Let’s be honest: how many times have you kicked off January with a list of lofty resolutions, only to feel deflated by February? You’re not alone. The pressure to start the year with a bang can feel overwhelming, especially in an industry where the pace rarely lets up.
That’s why this year, we’re flipping the script.
At WiEA, we’re saying goodbye to the tired cycle of “New Year, new you”. Because you’re not a problem to fix or a project to overhaul. You’re already doing big things. What you need isn’t pressure, it’s perspective.
This January, instead of making resolutions, let’s focus on real intentions.
Why Resolutions Miss the Mark
Most resolutions fail because they’re built on guilt, not growth. They stem from what you didn’t do, didn’t achieve, or didn’t become. That’s no way to start a new chapter.
Intentions, on the other hand, are about alignment. They start with who you are now, what matters most to you, and how you want to feel in the months ahead. They’re flexible, human, and real. And they leave room for change, rest, and unexpected opportunities.
They also allow for something that resolutions rarely do: grace. If you’ve ever felt like you’ve failed before the end of January, you’ll know how demoralising that can be. Intentions give you space to pause, pivot, and progress in your own time.
So, if you’re ready to shake off the pressure and set yourself up with a more compassionate, motivating mindset for 2026, here’s how to start.
Reflect, Don’t Reinvent
Before you look forward, take a minute to look back. What moments made you proud last year? When did you feel most like yourself? Whose support lifted you up when things got tough?
We don’t reflect enough in this industry. There’s always a new quarter, a new KPI, a new challenge to chase. But slowing down to acknowledge what you’ve already done isn’t self-indulgent, it’s powerful.
Try asking yourself:
- What am I grateful for from 2025?
- What surprised me about my own resilience or resourcefulness?
- What’s one lesson I want to carry into the new year?
These reflections don’t need to be polished. They don’t even need to be shared. But they can serve as a strong emotional foundation for whatever comes next.
You don’t need a journal or a template. Just a quiet moment and a bit of honesty. If you need a sounding board, the WiEA Facebook group is always open. It’s full of real talk, gentle nudges, and people who get it. You might even find someone else asking the same questions you are.
Choose a Theme, not a To-Do List
Rather than setting rigid goals, consider choosing a theme for your year. One word or short phrase that anchors you, guides your decisions, and helps you stay true to what matters.
Some of our favourites from past members include:
- Courage
- Balance
- Growth
- Boundaries
- Ease
Unlike a resolution, a theme doesn’t judge you. It holds space for change. And it works whether you’re scaling a business or starting again. If your theme for 2026 is rest, that’s just as valid as ambition.
Themes can also help when you feel stuck or overwhelmed. They become a touchstone when choices feel hard. Ask yourself: “Does this move me towards or away from my theme?”
It’s a small practice, but over time, it builds powerful momentum.
Don’t Do It Alone
One of the biggest myths about New Year’s resolutions is that they require complete self-reliance. As if success means doing it all, all by yourself. But the truth? The most powerful changes happen in community.
Whether you’re looking to build your confidence, step into leadership, or simply feel more connected day-to-day, support is out there. And you don’t need to wait for the ‘perfect’ time to ask for it.
That’s why our training series exists. If you want to step into your power in 2026, The Power of You is a brilliant place to start. It’s designed to build self-awareness, connection, and confidence in a supportive, no-pressure setting.
Find out more about WiEA Leadership Training
And if you’re craving energy, inspiration and fresh ideas to kick-start your year, WiEA’s NOT A Conference 2026 is the event to circle in red. It’s not a typical industry day out. It’s a launchpad for whatever comes next.
You don’t have to take every step alone. In fact, you’re not supposed to. When you’re part of a community like WiEA, you realise how much power there is in walking forward together.
Let January Be Gentle
There is no deadline for transformation. If your inbox is overflowing and your to-do list is growing, it’s okay to start slow. January isn’t a race. You don’t need to fix your career, body, mindset or marketing strategy before the end of the month.
Let your intentions unfold. Let them be quiet. Let them shift and surprise you.
Some days will feel clear. Some won’t. That doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’re human.
Even a tiny mindset shift – deciding to take lunch away from your desk, saying no without guilt, choosing sleep over scrolling – is progress. Every small decision rooted in self-respect adds up.
This Year, Do It Your Way
There’s no one-size-fits-all version of success in estate agency, or in life. So don’t let a recycled list of resolutions set the tone for your year.
Choose real intentions. The kind that start from self-respect, not self-doubt.
The kind that make space for who you already are.
The kind that meet you where you’re at and walk with you to where you’re going.
And remember, you don’t have to figure it all out today.
Because this is your year.
Your pace.
Your path.
Your power.
Together, we thrive.
