So, we’re sick (again) of hearing about what Mariah may or may not want for Christmas and Noddy Holder’s rasping voice can be parked for another year.

What now for 2026?

As you were busy ticking off the to-do list in December, were you excited about January and what is has to offer? Or were you looking at an ever-burgeoning calendar of meetings with horror, while munching Celebrations for breakfast? (No judgement here).

As you were looking forward to the festive break, were you slouching towards the finish line wondering what happened to your dreams of being a (delete where appropriate) rock-star / artist / designer / baker / pottery maker / chef / international-person-of-mystery?

So what’s that telling you?

If it feels like you’re white-knuckling it to retirement, it’s time to take a big step back and ask yourself what you want the next x-years of working life to be.

A recent UK YouGov poll showed that only 17% of British workers claim to love their job. Wow. Stark stats. Various reasons are suggested for this – work-life balance. Stress. Management. Money. Holidays. But for some it might just be they haven’t found the thing they’re going to love…yet.

If this is ringing some bells for you, here are some questions to help you find calm direction and take some action. Beware - the answers might surprise you.

• #1 Forget reality for a moment. What’s the dream? Allow yourself to think freely without what you perceive to be constraints like finances or family commitments. Ask yourself: what do you care about? What motivates you? Reflect on that classic old phrase – turn the hobby you love into your job. And if you don’t think that’s possible – talk to my friend who went from being a serious academic to a comedy writer and performer.

• #2 What would it take? Now jump back into reality. Realistically how would you make that happen? What would you need to prove you can do? How can you develop those skills, grow that talent or gain that experience?

• #3 Is it what you think? What research could you do or who could you talk to see if it really would be what you think it is? Treading the boards may shine bright as an idea to some. But waiting in the wings of a half-empty show on a wet Wednesday in Margate may quickly lose its glow.

• #4 Who can help you? You might think you need to make this happen alone. Not so. Who are the energy-bringers? The wise-counsel givers? Or the leg-up providers – who could help turn your dream into a reality?

You may be living the professional dream already, in which case I’m flippin’ delighted for you.

But if you’re not, why not?

If you want to start next year with a completely new outlook, a new plan, a new purpose – this year is where you start to make that magic happen. It’s as simple as asking yourself some probing questions and seeing where the answers honestly take you.

After all – however many years you have before retirement, let’s make them count!