A Moment to Pause, Reflect, and Say Thank You
Pause Reflect and Thank-You
As the year comes to a close, I wanted to take a moment to slow things down.
Not to rush into goals, plans, or big declarations for next year, but to pause and reflect on what’s already happened.
If you’ve stopped by and read one of my blogs this year, thank you.
Truly. It means more than you probably realise.
If something I’ve written resonated with you and you’ve shared it with someone else, that means the world to me. These reflections only matter if they help someone pause, think, or feel a little more connected.
So before the year wraps up, here’s a look back at the wins, the learnings, and what I’m carrying forward.
The Wins Worth Noticing
This year, I created Dan Hall Co, something that started as a quiet idea and slowly became real.
I was fortunate to deliver Human Skills workshops to over 250 people across the Melbourne area, creating space for conversations around communication, emotional intelligence, leadership, and connection. Seeing people pause mid-session, reflect, and have those “ah-huh” moments never gets old. That’s the part of the work that lights me up.
One moment that made me especially proud happened during an Emerging Leaders Day.
While I was introducing the session, a young nurse raised her hand and said, very honestly:
“I don’t think I should be here. I’m not a leader.”
I walked over and asked her a simple question.
“When a patient deteriorates in your care and you press the alarm for help, and everyone arrives… who do they turn to first?”
She paused.
Then, a little sheepishly, she replied,
“Me?”
I smiled and said,
“So in that moment, you were the leader.”
“I guess so?”
“So why wouldn’t today be for you? You’re exactly the person who should be here.”
Her face lit up.
From that moment on, she flourished. She leaned into the activities, contributed openly, and genuinely enjoyed the day. At the end, she came up to thank me for what she called the “pep talk.”
It was a reminder that so many people are already leading, quietly and responsibly, without ever being told they are.
Leadership isn’t always loud.
Sometimes it’s simply being the one people turn to when it matters.
Another highlight this year was working with an electrician who initially struggled to see the value in so-called “soft skills.” Over time, that shifted. He began noticing his emotional responses, communicating more clearly, and even improving how he showed up at home with his wife, kids, and colleagues. Watching skills transfer from work into real life is incredibly rewarding.
I also created a Skool community, bringing together people from around the world who care about connection, communication, and growth. Slowly and intentionally, we’re building a culture focused on one simple idea: Make Human Skills Matter.
The Learnings That Shaped Me
Creating your own business is hard work.
All the little things you don’t think about at the start show up very quickly. Systems, structure, energy, doubt, it all becomes real. But it’s also been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. I’ve developed skills I never expected to need, and I’ve loved every minute of it, especially witnessing those “ah-huh” moments in clients and audiences.
Motivation hasn’t always been easy.
Some days, starting a draft email felt like a win. Some days, even opening the laptop, or getting out of bed took effort. What I’ve learned is that making tasks smaller matters. One sentence. One action. One ticked box. Most of the time, that small step creates momentum. And even when it doesn’t, it still counts.
Consistency hasn’t meant giving 100% every day.
There were days where I only had 20% to give, and that’s okay. Being human means some days are lighter than others. Doing one thing is still progress. It’s one less thing for tomorrow. Showing up a little each day accumulates into something far bigger over time, you just have to start.
The Support That Carried Me Through
I’d be remiss not to acknowledge the person who supported me most when things felt heavy.
My wife, Nicole.
Over the past 12 months, she has been there in every way, reading drafts of my posts, offering encouragement, grounding me when doubt crept in, and putting up with me on days when life felt tough.
Like most families, we’ve been tested at times while balancing kids, work, business, family life, and our dogs. It hasn’t always been smooth. But we’ve worked through it together.
Her support has been steady, honest, and deeply human and I’m incredibly grateful.
Thank you, honey. I love you.
Looking Ahead to What Matters Most
Next year, my biggest goal is more family time.
I’ve reshaped both my nursing work and my business so I can be more present at home. I once had a senior colleague tell me his kids remembered him always working, and that stayed with me.
I don’t want that for my kids.
I want them to remember morning coffees before school,. days at the footy, ice-cream dates, the good stuff.
At the same time, Making Human Skills Matter remains something I’m deeply passionate about.
Since COVID, many of us have become more inward. More hesitant. More worried about saying the wrong thing. But relationships don’t grow without curiosity. Connection doesn’t happen if we don’t feel comfortable asking a question.
And yes, that includes you reading this now.
I want to build a relationship with you. To share moments, reflections, lessons, and stories that help us all show up a little more human, at work, at home, and everywhere in between.
A Gentle Invitation to Reflect
Before the year ends, maybe pause and ask yourself:
What’s one win from this year you haven’t acknowledged yet?
What challenged you but helped you grow?
Where did you show up, even when it was hard?
What do you want the people closest to you to remember about this season of your life?
You don’t need perfect answers.
Honest ones are enough.
Thank you for being here.
Thank you for reading.
And if you think this might resonate with someone else, feel free to share it with them.