By Jonathan Broekman, Principal at Homes of Distinction
Dear clients and friends,
Every year as the calendar edges closer to December, there’s a familiar rush that sets in - plans, projects, parties, promises. We start talking about “next year” as though something magical will happen at midnight on the 31st. But the truth is, nothing actually changes when the clock strikes twelve - except, of course, the date. Everything else stays the same… that is unless we decide it won’t.
I shared this thought with my team recently: if change is what we’re after, then we can’t wait for a new year to deliver it. The time to begin is always now.
Lately, I’ve been reflecting on this quote: “Some seasons are for roots, not fruit.” It speaks to a truth we often overlook - good fruit depends on good roots. Not all growth is visible. Some happens quietly, beneath the surface, where resilience and purpose take hold. Just as a tree’s roots mirror the strength and spread of its branches above, the depth of what we build inside determines the quality of what eventually shows on the outside.
This year, coming out of Winter - a natural season of hibernation and contemplation - we’ve been given the perfect time to set intentions for what comes next. And now, as Summer arrives with its longer days and lighter moods, we step into a season made for fruit - for living out what we’ve been preparing for all along.
For me, that means using this time to focus less on performance and more on presence. In South Africa, we’re fortunate that our festive season arrives with the warmth of summer - a time of light, renewal and connection. It’s a natural invitation to pause and ground ourselves, not just with colleagues or clients, but with family, friends and, perhaps most importantly, ourselves.
If we’re honest, many of us have drifted from the simple habits that truly sustain our health. When asked who’s most important in your life, how far down the list is your name? How often do we eat a meal together at the table - and when we do, is it without a phone nearby? When last did we go for a walk, cycle or swim simply because it felt good, not to count steps or shed calories? These small, ordinary acts are where real life and wellbeing take root, yet they’re often the first to slip away when we get busy chasing goals and deadlines.
So maybe this season, instead of trying to fit in more, focus on doing less - but doing it better. We sit down with our families, share meals, talk and listen. We move our bodies, not to compete or compare, but to care - for our hearts, our minds and our health. And we take stock of the things we’d like to change, making a start, however small, right now.
Because nothing changes if nothing changes. Simple, yet profound.
We all know that sense of waiting for “the right time” - the new year, the new month, the new Monday. But that mindset keeps us stuck in preparation mode instead of participation mode. The truth is, the perfect time to begin rarely arrives. Progress starts the moment we do something different, no matter how small.
So as you head into November, think of this as a season for planting and strengthening your roots - in your family table, your friendships, your health and your personal growth. Those roots will nourish the fruit you’ll see in the months to come.
And when the new year does arrive, you won’t need resolutions. You’ll already be living the change you wanted to make.
Wishing you a month of reconnection, reflection and quiet renewal.
Warm regards,
Jonathan Broekman
Principal, Homes of Distinction
