Friday espresso: Crafting Requests: Thriving in a Multigenerational Workforce
Jan 16, 2026 1:01 am
Rise and Shine!
Let's brew our espresso for an insightful shot!
What I’m Carrying Into 2026 (It’s Not a To-Do List)
As a new year begins, I’ve been thinking less about goals and more about capacity. Not what we plan to do, but what we’re actually able to carry.
Some years leave us depleted. Others quietly strengthen us. Often, we don’t realise which one it was until we pause long enough to notice how we’re showing up emotionally, mentally, relationally.
2025 was a year that asked a lot of questions of me. And in answering them sometimes clumsily, sometimes courageously, I realised I wasn’t just moving forward. I was storing energy in unexpected places.
As we step into 2026, here’s what I’ve come to understand about the energy we carry with us.
WHY Energy Matters More Than Ever
🌡️ Energy sustains what ambition starts. Goals are exciting, but energy is what allows us to stay present when things get difficult. Without it, even the best plans lose momentum.
🧠 Energy reveals what truly mattered. What energised you last year like relationships, clarity, courage, tells you more about your direction than any checklist ever could.
🌱 Energy compounds quietly. Like health, trust, or confidence, energy grows through consistent, intentional choices. You don’t feel it all at once, until you need it.
WHAT Energy Am I Carrying Into 2026
🤍 Relationships. 2025 was filled with conversations, conferences, seminars, networking events, and our mq20 Anniversary Fest. Some relationships were new, others deepened. I’m grateful for all of them. I don’t yet know what sparks they’ll light in 2026, and that feels hopeful, not uncertain.
🔍 Clarity. Starting the Lead Change Heart Way and 4 Se-Ibu podcasts last year stretched me. There were many unknowns, plenty of trial and error. But in that process, clarity emerged about what matters, what works, and what no longer needs my energy. That clarity is something I’m carrying forward with intention.
🔥 Intentional Courage. One of the hardest moments in 2025 was asking for sponsorships for mq20. At first, it felt unfamiliar like asking for help instead of creating value. But courage grows when we act despite discomfort. What felt like fire last year now feels like a steady beam, lighting the direction for 2026.
HOW to Carry Your Energy Forward Intentionally
🧭 Name it. Be honest about what energised you last year. Don’t rush to add more. Start by acknowledging what already exists.
✋ Protect it. Energy drains quickly when boundaries disappear. Decide what you will not carry into the new year like habits, expectations, or commitments that no longer serve you.
🌤️ Use it wisely. Energy isn’t meant to be spent all at once. Let it guide your pace, your decisions, and the season you’re in.
As 2026 begins, I’m choosing to move forward with the energy I’ve stored. Relationships nurtured, clarity earned, and courage practiced.
So I’ll leave you with the same questions I’m sitting with:
What kind of energy did you store in 2025?
And how will it serve you in 2026?
You may already have more than you realise.
Connect with me on LinkedIn for more Leadership, Change and Heart content!
That’s the espresso, keep the momentum! ☕😌
Stay caffeinated & curious!
Koo Lily
l Founder of mq Training Coaching Consulting l
Leadership Coach l Change Facilitator l Speaker l
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