Happy New Year! However, you have started 2026, I invite you to first reflect whether you feel in control of it, or if January has started without you! Lots of people have told me the latter and full disclosure, I am not sure that I feel “fully ready” yet. What do I mean by this? Well, I have decided some goals and outcomes and inserted dates in the calendar. If you have been a Brighter Thinker for a while, you may recall that I encourage deciding and allocating holidays, breaks and the priorities first.
If the most important items are not scheduled in an annual, monthly, weekly or even daily calendar, these will get pushed to the back of the queue. Less important things will rush to take all the time available. This is frequently cited in the catchall term “life admin”.
I’ve got a sense of many goals that I would like to be achieve – even in the last quarter of the year, but because I’m unexpectedly going away, final plans may not be decided until next week. Life happens.
The important thing though is that I am thinking about it. Having done the reflection and review of last year (see last month’s Tip to help you), I have faced the mixed bag of what went well and where improvements can be made. Plus, the opportunities where I can make more time for activities that energise me, and don’t repeat the ones that drain.
Actively reflecting on all of this, mirrors what usually occurs in a first 1:1 coaching session with me. Having completed some onboarding exercises and assessments online, I then support (and challenge!) the coaching client to consider how things are for them right now. I ask LOTS of questions and can suggest areas that you will not have thought about so that no stone is left unturned. It may be that actively working on these ‘hidden areas’ of your life that will make the most positive difference to your overall happiness, satisfaction and success. When I was originally training to become a brain-friendly coach over twenty-one years ago, we called this your “current reality”.
Understanding exactly what is going on at the start is essential for the vital part in determining where you want to get to. This is why there is no fixed route or plan to achieve a specific goal: the journey will be unique to you. Comparison is futile despite our best efforts in thinking “they are at X” or “they have got Y, why not me yet?” or even “why haven’t they changed Z!” They probably did not begin in the same place as you did. Nor do they have your life.
There are several easy ways that you can gain clarity on your starting line for how you can create your best year:
Life inventory
Think about the different areas or roles in your life and rate your performance and/or enjoyment in them. You can use prompts to stimulate your thinking however, it is best to label them in your own words. Not everyone has e.g. Spirituality, Growth, Relationships or Fitness as key criteria as to what makes them tick.
You can draw this or complete a Wheel of Life / Wheel of Balance if you prefer. I’ve not favoured these in my coaching career due to their predefined labels reflecting having an agenda on what is an ideal life. It is far better to use a blank template and label your own areas. You could draw a bar chart instead.
Values
Determine whether what you are doing reflects your Core Values. Are your Values being demonstrated every week? If not, this is a clear indicator that your life has gone off track. Unless you already know what your values are and whether they are accurate for your life stage now (not decades ago!) it’s not a quick exercise to do though. As there will be a future Brighter Thinking Tips focusing in-depth on Values with case studies, I will come back to this.
Ask a friend, family member or even your boss (if you have one)
Yes, they will be flattered that you asked them for advice however, any comments that they make on what is going on in your life will likely come from a place of judgment. Hopefully (!) they will not mean it. However, their thinking will be a result of all the perceptions in their brain (and not your brain) for what is good for them, not you. That saying, your partner or person who you think knows you best can offer valuable observations and insights. You must be willing to hear some uncomfortable truths though to avoid triggering friction between you. Choose your confidants carefully…
Hire a Life Coach or Executive Coach to help you
Well, of course I would say this! This is because:
a) it will ensure that it gets done
b) it will be thorough and stretch you
c) it will be easier than doing by yourself
d) it will be much faster than doing by yourself
e) a coach gives you courage to dare to dream and think bigger
f) there will be no agenda or judgment because they are external to your life and have the professional training and experience of hundreds if not thousands of people opening up to them about their unique situation. Not to mention supporting and challenging others like you to achieve their goals and exceed their expectations of themselves.
Whichever method you choose, be kind to yourself. You are wonderful with all your habits and perceived imperfections. You give so much value to others already. You do not have to repeat the past and you can make changes. The secret is being honest, brave and having clarity about where you are starting from.
NEW! MY FIRST BOOK IS NOW ON SALE – I’m excited that The Brighter Thinking Coach, is available to purchase via Amazon worldwide (switch to your country on Amazon’s website).
If you are in the United Kingdom, and would prefer to buy a signed copy direct from me, send me a message.
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