How to Lead with Intention at the Start of the Year

When I started speaking full-time, people had a lot of opinions about what I should do next. You should—

• write a book

• build an online course

• get a business coaching certification

• do all three—at the same time—yesterday.

It was all well-intentioned advice, but if I followed every “you should,” I would have ended up like that poor squirrel who can’t commit to a direction—darting back and forth in the middle of the road while a two-ton SUV barrels down on it. And we all know how that story ends.

Instead, I made a decision: Stay the course.

I chose to focus on what I do best—delivering high-impact keynotes and workshops that challenge business professionals to communicate more clearly, lead more confidently, and ultimately grow their organizations. Not everything had to happen now. Not every idea deserved immediate action.

That choice saved me from distraction—and a lot of unnecessary stress.

And that’s exactly what the start of a new year invites: clarity.

Strong leaders don’t just react to January’s surge of energy and ambition. They decide—intentionally—what deserves their focus before the noise takes over.

Here’s how to lead with intention as the year begins:

• Name one priority that truly matters. Be specific about what you want to achieve and the activity you plan to do.

• Identify what can wait. Not everything is urgent, even if it is exciting. Give yourself permission to say “not yet” without guilt. Delayed does not mean denied—it means disciplined.

• Communicate expectations early. Let your team know what matters most right now. When priorities are clear, people can align their time, energy, and decisions without guessing—or spinning like that squirrel in traffic.

A new year doesn’t require more motion. It requires more intention.

Choose your direction before distractions choose it for you.