One of my favorite year-end traditions is to take some time to reflect on the significant events of the past year. I also like to look ahead to things I’m excited about in the coming year.

This kind of reflection has long been a tradition for Margie and me. Every year around the holidays, we write to friends to share what’s been happening in our lives and to send our warmest wishes. We’ve been doing this since shortly after we got married in 1962—the year Margie graduated from Cornell. Six decades! That’s a lot of letters, a lot of memories, and a lot of joy and learning over the years.

One of the highlights of 2025 has been the publication of Catch People Doing Things Right, written by my longtime editor and writing partner, Martha Lawrence. I have to admit, it’s a bit weird to have a biography written about you while you’re still alive. When I read the first draft, my honest reaction was, “I’d like to meet this guy!”

Joking aside, I’m grateful for the care Martha brought to telling my story. I’m also proud of her because the book received the 2025 Best Book Award for Biography. My heartfelt thanks go out to everyone who has read the book, shared it, and reached out with congratulations. I’m glad that so many of you have found value in the lessons I’ve learned along my life journey.

Like many years before it, 2025 hasn’t been without its challenges. Economic uncertainty has made things harder for individuals, families, and organizations alike. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that we have faced times like these before. Each time, we’ve come through with sharper skills, deeper resilience, and new perspectives that helped us lead—and live—with more purpose and wisdom.

Looking ahead, I’m excited about the upcoming release of a new, expanded edition of The Secret: What Great Leaders Know and Do, which I wrote with Mark Miller. The book has now sold more than 700,000 copies and has been translated into more than 30 languages. I think the book’s popularity is because it teaches how to “become the kind of leader people clamor to work with,” as one reviewer said. It’s a reminder that leadership, at its best, is about serving others.

As I reflect on the past year and think about what lies ahead, I’m reminded of something I try to practice every day: staying in the present moment.

Sure, it’s valuable to look back so we can learn from what’s come before—but it doesn’t serve us to dwell on the past. And while it’s wonderful to look forward to the future, you can’t live there, either. The true gift is being fully present, so you can appreciate the good things happening right now.

As I like to say:

“Life is a very special occasion—don’t miss it!”

Wishing all of you a wonderful holiday season and a new year filled with opportunities to lead with purpose and bring out the best in others.