If you're in sales or deep in business planning for 2026, you may have chosen a “Word of the Year” to help guide your goals. I've often thought about doing that but never quite committed. Choosing one word to shape the next 12 months has always felt daunting—yet looking back on this past year, one word rises clearly to the surface: change.
This has been one of my most demanding years in recent memory when it comes to that elusive work–life balance. There wasn't much of one. But when I pause to reflect—what was created, built, navigated, and accomplished—I'm overwhelmed in the best way.
Professionally
2025 was a milestone year. Julie Bradbury Miller and I launched a new team and brand—a vision that required time, creativity, grit, and a whole lot of heart. I could not be more proud of the foundation we've built or the path we're on. Our team is on track to close $70M this year, with $30M of that representing the clients I had the privilege to serve. While I don't usually dwell on numbers, these milestones represent something deeper: the trust of clients and referrals who allowed me to guide their real estate journeys. I never take that for granted. I am so grateful to love this work—and to thrive in it.
Personally
Our family spent ten months planning and living through a first-floor renovation that stretched our patience, creativity, and capacity. It was messy, inconvenient, and exhausting…and absolutely worth it. We are now settled into a space that feels like “us” again. And as if that weren't enough change, both my parents and John's parents relocated—from Connecticut to Winnetka and from Florida to Glenview. We are deeply grateful to have them close, but moving two sets of parents cross-country is no small feat!
As someone who sets goals for both life and business, I find it grounding to pause at year's end and look backward before moving forward. In just a few weeks, we'll turn the page to a new year—a clean slate, fresh energy, and the chance to begin again.
Until then, I hope this holiday season gives you time to pause, reflect, and embrace all the blessings—big and small—that this past year brought your way.
