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Every December, Steve and I tend to have a similar moment.
We'll be standing outside in our shorts and flip-flops (or "thongs" in Australia, which I still refuse to say).
We're in 35 degree heat, listening to Christmas music with lyrics about snow and fireplaces.
And we say to each other, "This is weird."
Not bad.
Not unpleasant.
Just off.
We're Canadians.
Christmas is supposed to involve boots and gloves, and the possibility of needing to shovel your driveway.
Not sunscreen and searing heat.
And here is what we have learned:
That feeling is a signal.
It's our brains quietly tapping us on the shoulder saying, “Something here matters. Pay attention.”
So, we decided that next year, we're heading home for a proper white Christmas. (Yay!)
Which brings us to our new holiday series, Christmas in Flip-Flops.
In it, we're sharing surprising end-of-year lessons for business owners from the most upside-down season of all.
Where flip-flops are thongs, and Christmas carols talk about snow while we're applying SPF 50.
So on that note, let’s jump into lesson #1:
WHEN SOMETHING FEELS WRONG, PAY ATTENTION
In your business, you'll have these moments too.
Moments where something feels off, even if you can't explain why.
Most people ignore that feeling.
Great leaders listen to it, and use it to guide them.
Here's what we mean:
1- Your intuition notices misalignment before your brain does
That uneasy feeling is the very first signal something needs attention.
It might be:
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A client conversation that drains you
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A team meeting that feels strangely tense
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A project that feels hard, and you just can't get yourself to get started on
Those feelings are information
They are your internal system saying, “Look over here.”
2- When it feels wrong, it often means your values are being compromised
A hot Christmas doesn't feel wrong to us just because it is hot.
It feels wrong because it's not aligned with what matters most to us.
We value family, but being in Australia means being away from some of the people we love most over the holidays.
So the discomfort we feel isn't really about the temperature.
It's our values telling us something is out of alignment.
The same thing happens inside your business: if you're feeling drained, tense, or unsettled, it is usually because one of your values is being compromised.
2 simple examples:
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If you value respect and a conversation leaves you feeling dismissed, your intuition will flag it immediately.
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If you value collaboration, but your team meeting feels like people aren't listening to each other, no wonder it would feel off.
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If you value accountability, but you're procrastinating on a project, the frustration you feel makes sense.
Those signals are your internal system trying to steer you back toward what's important.
3- The feeling usually points to the next right step
Every “this feels off” moment is information about what needs to shift.
It could be something that needs to:
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Stop: like a client relationship that drains you or expectations that are no longer fair
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Start: like a conversation you have been avoiding or a new standard that needs to be set
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Change: like a role that needs redefining or a system that no longer supports the way you want to work
And sometimes the feeling is simply a reminder to choose what matters most.
Just like this upside down Christmas is reminding us that next year we want to be home with family again.
Discomfort is not the problem.
It is the compass.
Bottom line
When something feels wrong in your business, it's not random.
Treat it like a signal, identify what's out of alignment, and choose a next step that brings you back to the right path.
Hope this helps, and enjoy the sun this Christmas!
Speak soon,
Lynne and Steve
TLDR
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If something feels off, treat it as a signal
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Misalignment usually means a value is being crossed
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Your discomfort points to what needs to stop, start, or change
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Listen to those moments and let them guide your next decision
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