Built Not Born Podcast · 16 December 2024
It's Chrismasssss: Reflecting on 2024 and Planning for 2025
Chris and Helen look back on 2024, share how a simple change log helped them recognise progress, talk openly about mental health and business pressures, and discuss what they want to improve in 2025.
Episode guide
About this episode
Christmas gives Chris and Helen a natural point to slow down and look back at the year. In this festive episode, they reflect on the highs, the difficult periods and the changes they made across both business and family life during 2024.
One of the most useful ideas they introduced was a simple change log. Rather than relying on memory at the end of the year, they recorded changes as they happened, from small operational improvements to much bigger developments. By the end of the year, the list had grown to around 70 or 80 completed changes, giving them a much clearer picture of how much had actually moved forward.
That process also helped with something Chris had been trying to improve: celebrating wins rather than immediately moving on to the next problem. They talk about how easy it is to feel as though little has been achieved when running a business, especially when much of the year is spent dealing with pressure, setbacks and day-to-day demands.
The conversation also returns to mental health, a subject they had spoken about more openly throughout the year. Chris describes starting 2024 in a difficult place mentally but finishing the year feeling far more positive. Helen reflects on the value of being honest about the harder parts of business rather than presenting a version where everything always appears easy.
Looking towards 2025, they discuss building better processes and testing a shared task system to make responsibilities clearer and reduce overwhelm. They also talk about the progress made in improving their diet and routines, while accepting that not every personal and business goal can be tackled at the same pace.
The episode is also very much a Christmas conversation. Chris and Helen share favourite songs, food, childhood memories and changing family traditions, including how Christmas is evolving as their son gets older. It closes with thanks to the customers, staff, suppliers, partners, friends and family who were part of their year, and with real excitement about putting more energy into Two Krakens during 2025.
Key takeaways
What you'll learn
- Keeping a simple business change log can make year-end reflection more useful by recording both small improvements and major changes.
- Celebrating progress matters because business owners can easily move straight from one task or problem to the next without recognising what has gone well.
- A difficult period does not define the whole year. Chris and Helen reflect on how their outlook and mental wellbeing improved as 2024 progressed.
- Simple systems, including clearer shared task management, can help reduce overwhelm when both business owners are carrying a large number of responsibilities.
- Planning for the next year becomes more grounded when it starts with an honest review of what worked, what did not and what changed during the year.
- Chris and Helen are preparing to put more time and focus into Two Krakens during 2025 while continuing to improve the systems around Thread A Pixel.
Questions from this episode
Frequently asked questions
How can business owners keep track of what they achieved during the year?
Chris and Helen use a simple change log to record changes as they happen. It includes both small operational improvements and larger developments, giving them something concrete to review at the end of the year instead of relying on memory.
Why do Chris and Helen think celebrating small wins matters?
They recognise that it is easy to complete something and immediately move on to the next task. Reviewing completed changes helps them see progress more clearly and gives them a more balanced view of the year.
What are Chris and Helen changing for 2025?
They plan to keep improving business processes, trial a shared task management system and put more time into Two Krakens while continuing to build better systems around Thread A Pixel.
What does the episode say about mental health in business?
Chris and Helen talk openly about the pressure of running businesses and how their mental wellbeing changed during 2024. They argue that honest conversations about difficult periods can be more relatable than presenting business as though everything is always going well.