It’s January 5th. Happy New Year! (Please stop wishing people after tomorrow).

Some people are sprinting already.
Some people are still opening emails like it’s a suggestion, not a request.
Both are… ambitious.

Before the plans, the goals, the big-energy declarations on LinkedIn, do a quick check-in. Not with your vision board. With your shoes.

Because running into a new year with the same dodgy systems, loose boundaries, and “we’ll deal with it later” habits is how people mysteriously burn out by Valentine’s Day - which is basically Ramadan this year.

This memo really isn’t about motivation. It’s about friction.

So instead of adding more of it, try this quick sort:
What stays.
The things that actually worked. Not the things you say worked.
What goes.
The stuff you keep doing because “that’s how we’ve always done it” (a dangerous sentence, by the way).
What gets sharper.
Your standards. Your decisions. Your cheddar. Your patience for unnecessary drama; internal or otherwise.

No big announcements needed. No public declarations. No “watch this space” energy.

Just quieter intent. Better shoes. Fewer blisters.
The sprint will come. For now, lace up properly.

M.

PS: If you enjoy reading my weekly rants, ask your fellow smarties to subscribe using the link below :)

xx

Manuja

Not for everyone. Never was.