The new year has arrived, the Xmas tree is packed away, and the morning coffee queues are back to full throttle.
It’s my first Friday morning post of 2025. We’re all well and truly in work mode.
It’s good to be back.
Is it, though?
January is a funny month. After weeks of family gatherings, overeating, and that rare luxury of unstructured time, returning to routine can feel both comforting and unsettling. There’s a collective energy in the air – a mix of optimism and hesitation. It can also be a time when we start to reflect. Particularly about our jobs.
The start of each year has a funny way of making us look at our work lives with fresh eyes. It’s as if the calendar flip whispers, “How’s this going for you?” It nudges us to ask those big questions:
👉 Am I happy in this role?
👉 Am I doing work that matters to me?
👉 Where is my career heading?
For some, these questions bring reassurance – maybe even excitement. But for others, they stir up an uncomfortable itch to do something different. To make a change. The truth is, no matter how much we enjoy – or tolerate – our jobs, January tends to highlight any cracks we’ve been ignoring.
These first few weeks back often feel like a honeymoon period. The office buzzes with enthusiasm: new goals, fresh ideas, and a promise to do things better this year. But let’s be honest – by February, old habits and ongoing challenges can creep back in.
The key? Use this fresh-start energy wisely. The momentum of a new year is powerful, but it needs direction. Feeling uncertain? That’s your cue to take stock and plan your next move. And if you manage a team, don’t stop at self-reflection – have these conversations with your staff, too. It’s a gift that benefits everyone.
Not every reflection needs to result in a big career shift. Sometimes it’s about tweaking what you already have. These three simple but powerful questions can help guide your thinking:
1. What energises me at work?
Identify the tasks or projects that light you up, the ones you genuinely enjoy. Can you do more of those this year?
2. What drains me?
Be honest about what’s not working. Is it fixable? If not, how can you reduce its impact?
3. What’s my Edge?
What makes you stand out? How can you leverage your unique strengths in 2025?
So, is it good to be back? That depends. It’s good to reconnect with colleagues, dive into meaningful work, and chase new opportunities. But if the return feels uncomfortable, even daunting, that’s okay too. You’re not alone.
Use these early weeks to figure out where you are and where you want to go. Even small, intentional changes can make a world of difference by the time December rolls around again. A better work life in 2025? That’s a gift even Santa would be proud of.
