Every year, as we enter the final stretch of the calendar, I bring out a personal checklist I call my List of 20 Things. It’s a reminder to focus on small, intentional actions that add up to big results, in business, in health, and in life. These are the habits and mindsets that finish the year strong and set the tone for the next one. I thought I’d share them with you.
1. Be aware of everything you put into your body
The holidays seem to sneak up on us, and with them come the constant parade of candy dishes, cookies, and festive drinks. Be mindful. Enjoy the season, but remember that what you put in now will show up later. A little discipline each day prevents that post-holiday regret.
2. Mend a broken relationship
You already know who it is. Reach out. Make the call. Send the message. Healing that relationship will lighten your emotional load and free up energy for better things. Even if it doesn’t go perfectly, the effort alone brings peace.
3. Send a thank-you card
A handwritten note of gratitude never goes out of style. Set aside ten minutes a day to write one. It could be to a client, a friend, a family member, or even your mom. You’ll be amazed how this simple act deepens connections and lifts spirits.
4. Release others’ expectations
You can’t please everyone, and you’re not supposed to. Release the need for approval from those who judge, criticize, or misunderstand you. Live by your own values, not someone else’s yardstick.
5. Perform a random act of kindness
Hold the door. Pay for someone’s coffee. Leave an encouraging note. Kindness has a ripple effect, and you never know when your small act becomes someone else’s turning point.
6. Acknowledge your staff and friends
Your support system, both at work and in life, deserves recognition. Take the time to sincerely thank the people who make your world run smoother. Gratitude strengthens loyalty and morale.
7. Buy yourself something special
Self-care is not selfish. Treat yourself to something that makes you feel appreciated, whether it’s a massage, a round of golf, or a great meal. Reward yourself for showing up and giving your best every day.
8. Fix that thing that needs fixing
That broken latch, the light bulb, the drawer that sticks, they drain more energy than you realize. Check them off the list. Small fixes create mental clarity and restore a sense of control.
9. Drink more water
Simple. Essential. Overlooked. Hydration improves everything from focus to mood. Keep water nearby and make it your default beverage. Your body (and your future self) will thank you.
10. Have a family dinner
No phones, no TV, no distractions. Just conversation, laughter, and connection. Make it happen once a week, same table, same time. It’s one of the most powerful ways to strengthen family bonds.
11. Make the effort to remember names
When you remember someone’s name, you tell them they matter. Be intentional. Repeat the name back, make an association, and store it mentally. It’s a simple discipline that builds instant rapport and respect.
12. Leave a little earlier and be on time
Punctuality is respect. When you’re consistently late, it sends the message that your time is more valuable than someone else’s. Leave earlier, arrive calm, and set the example.
13. Make that doctor’s appointment
Stop putting it off. That annual check-up, that mole you’ve been ignoring, make the appointment. Health is wealth, and prevention beats cure every time.
14. Exercise
Move your body. It doesn’t have to be a marathon, just consistent movement. Take the stairs, walk during calls, or find a workout buddy. Energy breeds energy.
15. Schedule a seminar or workshop
Feed your mind. Attend something that inspires or educates you, financial, personal, or spiritual. Exposure to new ideas keeps you growing and grounded.
16. Do the right thing
Even when no one’s watching. Integrity compounds like interest, small honest moments build a reputation that pays dividends for life. Choose right over easy.
17. Try to be carbon neutral
Make small choices that protect our planet: recycle, reduce waste, conserve energy. The example you set influences others more than you realize.
18. Make a duplicate set of keys
It’s a small thing that saves big headaches. You’ll thank yourself the next time you’re running late or locked out.
19. Don’t overspend
Give within your means. Holidays can tempt even the disciplined among us, but debt steals future peace. Meaningful gifts don’t have to be expensive; they just have to be thoughtful.
20. Pray
Whatever your faith, take time each day to be still, to express gratitude, and to seek guidance. Prayer centers the spirit, calms the mind, and opens the heart. It’s the ultimate reset.
These 20 things aren’t resolutions — they’re reminders. The kind that keep you grounded when life gets noisy and the year moves fast. Whether you adopt one or all twenty, the goal is progress, not perfection.
The finish line for this year is in sight. Let’s make the next 90 days count — with intention, integrity, and gratitude.
Let’s finish strong.
TERRY Talks 