bring me closer to the person I want to be?"

7.Find Your Theme:

Finally, what is your overall theme for 2026? Before you finish, ask yourself this final, powerful question:

• "When I look back at 2026, what made it the best year I have ever lived?"

Once you get home, get it down on paper and go make it happen!

P.S. If you don’t like walking you could also use downtime on a flight or train, set yourself up in a coffee shop, or find a quiet space that feels right for you.​
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Let's Continue the Conversation

If this resonates, or you're interested in exploring how reflection can transform your leadership journey, we'd love to continue the conversation. Whether for your team or your own growth, don't hesitate to reach out.

Here's to a meaningful close to this year and an intentional start to the next. Happy Christmas and Fantastic New Year!

The Salt & Light Team