As the year winds down and inboxes overflow with performance reviews and planning decks, it’s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture — or, more precisely, the dream that once inspired you to build your career in the first place.

Speaking on HOT Business with Jeremy Maggs, powered by Standard Bank,  Tinyiko Ndlala, Strategic Business Director at Leagas Delaney South Africa, challenges professionals to pause and reconnect with the “career fantasies” that fuel passion and purpose.

According to Ndlala, many people stop dreaming in their thirties — often trading “wonder for stability.” The corporate climb, she argues, can become a cycle of execution rather than exploration, where KPIs replace curiosity. “We forget that our careers aren’t just a function of doing,” she says. “They should stretch us, excite us, and evolve with us.”

Ndlala suggests that rekindling this sense of ambition doesn’t require radical reinvention. It might start with mentoring a junior colleague, volunteering for a cross-departmental project, or simply asking yourself: What makes my work feel meaningful? Small acts of reflection, she notes, can reignite creativity and create new momentum.

For leaders, there’s a powerful takeaway too — creating cultures that reward initiative, curiosity, and growth beyond financial incentives. Encouraging employees to explore their professional “what ifs” can turn maintainers into creators and keep innovation alive.

As the business year wraps up, perhaps it’s time for every professional to include themselves in the annual strategy review — not just their department or division. Because, as Ndlala reminds us, fulfilment at work isn’t a luxury; it’s a renewable source of energy that fuels success.

Listen to Tinyiko Ndlala’s interview on HOT Business with Jeremy Maggs below: