Wintering - the phase before growth
Are you in the depths of Winter or bouncing with Spring energy?
Winter is a time for reflection, reviewing, planning and patience that to the outside world can look like down time but under the surface it's a time of listening to the whispers, figuring out the year ahead and waiting to see what will grow in 2026. If you're finding it hard to get into 'action' mode this new year it could be that your body and brain are still in the wintering phase. This phase is slower in external go-getting 'action' compared the full on burst of summer energy, but that doesn't mean nothing is happening. Sustainable growth requires putting down roots and wintering before expansion.
If you'd like to honour nature's cycles this winter season, take a look at our Putting Down Roots guide to ease you through this phase and to stronger roots and greater growth when it is ready, and share it with anyone who it might help.
Making the most of wintering
Listening to the whispers of 2026, spending time on getting prepared, aligned, clear and ready to make the best of the year to come are all ways to honour winter at work. Time with your team to get clear on what success looks like in 2026 is a great wintering activity and essential to achieving those goals. Aligning behind a shared direction and goals and bringing clarity to how you'll reach them together are key activities for this time of year:
Strategy - are you all clear on your strategic focus for 2026 to stay on track and not be distracted by shiny new things?
Operational plans - do you all understand this year's strategy will be effectively implemented? The what, when, where, how and who of delivering what the business needs?
Purpose and values - is everyone clear about why the business exists and it's impact beyond profit, how you all work together and seamlessly bring in the right people for future growth?
Each other - do you all appreciate how you all approach work differently? How do you turn what might seem like annoying habits or ways of working into your key strengths as a team.
A mixture of the above.
And on the theme of reflection, planning and connection, there is currently a Loafspark offer to help teams get focused during this winter phase for delivery in 2026. For sessions booked in Jan and Feb we're offering a rate of £926 for a full day session, and £626 for a half daysession with your team. Reach out to book sarah@loafspark.com.
Purpose Powered Growth
Strong roots are essential to growing sustainable and successful businesses. We are soon launching an accelerator programme for Female Founders who are growing their purpose-driven businesses. The Accelerator is in development and not currently on our website. To find out more email sarah@loafspark.com.