Do You Get Excited for Return to Work at the New Year?

If you were fortunate enough to enjoy time off for the holidays, how are you feeling about returning to work?

As I pondered this question, I was pleased to feel giddy excitement.  It feels similar to that Eve before opening presents and spending time with family and celebratory meals. But why? 

No more long walks, basking in the winter sunshine, goofing off in the craft closet, reading books, cooking, baking, doing-whatever-I want. Back to the rituals of long hours at the computer, back-and-forth with clients and potential clients, paperwork, conferences, and building and delivering leadership content.

One - it's because I enjoy what I do.

Yet even when you enjoy what you do, you can feel tedium with some tasks and processes.

I think the real reason I feel a bit of excitement is that I know there are so-many-things-to-try and learn.

I wrote about trying new things, learning, even failing and how important it is to our personal development and our leadership. Read it here  
I read tons of books, attended a professional development program, listened to podcasts, viewed courses, workshops, webinars. There's videos about these for encouragement, motivation and just to share. And to remind you to pause and reflect on your progress.

NewThing25 Part I  tells you more about how trying new things is important to leadership. I share more detail about what I tried professionally in 2025.

What Else Did You Try This Year? (NewThings25 Part II) this video shares personal attempts to explore and learn. Comically, it seems that many people, more than usual, took time to notice this one, primarily because when I shared the idea via LinkedIn, I posted pictures of food and wine. That seemed to grab people's attention. So in 2026, we may make Boss at the Helm into a cooking channel. (just kidding)

I take pride in all of this - it's living and learning. And I hope you'll make your own goals and bucket lists. Track what you try, what you stumble into and how it goes. Decide what you want to release, to change, to improve and go after it. The journey of it, the process is what makes a difference to you and enables you to be a Boss, to use your power for the good of yourself and those around you.

Be well in 2026. Try new things. Enjoy the process. Get excited about what you'll try, do, learn and who'll you'll become.