As 2024 draws to a close, I reflect on a journey full of personal and professional growth. This year has been about building meaningful connections, achieving clarity of mind, growing financial strength, and gaining momentum in every area of my life. Here’s a look at my 2024 through the lens of Meaning, Mind, Money, and Momentum.

Meaning - Building Purpose and Connection

My work is rooted in meaning. I help business owners and leaders uncover, reassess, or reset their purpose and align their personal and professional lives.

This year, I expanded my coaching and consultancy services, including developing a signature programme for launch in 2025 that supports clients in aligning Meaning, Money, Mind, and Momentum.

It is incredibly fulfilling to guide clients and see the transformative results.

Some highlights include:

• Working with professional and financial service business owners to develop their vision and strategies.

• I co-delivered an event for professionals and business owners, during which we explored the emotional and practical challenges and opportunities of wealth and money.

• I delivered an off-site strategy programme for an accountancy firm owner preparing for their 2027 ambitions.

• I supported clients in focusing on and clarifying their business and personal goals.

On a personal level, Meaning came through family and community. My daughter’s engagement and pupillage at a leading Chambers were proud milestones, my son’s graduation and move into the world of work were pivotal, and various family celebrations reminded me of what is important and brings people closer together. I continued my involvement with Andy’s Man Club, representing them at events, including delivering a mental health awareness presentation for a large accountancy firm.

Mind - Cultivating Clarity and Growth

This year, I prioritised mental clarity and professional development. Following a tumultuous few years, the last few years have involved reappraisal and reset, including leaving my career-long role as a tax adviser and qualifying as an Executive Coach. A key achievement in 2024 was extending my coaching expertise by becoming a Certified Financial Coach. This deepens my ability to support business leaders in balancing wealth and well-being and reflecting on how money habits serve or sabotage them.

I also attended the Henley Coaching Business Academy programme, equipping myself with even more tools to help clients navigate complex challenges. Re-engaging with various networking groups and getting involved in new ones has brought fresh energy, while new connections inspired fresh ideas for the year ahead.

I explored my mental clarity through hobbies and wellness:

• Playing racketball regularly and joining a Padel tennis club has been invigorating, providing weekly structure, exercise and social connection.

• Walking our dog at the beach near our home provided the perfect escape to reflect and recharge.

• Concerts, shows, and cinema visits—too many to list!—reminded me of the importance of joy and creativity in keeping the mind sharp and open. Admiring experts in their field, from Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake to Foo Fighters at the London Stadium, is a great way to have fun while gaining different perspectives.

Money - Building Financial Mastery

Money isn’t just about wealth—it’s about making it work for your life and goals. It’s about options and opportunities. It’s about living life as best you can on your terms. This year, I lived by this philosophy for myself and my clients.

Professionally, I launched my Financial Mastery for Leaders programme, helping professionals and business owners align wealth with well-being. This offering secured new business and created powerful conversations around sustainable success.

In my property portfolio, I achieved significant milestones:

• Refinanced four properties and added a new property to the portfolio.

• Maintained high occupancy rates and evolved strategies for our overseas holiday property.

These successes reinforced the importance of strategy and adaptability—lessons I pass on to my clients.

Momentum - Building and Sustaining Progress

Momentum is the bridge between dreams and reality, and 2024 was a year of accelerating towards long-term goals.

I created a solid foundation of customer-focused content for my consultancy, including guides, blog posts, and tools like health checks and quizzes. These resources are designed to empower clients and demonstrate the value of our collaboration.

Travel played a significant role in maintaining momentum and creating memories for 2024. From multiple trips to Spain, a family wedding in Cyprus, and an anniversary celebration in Iceland to exploring Anglesey, Chester, and York, each journey offered inspiration and renewal.

Closer to home, we fully refurbished our house, a haven for family gatherings and relaxation.

Momentum also meant focusing on health. This year, I took proactive steps by undergoing a full-body MRI and prostate check through CHAPS, ensuring I am in the best shape to continue pursuing my goals.

Looking Ahead

As I look forward to 2025, I am excited about the seeds planted this year:

• New business relationships and opportunities to deepen the impact of my coaching.

• Building on the momentum of my various programmes and expanding reach.

• Continuing to grow my property portfolio and refine my strategies.

• Exploring more travel, connection, and ways to align life with purpose.

This year reminded me of the power of balancing Meaning, Mind, Money, and Momentum. It is a formula that works not just for business but for life, and I am deeply grateful for the lessons and achievements of 2024.

Here’s to an even more aligned and impactful 2025!

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I am Justin Walton, an Executive and Financial Coach and Consultant who works with ambitious entrepreneurs and business leaders who want to be their best selves at work and home. I have the Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching from Henley Business School and am a Certified Financial Coach through The Money Panel.

My approach is to help my clients gain alignment between Meaning (sense of self), Mind (sense of health), Money (sense of wealth), and Momentum (sense of growth). My clients may be doing well, but something may need to be changed and be bothering them, creating misalignment.

With a 25+ year career in the professional services space behind me, I use my unique experience and expertise to help talented business leaders and owners elevate their potential.

Photo by Jonatan Pie on Unsplash