A great next year doesn’t happen by accident—it happens when you slow down with Jesus, learn the lessons, and choose priorities on purpose.
Mark and Erica talk about why a year-end review is a game-changer for leaders who feel like life is moving fast and the stakes are high. Mark shares how his “annual eject” grew out of ministry wipeouts—burnout, confusion, and missed opportunities—and why slowing down creates clarity, pruning, worship, and confidence. You’ll hear the heartbeat behind the process, plus a preview of the eight questions they’ll unpack in the episodes ahead.
📋 Key Takeaways
1. The stakes are real: without intentional review, you risk missed moments (family + ministry), confusion on the team, and “swim anxiety” from not knowing if you’re headed the right direction.
2. Remembering becomes worship: looking back isn’t just evaluation—it’s noticing how God carried you, corrected you, and provided for you.
3. The real gold is Jesus: the process isn’t just planning; it’s re-syncing with the Master and letting Him talk about your soul, not just your schedule.
💬 Quotes & Soundbites
“Confusion doesn’t just stay in the schedule—it gets in your bones.”
“Just because He’s with you doesn’t mean He’s anointing that.”
“A great year doesn’t happen by accident. Wise people ask the right questions with God.”
🕐 Timestamps
0:06–2:25 Why Mark does a yearly “eject” (origin story + why it matters)
3:27–6:09 The stakes: missed opportunities, confusion, and “swim anxiety”
7:00–12:35 Benefits: pruning, margin, worship, and the “paper map” big-picture view
12:47–13:35 The 8-question framework preview (looking back + looking forward)
13:44–22:48 Quick explanation of each question (what it means at a high level)
23:00–26:44 The deeper win: being on the same page with Jesus + closing Scripture
EIGHT QUESTIONS THAT SHAPE YOUR ENTIRE YEAR:
1. “What are the lessons from the calendar of last year?”
2. “What should you/we probably do less of? (Where do I have the least value-add?)”
3. “What do you pretend not to know?”
4. “What are the greatest opportunities for the coming year?”
5. “What is a MUST for next year?”
6. “If you could only take ground in one or two areas here, what would they be?”
7. “What would be neat/great but could come in third or less in importance?”
8. “What do the goals for this make possible?”
If you’ve been moving fast but quietly wondering, “Are we even going the right way?”—this episode is your off-ramp. Mark and Erica unpack why wise leaders do a year-end review with Jesus, so next year isn’t louder… it’s truer.
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