As we step into a new year, the urge to reflect on the past is natural. We look back on the wins and losses, the joys and challenges, and we carry those lessons forward. But what if, instead of looking back, we chose to write forward?
What if we began the year by creating a love letter, not to who we were, but to who we are becoming? Or want to become.
For leaders, the start of a year is more than just a date on the calendar. It is an opportunity to shape the direction of their lives, their teams, or their organisations.
And it begins with hope, curiosity, and a willingness to imagine what could be.
Why write to the future?
The future is not something to fear or worry about. It is a space to plant your best intentions, a canvas for your aspirations. Writing a love letter to the future, whether to yourself, your team, or even your organisation, is a way to articulate your hopes and dreams while grounding them in your values.
This is your chance to gently declare what matters most, to remind your future self how deeply you care about the path you are on, and to set intentions rooted in hope, love, and purpose.
What goes into a love letter to the future?
Writing this kind of letter might feel unfamiliar, but it is simpler than you think. It is about speaking to the future with clarity, kindness, and intention. Here is how to begin:
1. Who are you writing to?
Decide who the letter is for. Is it a letter to yourself at the end of 2025? To your team as they navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead? To your organisation as it evolves?
- Example: “Dear Future Me,”
- Example: “To the Amazing Team of 2025,”
2. What do you hope they will know, feel, or achieve?
Share your hopes for the person, team, or organisation you are writing to. Focus on how they will grow, the values they will embody, and the achievements they will celebrate.
- Example: “I hope you feel confident in your choices, knowing they were rooted in courage and compassion.”
- Example: “I hope we create a culture of curiosity where innovation and connection thrive.”
3. How will you support them?
This is the action part of your letter. Commit to the steps you will take to bring these hopes to life. How will you show up for yourself, your team, or your organisation?
- Example: “I will prioritise listening before leading, ensuring that every voice feels heard.”
- Example: “I will invest in learning and encourage others to do the same so we grow together.”
A framework to write your letter
Here is a simple structure to guide your writing:
- Opening: Begin with a warm and hopeful greeting.
- Example: “Dear Future Me, I hope this finds you thriving and fulfilled.”
- Vision: Paint a picture of what you hope the future looks like.
- Example: “By now, you have embraced the opportunities that came your way with curiosity and determination.”
- Values: Highlight the values you will carry forward and the ones you want to nurture (if you want to uncover your values, please see here).
- Example: “You stayed true to compassion and creativity, even in the face of uncertainty.”
- Commitments: What promises will you make to yourself or those you care about, to nurture the growth and connection you envision?
- Example: “You have set aside time each week to reflect, recalibrate, and celebrate the small wins.”
- Closing: End with encouragement and love.
- Example: “You are capable of more than you imagine. Keep going. With love, Me.”
Some of you may prefer to write this letter as if you are already living it, using present-tense language to envision your future self, team, or organisation. If that resonates, feel free to adjust your tone to what feels most natural for you. The point is to make it your own.
Leading into 2025 with intention
As you write, let curiosity and hope guide you. Do not worry about getting it “right.” The beauty of this exercise is that it is deeply personal and aspirational. No one even gets to read it except for you if that is what you want. So go to town on it. Make it yours.
For leaders, this is a chance to model what it means to lead with vision and heart. Share this practice with your team if you wish. Encourage them to write their own letters.
Imagine the collective impact of a group of people united by a shared sense of hope and purpose.
What will you write forward?
The future is not a blank slate: it is an invitation. An invitation to lead, create, and grow with intention.
This year, take a moment to write a love letter to the future. Speak to the person you aspire to become, how you will nurture your well-being, the values you want to live by, and the growth you hope to achieve.
Then, extend that vision to your leadership: who you want to be for your team, the culture you hope to create, and the goals you aim to achieve together. Because the best way to approach the future is not with fear, but with hope and love.
As you write your letter, let it be a gesture of kindness to your future self, your team, or your organisation. Fill it with the love, hope, and belief you have in the future, and let 2025 unfold with purpose and possibility
And as always, if you invest in yourself, the rewards will be unfathomable.
Until next time.
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