What Will You Be Celebrating on December 31, 2025?
On December 31, 2025 – What Do You Want to Be Celebrating?
In July, I challenged you to block out time to reflect—where you are now, and where do you want to be by the end of the year?
Did you make time to complete the challenge? If yes—fantastic! If not—no worries.
The good news? There’s still plenty of time.
🎡 Fair Season & Leadership? Yes, They’re Connected
Each year the Iowa State Fair vendors introduce dozens of unique new food choices, many of which are on a stick, because the Iowa State Fair is famous for foods on a stick.
A dedicated committee—one I’d love to join someday!—narrowed down over 60 entries to eleven, and then just three finalists for 2025’s “Best New Fair Food” contest which the public will vote on during the first several days of the fair. The one with the most votes wins the coveted best new fair food of that year.
The top 11 were:
Bacon Chicken Ranch Eggroll from Winn & Sara’s Kitchen
Three Little Pigs from Whatcha Smokin? BBQ
The Scotcheroo Shake from Over the Top
The Butter Cow Tornado from Dairy Zone
Maple Bacon Bourbon Grilled Cheese form What’s Your Cheez?
Hawaiian Hog from the Iowa Pork Producers – Iowa Pork Tent
Nashville Hot Chicken Mac N’ Cheese Pizza Slice from Wiseguys Woodfire Pizza
Sweet Granny’s Apple Delight Sundae from Applishus
HoQ Lamb Wrap from HoQ
Chicken Pickle Ranch Rocket On A Stick from JR’s SouthPork Ranch
Potato Half & Half Korean Corn Dog from GoldenKDog
Drum roll please for this year’s three finalists:
Bacon Chicken Ranch Eggroll – Chicken, bacon, white cheddar, and a drizzle of Winn & Sara’s famous ranch (Win & Sara won in 2024 with the bacon cheeseburger egg roll!)
Three Little Pigs – Three ham balls, each uniquely glazed: honey mustard with cornbread crumbles, cherry soda with maraschino cherries, and a sweet vanilla powdered sugar version.
Scotcheroo Shake – Butterscotch and peanut butter ice cream swirled with fudge, topped with a full slice of scotcheroo.
Yes, I plan to try all three—but not on the same day!
You may be wondering what does the Iowa State Fair have to do with leadership and empowering ourselves?
More than you might think.
Habits - Each year we can count on the fair being held in August and we have certain routines and rituals we have come to expect. There are vendors who are at the fair each year. One of my favorites is the Dessert Coffee folks from Missouri and I don’t even drink coffee, but they have the best dessert coffee and bread mixes around. The Christian concert kicks off the first night of the fair, followed by 10 more days of concerts focused on a variety of music and there are plenty of free concerts for all to enjoy. Demonstrations focus on more things you can imagine, and the 4-H building highlights the amazing talents of our young leaders. Consistency builds momentum. The same applies to leadership. Establishing even one powerful new habit can move you closer to your goals.
Choices - There are always plenty of foods to sample, just like there are a never-ending stream of options to choose from when leading. Some of which you will like and some you won’t. You can try as many foods and leadership styles as possible though you certainly don’t have to explore or test them all at the same time. Narrow the choices down. See what works and feels authentic to you. Then choose what’s best for you and your team.
Collaboration - Just like the fair relied on a committee to narrow the choices for the final three fair foods for the public, you don’t have to go it alone, either. Ask your network-your supervisor, peers, family, friends, accountability buddy etc. to help you figure out options. Collaboration multiplies your momentum.
What Will You Celebrate on December 31, 2025, and what will you do in order to accomplish your goal ?
Here are three simple reflection prompts to guide your next steps:
✨ Habit – What’s one new habit you want to build? When will you start?
✨ Choice – What decision can you make today that will help your goal become a reality?
✨ Collaborate – Who will you ask for support, advice, or accountability?
Remember:
It will be December 31,2025 no matter what. You can either be living your intention or not. The choice is yours. And whatever you choose—that’s okay.
If you want something different, decide what it is you are able and willing to change to get it because if you change nothing, nothing will change.
Here’s to fair food, fearless goals, and finishing the year strong.
