Every December, I start noticing the unfinished corners of the year. The habits that slipped. The goals that shifted. The conversations I meant to have. It is easy to rush toward January with a sense of pressure, almost like the new year can wash away whatever feels incomplete.
But I realized something this week. Integrity is not about perfection. It is about how you show up when the year gets honest with you. When the noise settles and what is left is the truth of who you were, who you are becoming, and what still matters.
That realization brought a kind of peace. Because the end of the year is not a test. It is an invitation.
The Power of Steady Presence
Integrity is the quiet alignment between your values and your behavior. It shows up strongest at the end of the year when the temptation is to sprint, hide, or simply coast. December has a way of exposing the gap between what we meant to do and what we actually did. That gap is not a source of shame. It is information. And information is powerful.
Closing the year with integrity means you acknowledge the truth of your year without defending it or running from it. You let yourself see the efforts that worked, the intentions that drifted, and the choices that shaped you. Integrity gives you permission to evaluate the year with compassion instead of critique. It also invites you to make choices that honor your values in the days you have left.
When you practice integrity in December, you reclaim authorship over your story. You stop living in reaction to the year and start making deliberate decisions that set you up for the next one. You stop chasing a perfect ending and focus on an honest one. And the honest ending is what creates momentum, clarity, and confidence when January arrives.
This Week's Bold Question:
"What would it look like to end this year in a way that feels honest, grounded, and aligned with your values?"
Give yourself a moment to sit with that question instead of rushing past it. Integrity grows when you slow down enough to hear what matters. Maybe it is a value you want to honor. Maybe it is a relationship that needs attention. Maybe it is a promise you made to yourself that still deserves care. Whatever rises to the surface is worth noticing. It can guide how you move through these final days and help you close the year with intention instead of pressure.
Three High-Performance Shifts
These shifts are not about doing more. They are about choosing actions that reflect who you want to be at the end of the year. Small, intentional steps can recalibrate your direction and bring your values back to the center of your decisions. Use these as anchors, not assignments.
- Identify one area where you can show up cleanly.
Think about a commitment you made that still matters to you. It might be a habit you drifted from or a conversation you have avoided. Choose one place where showing up with honesty and follow-through would feel meaningful. This restores trust in yourself and builds quiet momentum. - Close a loop you have been avoiding.
There is usually one task or lingering responsibility that keeps tapping your shoulder. Instead of carrying it into the new year, resolve it now. Closing even a small loop reduces mental clutter and creates space for clarity. It also reinforces that you are someone who finishes what aligns with your values. - Choose the value you want guiding the rest of the month.
Pick a single value that you want shaping your choices. Maybe it is patience. Maybe it is courage. Maybe it is presence. When you let one value lead, your decisions feel cleaner and the month becomes less reactive. You move with intention instead of urgency.
Amplifying the Lesson
Ending the year with integrity is not about reaching a perfect finish line. It is about choosing alignment in the moments that are still in front of you. When you take one honest step, close one meaningful loop, or let a single value lead your decisions, you create a sense of steadiness that carries into every part of your life. Integrity gives you permission to release the pressure of catching up and focus instead on showing up. The year does not define you. The way you finish it reveals your growth, your clarity, and your commitment to yourself.
Closing Thought
You still have room to finish this year in a way that feels honest and strong.
Let these days reflect the clarity you have gained, the values you stand on, and the person you are becoming.
You deserve a clean, steady ending that feels like yours. and your presence.
And as always, I love you much!
Your Coach,
DrEG3
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If this message brought something forward for you, share it with someone who is working to finish this year with clarity and strength.
And if you’re looking for something to keep you lifted this week, go ahead and tap into the latest episode of The Emanuel | DrEG3 Podcast.
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