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Hey Reader -

Are you looking at your calendar with the best of intentions? Do you envision a neat, cozy finish to projects, full of insights, post-mortem documentation, and good feelings all around?

It's a nice dream, but let's be honest. Most of the time, the end-of-year reality is much closer to the airport mad dash in "Home Alone"! 😁

That's why some things will need to hit the "We do not care" bin. Have you seen the Shorts on social media, where a woman addresses everything from too much laundry to thermostat battles? (For negotiators, a similar club has sprung up on LinkedIn.)

The "We Do Not Care Club" is a reminder: You can aspire to perfection, but being overly fussy will just make you (and everyone else) miserable.

Join the We Do Not Care Club

The "We Do Not Care" clubs reminded me of a colleague who had a tough end to a promising job. Nadia got caught in a power struggle after her team was unfairly blamed for slipped deadlines. Suddenly, she was out.

When a mutual friend caught up with her 6 months later, he was full of scalding hot tea. (No surprise, the problems only got worse after Nadia was let go.)

But the punch line was that Nadia was unbothered. She had redirected her energy to a new consulting business, and business was booming. She listened politely but changed the subject by replying, "It's amazing to me how little I care about anything you're saying."

When I heard about that conversation, I had an a-ha moment. Keeping anger, resentment, and grudges alive takes mental attention, emotional investment, and a physical toll. So, use your favorite people skills to elegantly cut the cord.

Solve People Problems with People Skills

In the November series, Pass the Masterclass, we've talked about how to turn common mistakes into empowering wisdom. There is no getting around hard times, but they're only wasted if you fail to learn from them.

Now, take a minute to reflect on the "didn't see that coming" moments you had this year. Each of them holds a Wicked-style "For Good" moment worth taking with you. Skills like clarity, creating structure, and managing what you can control aren't only for your benefit—they also translate into a marketable How. So, give yourself credit and turn around supposed failures into accomplishments.

For instance:

· The person who breadcrumbed information? You passed the masterclass on problem-solving during ambiguous, fast-moving situations.

· The project that didn't go to plan? You passed the masterclass on creativity and collaboration, where you partnered to push through.

· The endlessly cranky co-worker? You passed the resilience and integrity masterclass, getting things done in spite of them!

· And all those ho-hum presentations? You've passed the masterclass of understanding the value of storytelling, preparation, and designing targeted communications for your audience.

So, what's in your junk drawer? Here are three ways + an AI prompt to tidy up what's stealing your attention.

End spinning over the past or ruminating about the future. Take charge of this year like the creative, wise CEO of your life—a Soul Boss—and put things in place. That's how you prepare yourself to welcome in what is new, fun, juicy, and meaningful.

All the best,

Michelle Mains

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