The holiday season is upon us. When you are sitting on the plane, lying on the beach, or just relaxing with a cool drink, this is a good time to reflect and contemplate the world, your business and your life – the big-picture stuff!

Yes – please first give yourself some time and space to enjoy the freedom, destress, spend quality time with family and friends, explore the sights, experience new cultures and read a novel.

When you are in a good place – relaxed, and with some new insights and experiences – this is a good time to think creatively.

Here are four practical self-coaching questions for senior leaders:

1. What have I achieved over the last year?
   It is easy to lose sight of the progress we make and our achievements as we rush from one challenge to the next in our day-to-day work. Remember to enjoy and celebrate your successes.
2. What leadership challenges have I faced in the past year, and what have I learned from them? 
   Consider both your successes and setbacks to gain valuable lessons that can inform your future actions.
3. What is my vision for my business, my team and myself at work?
   What would you like to achieve, what difference do you want to make in the coming months and year(s). Use your creative brain – think big and bold. Don’t worry about the practicalities – these can wait until you return.
4. What do I want to do for myself?
   Look at your whole self. Reflect on your work life and career, and your home life, social circles, friendships, community, health, hobbies and finances. What gives you meaning and joy? How well do you consider and take care of all the things that makes you happy and brings you wellbeing? What changes would you like to make? How do you want to develop and grow over the coming year(s)?

Encouraging thoughtful reflection on these questions can lead to meaningful insights, helping you return from your vacation with renewed purpose and clarity in your leadership journey and personal life.

And one last tip: Record your best thoughts before you return home so you don’t forget all your great intentions. Write them in a note on your phone, make a voice recording or even better write them on a postcard to yourself.

Have a great holiday.