Why January 1st Is Insignificant

Why Do We Place So Much Importance on New Year's Day?

Afterall, January 1 is just a series of letters followed by a number on a piece of paper. That's it. From a practical standpoint, there is no difference between January 1st, December 3rd, or July 22nd.


But what I see time and time again is a tendency to procrastinate on our goals until after the New Year because of its symbolic meaning as a fresh start, a chance to turn the page and write a new chapter for our life. 


But the truth is you can create a fresh start the moment you make a decision to change.


In fact, what if I told you one of my clients just hit their primary 2017 goal on December 29th, 2016?


When this client and I first started working together, she was struggling to move on after the death of her parents, her marriage was falling apart, and she was working for a company where she felt unappreciated and fearful she would be part of year-end layoffs.


As we uncovered what was keeping her stuck, she came to realize no matter how hard she tried, she could not control her partner's level of presence in their marriage. Nor could she control how many people were laid off at her company. She knew no amount of mourning could change the fact her parents had passed on.


However, there were things within her power that she COULD control immediately.


She could take responsibility for her own sense of fulfillment, rather than waiting for others to make her feel "enough." In late November, she set a big picture goal for 2017. Rather than wait to see if her company would give her a new contract at a job she wasn't happy in, she could actively look for an opportunity which allowed her to make a positive impact in her community. Awesome plan, right?


Not so fast.


As is the case when we cultivate an inspiring vision that pushes us out of our comfort zone and forces us to grow, we look for reasons to not take action. The self-doubt started to creep in...

• "But I don't have experience in the non-profit sector!"
• "What if I don't have the right skillset?"
• "What if I throw away a comfortable career and this new plan doesn't work?"

As she doubted her own intuition, the Universe threw her another curveball.


Right after her first interview, her partner was offered a new job with a huge company in the Northeast. My client and her spouse had already made the decision to move forward with a divorce, but this presented a challenge with their young children.


She felt like she needed to abandon her new plan and follow her spouse to the Northeast to make things easier for the kids.


This was a comfortable pattern for her. For most of her life, she had been a person who put her needs last. But what would happen if she made a new decision? What if she told her spouse she was staying put with their kids? What if she went through and interviewed for this new job that presented so much uncertainty, but also a massive opportunity to grow and contribute?


Rather than give away her power, she made new choices.


From a loving place, she offered to support her partner if she chose to move away for the new job, but made it clear she and the children would not be coming along for the ride.


She continued to feel fear about the new job opportunity, but still went for the second interview... and then the third.

This morning, I got an excited email saying she was offered her new dream job and starts in January.


She achieved her 2017 goal before the year began.


She didn't wait until after the first of the year to take action. She didn't wait to see if a layoff would force her to react. She stopped worrying about everyone else's needs and put the focus on herself. Not because she is selfish, but because she has a bigger gift to give and an impact to make. 
 

And you can do the same thing today.

What new decision are you putting off? Where are you settling to feel "ok" rather than alive, passionate, and truly fulfilled? Is it your career? Your relationship? Your health? What can you do TODAY to take action? 


I would suggest the first step is to schedule a FREE, 25-minute 2017 Breakthrough coaching call. During this powerful coaching experience, you and I will:

• Discuss your 2017 goals and aspirations. Let's direct your focus to what you WANT, rather than what you DON'T want.
• Find clarity on what's REALLY holding you back from getting it (Spoiler: It's probably not what you think it is.)
• Uncover the first, grounded action step to help you turn "stuck" into "success."

As my client case study proves, change happens quickly when you have a mentor, structure, and a system to help you create empowering new choices. Make a choice right now. Simply click here and schedule your time today.