Here we go … It’s the start of another year. I hope you've had a good break and managed to switch off, recharge your batteries, catch-up with friends and family and you're now ready for the next twelve months.

As we get back to work at the start of a new year, I’ve been watching people out for their first walk, run and cycle of the year.

Part of all those great New Year resolutions and plans we make at this time of year.

I joined them - with a New Year’s Day walk with friends, a ‘short’ cycle ride yesterday and my first 'run' of the year earlier today. I've reactivated the Couch to 5k app after spending far too long on the couch avoiding the rain, wind and cold last year!

I’ve also been reading some of the articles that come out at this time of year. Why you should or shouldn’t have New Year resolutions. Why you should or shouldn’t set goals each year. Contradictory advice perhaps but it’s the underlying reasons that are important to the 'why'.

• Maybe you’re perfectly happy with where you are.
• Perhaps you set resolutions and goals each year but they fizzle out somewhere in February.
• You don’t set them because you know you’ll never stick to them.

Either way, NOW is the time to think about what you want for the coming year. If that’s something that’s important to you, your business and your life.

If you’ve already read and actioned my previous post for reviewing the year, you’ll have a good idea of what comes next.

What do you want to achieve this year? 

You might find it helpful to think about all the different areas of your life. Work or business, financial, relationships - family and friends, community, social, health & wellbeing:

• Get really clear about your goals for each area or role. Not just the superficial, what you think you should do goals but the ones YOU really want.
• What's your motivation to achieve your them and why are they important to you. This is where it helps to dig a little deeper than just your initial thoughts. Some may be more obvious than others but why do you really want that goal.
• Create an action plan that will help you achieve your goals. Breaking a dream, wish or goal into action steps and tasks that will help you to achieve your goal while make it easier to see the route to take.
• What are the challenges that are likely to stop you from moving forward? Being aware of them means you can put a plan in place to tackle them as they come up.

Take a few minutes, not just to plan what you want for the next year but to think about what your life will be like in 12 months time and to commit pen to paper and write it down ... in your journal, your planner, your scheduler. Imagine it as though you've actually achieved it.

How will it look and feel? What will you be doing? Remember ...

A dream without a plan is just a wish.

What are the habits you need to change or develop that will support you in 2023?

Habits are important and help you to reduce the need to rely on willpower and motivation alone, which only lasts so long and only gets you so far.

Check out my New Year Offers:

• 5 Day Challenge - Plan Your Week

• 31 Day Challenge - Change Your Habits

What would you like more of this year and what do you want to do less of? Drop me a line or let me know in the comments.

If you’re interested in finding out more about working with me to help you achieve this, let’s have a chat and you can take advantage of the New Year Kick-Start Coaching offer.