Written by Kristin Harrington
It’s my birthday, and one of my husband’s favorite questions during any birthday celebration is, “What is something you know now that you didn’t know a year ago?” I love this question, regardless of age, because it prompts reflection on the lessons learned over the past year.
I’ve had the great fortune to learn many lessons, both personally and professionally. There’s something about coaching others toward becoming the best versions of themselves that allows you to grow alongside them. It’s not uncommon to listen to clients talk about their challenges and realize those are the same challenges you’re facing in your own life. Sometimes, they offer insights into your journey without even knowing it.
So, in celebration of another trip around the sun, I thought I’d share some of my biggest takeaways from the past year with all of you. Since Lead Star has always felt more like family to me than anything else, let’s call it a birthday reflection with thousands of my favorite Lead Starians. Here’s what I’ve got for year 38:
Motion doesn’t always equal progress. This lesson has felt more like a punch to the jaw than anything else. According to Gallup’s Clifton Strengths Finder, “Activator” is my top strength, which means I’m often getting things going—and boy, do I ever. I’ve always been proud of my ability to move when others seem stuck. It felt like a superpower. So, imagine my surprise when I realized this strength might be holding me back. Movement, it turns out, can be deceptive. It can trick you into believing you’re making progress when you’re just moving for the sake of movement. Sometimes, you’re running in place. Other times, you might even be moving backward. My lesson for this year? Slow down. Run the right race. Don’t move to move—move with intention. The movement itself isn’t the superpower; intentional movement is.
Be curious. Before this year, I had never realized how often I had made situations about myself. Instead of asking others questions to learn more about them, I’d jump in with a story about me. Sure, it often got a laugh or a smile, but wow, was I missing the point. I’ve spent nearly four decades focused on my own stories and missed out on learning from the amazing people around me. This year, I learned the power of curiosity—genuinely being interested in others. I learned to ask better questions. I learned to hold off on sharing. Am I perfect at it yet? Nope. But I’m working on it, and being more curious has already been a game-changer. I’m forging more robust connections and learning every day. Curiosity is powerful.
The present is powerful. I’ve spent much of my life living in the past or the future, rarely in the present. My mind was always elsewhere, either reflecting on what had already happened or contemplating what was coming. In the process, I missed the smallest moments and the biggest celebrations. This year, I focused on practicing presence. I learned techniques to ground myself and battled the emotions that made it hard to be genuinely present. And in doing so, I gave myself the gift of being here. It’s a better gift than I ever could have imagined.
In reading my reflections, I hope you’ll find a few takeaways to make your next year—and your next birthday—even better. After all, life’s greatest lessons aren’t just about what we accomplish but how we grow along the way. So, here’s to the next trip around the sun, filled with more intentional movement, curiosity, and presence. Thanks for coming to my birthday party.
