I know it sounds clichéd, but no one can deny that almost irrational feeling that January 1st is a reset. It’s your chance to do things differently, make a fresh start, and vow to do better. Psychologically, it’s an opportunity to draw a line under the past and embrace the feeling that January 1st truly frees you from everything that happened in the 365 days before. If you’re anything like me, it’s also a period of reflection: what worked, what didn’t, and how can I avoid repeating the same mistakes?
So, how can you make use of this mindset to propel yourself into the New Year? Here are five things I’d recommend reviewing.
- Do you really need 12 months?
If you’re a goal-setter, do you really need 12 months to achieve your objectives? Personally, I’ve been trying to adopt the “sprint” approach from the tech world, where you focus on finite periods of time, or the 12 Week Year mindset. In this framework, each week acts as a month, and each day is treated as a week. It’s designed to help you streamline your activities and focus on what truly moves the needle. Twelve months is a long time to stay engaged with one goal. Why not give yourself a shorter timeframe and either hit your target—or pivot—sooner? - Do you know where you’re going and why?
One thing I learned early in my career is that having some sort of direction helps ensure you don’t end up where you don’t want to be. This doesn’t mean being inflexible or having all the answers, but it does mean being clear about what success looks like for you. Defining your “why” is critical when deciding what you are and aren’t prepared to do. Keep your “why” front and centre, and let it guide your decisions. Which leads to my next point… - What are your baselines?
I picked this up from international speaker and social commentator Luvvie Ajayi Jones. She advocates for setting clear boundaries and having baseline criteria for decision-making. For instance, she uses three or four key questions to evaluate opportunities, such as: “Does this fee reflect my value?” or “Will I enjoy doing this work?” These criteria—whether professional or personal—are invaluable for helping you stay aligned with your goals and values when making decisions. - How can you step up your business?
Business isn’t always glamorous. Paperwork, procedures, and systems can feel tedious, but they’re absolutely necessary. I’ve had clients who wanted to bypass documentation because they thought it was “too low-level,” only to be grateful for it when clarity was needed later. Good business practices protect everyone involved—including you. This doesn’t just mean contracts. Are you keeping solid financial records? Do you have an efficient booking process that ensures you get all the information you need upfront? If these aren’t your strengths, it might be worth outsourcing. The key is to ensure your business is running smoothly, so you can focus on what you do best. - How are you going to make sure you’re ok and/or rewarded?
In the hustle of work, it’s easy to overlook celebrating milestones. Taking the time to acknowledge your wins is vital—it balances out the grind and reminds you of how far you’ve come. Even the smallest celebrations can make a big difference if they matter to you. On a practical level, ask yourself: Are you being compensated properly? Review your pricing from last year, and consider whether it’s time to raise your rates. You’re one year more experienced—your expertise has grown, and your rates should reflect that. Step it up a notch.
Being a creative and making a living from your work isn’t always straightforward, but I hope this start-of-the-year review equips you for a prosperous and successful 2025.