The start of the year is the ideal moment to set goals, get excited, and move toward a clear destination. Yet how do you prevent those “good resolutions” from turning into empty slogans? A little preparation and a handful of warm-up exercises can make all the difference.
In coaching, we care as much about tracking goals as about defining them. You probably know the S.M.A.R.T. framework (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound). Still, even a SMART goal can stall if you ignore personal drivers such as motivation or self-confidence. Below are four angles—and quick exercises—to kick off the year. Adapt them to your style and context, and may they give you fresh momentum!
- Clarify why your goal matters
- Define success indicators
- Craft your career vision
- Master & showcase daily work
1 | Clarify why your goal matters
An objective becomes actionable only when linked both to a plan and to a deep motivation. Rather than asking “Why do I have to reach this?” try: “In what way is this important to me?”—a question that reconnects you to personal energy. The aim is to spark a genuine want rather than obey an external “must.”
2 | Define success indicators
You already know what you want; now specify the checkpoint that will tell you it is done. Suppose your goal is to “improve workplace communication.” At which concrete point will you recognise success? Without metrics you cannot track progress or celebrate wins. Break a daunting goal into stages and assign tangible indicators to each (numbers, quality standards, deadlines). This keeps motivation high and allows course correction.
3 | Craft your career vision
Keep a living CV. Updating your résumé is not necessarily a sign you plan to quit; it works as a mirror.
Step 1 – Year-end review
- Which achievements from last year make you proud?
- What factors—internal or external—helped you succeed?
- What techniques or insights will you reuse this year?
- Any frustrations you want to tackle differently?
- Who or what are you grateful for? What inspiration follows?
Read your current CV. What should be highlighted or rewritten?
Step 2 – Write a “future CV”
Project yourself three years ahead:
- What does an ideal life look like—career, wellbeing, relationships?
- What role do you hold—sector, culture, responsibilities, mastery?
Draft a conventional résumé as if you already were that person. The aim is not market validation but clarity: gaps, skills to build, networks to grow.
Step 3 – Annual target
Compare present and future CVs. Identify what truly excites you and pinpoint three priorities for the next 12 months:
- Professional results (KPIs, quality, efficiency…)
- Key experiences (e.g. upward management, multicultural team)
- Skill growth (course, mentor, self-study)
Update your résumé and LinkedIn profile accordingly—anticipate opportunities before they knock.
Free resource: 10-Minute LinkedIn Checklist—download and polish your profile fast.
4 | Master & showcase daily work
Examine your job scope
| Responsibilities | Skills & knowledge | Excellence criteria | Relationship dimension |
|---|---|---|---|
| … | … | … | … |
Role-play upper management. First, imagine you are the grand-boss (N+2): highlight what he would care about. Add a note of advice. Then repeat as your direct manager (N+1). Finally, return to yourself and review the contrasted insights. Does this change how you intend to showcase your work or adjust priorities?
Set a personal development plan
Knowing leadership expectations, target the capabilities to build in 2024. Which resources—training, mentoring, coaching—will accelerate you?
Need extra lift?
A professional coach can help dismantle roadblocks and optimise your growth strategy through a structured, time-bound process focused on measurable outcomes. Curious? Let’s talk.
Book a free 40-minute discovery session to:
- Diagnose your current dynamics
- Select the coaching format that fits
- Clarify top-priority objectives
- Spot blind spots and open fresh avenues
- Explore my methods and values