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Elaine Benfield

Reflecting on 2024: 24 Lessons Shaping My 2025

✨ Here is what I learned in 2024 ✨

As we enter a new year full of potential and possibilities, here are the lessons, goals, and reflections I learned in 2024 and am carrying forward into 2025. I hope they inspire you as much as they’ve inspired me. 💡

1.     Cherish family, friends, and colleagues who have become friends — lean on them in good times and bad.

2.     Spend quality time with your kids.

3.     Avoid complacency.

4.     Embrace change; it’s where growth begins.

5.     Take a moment for “rewirement”. Resetting yourself is not just about retirement.

6.     Check off a bucket list trip (or two). This year, I hiked Joshua Tree & went to Palm Springs & saw U2 at the Sphere in Vegas.

7.     Change your scenery — move homes/locations if the timing is right.

8.     New beginnings = new adventures.

9.     Focus on authentic connections, not just networking.

10.  Attend inspiring events. This year, I attended TedNext, another bucket list for me. And I got to meet my absolute hero, Lynda Carter! I even led a roundtable discussion. I will be attending more Ted events in 2025.

11.  Appreciate silence; it’s a gift.

12.  Reconnect with old colleagues.

13.  Declutter your life — go through the old and make space for the new.

14.  Give things away — furniture, clothing, whatever you can to help someone else.

15.  Get involved in a charity that speaks to your heart. I started working with Hopbe.org and look forward to helping them more in 2025.

16.  Explore a hobby — mine is home design & decorating.

17.  Rediscover yourself.

18.  Prioritize physical health; it’s foundational.

19.  Take a moment to get settled in your environment.

20.  Relax and calm your mind.

21.  Find a new direction, and don’t be afraid to follow it.

22.  Don’t doubt yourself — reorgs and career shifts are part of the journey. Remember, only a few people have the power to define your career. Don’t let them define you.

23.  If you are unfortunately asked to leave a company for reorganization or restructuring, remember it’s not you. It can be the best thing that ever happened to you. (I am a true testament to that.)

24.  Realize your self-worth — it’s immense. As I reflect, I know I’m at the top of my game and ready for whatever’s next. And I will be contacting some of you to help me find my next career adventure!

Here’s to making 2025 your year of growth, resilience, and self-discovery! What’s on your list for the new year? Let’s inspire each other. 🌟


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