Pause For Thought
As we progress towards the end of 2025, despite the rushing around and the invitations to festive gatherings, now is a great time to reflect, review and refresh.
How did your 2025 go?
What would you claim as successful? What was less successful? Most importantly, what did you learn from these experiences and how will you take these lessons forward to an even better 2026?
There’s no denying change is once again upon us. The pace of change does seem to be increasing as is the pace of innovation. Change is something that we humans are well equipped to deal with, but unfortunately, we are less willing to embrace. We like our creature comforts, and we work to become comfortable. Fear accompanies change and is one of the major components of resistance.
Fear can be inspirational but often debilitating as we are pre-programmed to consider all that can go wrong as opposed to what might go right. This negativity bias in its entirety is not all bad. Just imagine what might happen if we had ultimate optimism about everything and everyone. On second thoughts probably not a good idea to think too much about this. We need to be realistic and rational, aligning our behaviours to what we desire whilst accommodating changes along the way.
This month’s newsletter focuses on the opportunities to change harmful habits such as the addiction to being busy and avoiding recovery. It also looks at how we view change as threatening with a loaded negativity bias and the opportunity to consider the full picture and take a more rational approach. Remember what changes you have navigated in the past year, let alone the years before this one. You made it through and in some of these you probably capitalised. On a personal note, during Covid, we were challenged to flip from complete face to face delivery to remote delivery. The flip was fairly painless and now we have gained more of an international client base as a result.
It is fair to say that we do need clarification of many new and emerging challenges such as ‘Mental Health’ and the economy of tariffs, but with this exploration comes the increased confidence and competence to manage and lead through anything.
Be aware of the drive for convenience as this cannot always be met with a suitable solution and in fact it can (and often does) drive adverse behaviours and diminished responsibility. There is not a hack for everything in life and the law of the harvest still applies to many episodes in our lives and they will still be fit for purpose in 2026.
May I take this opportunity to wish you a very Happy Christmas and may 2026 bring you everything you deserve.
News
LearnUpon’s inaugural 2025 State of Learning and Development Report reveals a profession undergoing major transformation as Learning and Development (L&D) teams navigate rapid AI disruption, shifting strategic expectations, and a heightened focus on employee well-being. Drawing on insights from 600 L&D leaders across the UK, US, Australia, and New Zealand, the report shows that AI is both a catalyst for innovation and a source of anxiety; 43% of leaders believe AI could fully replace their roles, while 40% expect significant changes. Yet AI is only part of the picture. Employee mental health and well-being emerged as the most influential factor shaping L&D programmes for 2025, followed closely by AI-powered learning and microlearning as organisations prioritise more flexible, personalised learning experiences.
Despite economic pressures, learning and development budgets are rising globally, signalling growing recognition that it is a strategic business driver rather than a support function. Leaders report strong confidence in measuring programme impact and are increasingly focused on deeper, business-aligned outcomes such as skill development and knowledge retention. Critical future capabilities include data analytics, AI literacy, change management, and learning technology expertise. However, challenges remain; talent retention, rapid technological change, and proving ROI persist as key obstacles. Overall, the report positions L&D as central to shaping workforce performance, stability, and long-term organisational resilience.
To read the article in full, visit: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250916891167/en/LearnUpon-2025-State-of-Learning-and-Development-Report-AI-and-Employee-Well-Being-Drive-Strategic-LD-Transformation?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Insights
As we head into the Christmas period, I thought this research from Breathe provides a timely reminder of just how important real rest has become. According to their report, only 35% of UK workers use all their holiday days, and many say they’re simply too busy or understaffed to step away. It’s no surprise, then, that 81% report rising burnout, exhaustion, or poor mental health when they can’t switch off. Even when people do book time off, 57% end up working during their leave, and just 37% feel their organisation genuinely encourages them to disconnect. This lack of meaningful downtime is affecting people across roles and income levels, with the lowest-paid workers feeling the least supported to take time away.
Christmas offers a natural pause point, and perhaps a much-needed permission, to break this cycle. Whether you’re someone who regularly leaves days unused, part of the Gen Z cohort who are the most likely to work on holiday (74% say they do), or simply someone who struggles to switch off, now is the moment to prioritise your well-being. Rest isn’t just a “nice to have” it’s essential for reducing anxiety, restoring energy, and maintaining long-term performance. As the year winds down, consider giving yourself the gift of a genuine break: close the laptop, silence the notifications, and take time to recharge. Your future self, and your work in the new year, will thank you.
To read the article in full visit: https://www.breathehr.com/en-gb/resources/holiday-burnout-report-2024?utm_source=chatgpt.com