Usually I love a fresh start: whether it is Monday morning, the start of a school term, Spring, New Year’s Day or just the start of a meeting. So much potential. I vividly remember my high school soccer coach’s response after I made some excuse for my poor performance that day about having a bad week. He reasoned: “You can’t have a bad week or a bad day. You’re always starting again, every hour. Practice has only just started, so it’s up to you to make it a good one.” Perhaps my memory is slightly hazy after 30+ years and there’s a chance that’s not an exact quote, but that is the perspective I walked away with and it’s stuck with me.

Despite that, on New Year’s Eve I found myself lethargic and uninterested at the thought of a fresh start. Even resentful, I was filled with thoughts like: “I have to start over AGAIN. Ugh. I’ve been here before. I keep having to pick myself back up over and over”.

I tend to keep myself looking ahead, building on strengths, focusing on what I want to create and give energy to. But this time, when my thoughts turned in that direction, I wanted to curl up and go to sleep.

Then I had a conversation with my own coach.

“If you want something to change, something needs to change”

My coach challenged me to take 5 minutes to consider: “What were you dissatisfied with last year? Write down 3 Values that need more attention this year.” I had to come up with something. I couldn’t just sit there. Five minutes is a long time if you have nothing to do. And my coach will totally see through it and call me on it if I give a B******t answer.

An hour later, I walked away with three values-based themes to guide my quarter, clear next steps and a follow-up in a month to keep me accountable. My biggest take-away is the burst of energy and the feeling of accomplishment I’ve had since last week. I look forward to celebrating some already tangible results of many actions.

Let me know if you also need help creating some New Year’s energy and momentum. Book your time and space here:

https://calendly.com/patriciawellaheadcoaching

Oh, and when you do, I’ll explain what the deal is with the the rug & blocks in the office.