As I wrap up 2025, I wanted to pause and reflect on what this year really taught me about growth, expectations, and what actually creates freedom, both in business and in life. From unexpected travel pivots to quiet operational lessons inside real estate investing, this reflection isn’t about highlight reels or hustle. It’s about the subtle decisions, systems, and seasons that make long-term scale sustainable. If you’re heading into 2026 thinking about how to grow without burning out, this perspective will help you rethink what really matters before you add more to your plate.
For a complete guide on optimizing and scaling your real estate investments, download my Freedom Blueprint! This essential tool walks you through ten key steps for organizing a profitable property portfolio. Click here to get your copy today!
I’m Adrienne Green, and today I’m sharing a reflection on my 2025. I’m coming to you at the very end of the year from Hoi An, Vietnam. I always have to think about where I am at the moment, but Hoi An, Vietnam is where I’ll be for a bit. As I reflect on what has been a very busy year, if you follow along on Instagram or social media, you know that I travel the world full time with my family while running our virtual staffing business, Workergenics, and managing my own real estate investment properties, including lending. It’s been a full year, and I wanted to look back and share some highlights, lessons learned, and themes that I think can help you as you move into 2026.
I rang in 2025 in a pretty epic way. We were in Manila, in the Philippines, on the helicopter landing pad of the Sheraton Hotel for their New Year’s party. None of that was planned or expected. What actually happened is that we arrived in Manila on December 27 or 28, just a couple of days before. We got in around 1 a.m., took a Grab to our Airbnb that we had booked for about a two week stay, walked in, turned on the lights, and had the kids wash up after traveling. I saw a roach and thought, that happens.
Then we saw a lot more roaches, to the point where we knew we weren’t staying there. We immediately called Airbnb, left, and scrambled to find a place to stay for the next two weeks, which is a busy holiday season in Manila. New Year’s is a huge celebration there. We had to adapt our plans. In that process, my husband found a Sheraton we could stay in. We had pieced together a couple of places, and this was just for New Year’s Eve because there were no openings anywhere else.
When we booked it, they told us they were hosting a New Year’s Eve party. We signed up, and the party included going up onto the roof, onto their helipad, and being there at midnight while fireworks were going off all across Manila. It was incredible and completely unexpected.
The takeaway from that experience is this: we plan very carefully. Our travel is usually booked six to nine months in advance, and still, things happen. A friend of mine says, “Plan tight, but stay loose.” That phrase really defined our 2025. We planned well, put ourselves in great situations, and pivoted when we needed to. Planning tightly while staying flexible made all the difference.
Another highlight from January was visiting our team in the Philippines. At Workergenics, we employ Filipino virtual assistants and help entrepreneurs in the U.S. leverage that talent. In January, we were able to visit and host two employee parties in different locations. It was incredible to see people face to face after working together for years.
What really stood out were the stories of how this work has changed their lives. One woman we met in Cebu came with her husband and three boys. Her youngest wasn’t school aged yet, and because of the income she earns working with us, her husband is able to stay home and care for their youngest. They were also able to buy a car. Hearing how this work supports their family and quality of life was a huge highlight.
As we moved into spring, we spent several months traveling around Asia, about five months total, which was our first time on the continent. We loved it so much that we’re back again now. Some stops were planned purely for logistics. We planned a week in Korea and a week in Sri Lanka because the flights worked out that way. Neither was a major focus, but both completely exceeded our expectations.
That taught me how much expectations shape our experiences. When we build something up as a guaranteed home run, it can be hard for reality to meet that standard. Even a great outcome can feel disappointing if expectations were too high. On the flip side, when expectations are lower, experiences can be surprisingly meaningful. As you plan for 2026, it’s worth paying attention to what expectations you’re carrying into opportunities and how that might shape your experience.
Over the summer, we spent two and a half months in the United Kingdom, visiting England, Scotland, and Wales. One unexpected realization was that our countryside experiences consistently surpassed our city experiences. The countryside was beautiful, full of walking paths, historic buildings, and slower moments.
That reinforced another lesson: the quieter moments often matter most. In real estate investing, it’s easy to focus on acquisitions and exits, but the real impact comes from what happens in between. Holding properties long enough, managing them well day to day, and sticking with a strategy instead of chasing the next shiny object often determines long-term returns. The unglamorous, consistent management is what makes or breaks an investment.
In the fall, we returned to the U.S. for a few months to check on our properties. We hadn’t seen our short term rentals in Myrtle Beach or our long term rentals in Chattanooga for about a year and a half. It was a real test of long distance investing. The properties were in great shape, which reinforced my belief in remote investing when systems and support are in place.
One thing I’ve loved about full time travel is the seasonality it creates. Just like in nature, seasons in life and work are healthy. They bring renewed energy and perspective. As you plan your year, consider where you can intentionally create seasons of work and rest.
For example, during December 2025, I took a few weeks completely off for travel. We went to Hawaii, Japan, and Hong Kong. I deleted my normal time blocking and treated it as true time off. Earlier in the fall, we were in full work mode, checking on properties and handling business. Then we shifted fully into rest.
That winter travel was also our kids’ Christmas present. We planned it around what each child loves. Japan was for our oldest, who adores it. While there, we saw a penguin parade in Hokkaido, which was a special experience for our youngest, who loves penguins. We returned to Vietnam, which is our middle child’s favorite place. Instead of gifts and stockings, we gave them experiences.
Traveling full time has shown me how little stuff we actually need. Excess stuff clutters our homes, our minds, and our lives. As you head into 2026, I encourage you to consider giving yourself and your loved ones experiences instead of more things. Those experiences create memories, growth, and connection in ways that stuff never will.
As I look back on 2025, my biggest takeaways are these: plan tightly but stay flexible. Recognize the impact you’re making on the people you work with. Be mindful of how expectations shape your experiences. Value the quiet, consistent moments in your business and investments. Embrace seasons of work and rest. And prioritize meaningful experiences with the people you love.
I hope this reflection gives you something to think about as you plan for 2026 and the kind of life and business you want to build.