A question to kick-start New Year success

Curly Question of the Week is still on holiday mode! Instead of focusing on questions to ask within a business context, I'll be sharing questions that will get conversations running as we enter the new year. Enjoy!

It's that time again. One year ends (some might say…thank goodness for that!) and another begins. The New Year offers an opportunity to reflect and set a new path or perhaps follow the same path just do it differently.

While this first question for 2025 looks simple, like all Curly Questions, it requires thoughtful consideration. It’s a great one to contemplate as you walk along the beach or take a long drive between holiday destinations.

When you ask your brain this question, one of two scenarios will play out. In the first scenario, your brain will protect what it knows and not let the question get a foothold. You’ll know this is happening when you find yourself quickly answering ‘I have no idea’ then dismissing the question or being annoyed with it and thinking to yourself ‘What’s the point?’

In the alternative scenario, your brain will welcome the question with curiosity and let it in for further consideration.

You’ll know this is happening when you suddenly experience an explosion of additional questions. This may feel a bit overwhelming at first. Don’t worry. It’s simply your brain switching out of ‘standby mode’ and powering up its grey matter.

Note that this week’s question has been carefully worded. It is not asking you "What should 2025 mean for me?" or “What does 2025 mean for me?” Both versions require you to make a judgement and will therefore feel unfinished if you don’t come up with a definitive answer.

It’s not that these are ‘bad’ questions. It’s just that they are less useful if you ask them too early in your thinking process. It’s kind of like attending a play when you’ve missed the first act. It’s not that the second act is bad, it just doesn’t make as much sense without the first.

The key word in this week’s question is 'could'. It doesn’t demand a clear answer and therefore provides the opportunity to play with possibilities.

So, here's a simple thought experiment to try (even if you’re still on holidays - or is still transitioning!).

Ask yourself this week’s question and dedicate five minutes to thinking about it. How does your brain respond? What other questions pop into your head? Try picking just one of them and see where your thoughts take you. At the end of five minutes, ask yourself 'What did I notice?' and 'What insights, ideas or observations do I want to hold onto?"

I hope that your 2025 is filled with a sense of optimism and excitement and I look forward to us taking many more journeys together. Happy New Year!

About Kate Christiansen

Kate works with leaders and teams who need to master mission-critical moments of transition.

Whether it's a new executive role, a new leadership team, a?once-in-a-decade strategic opportunity or time to change course completely, Kate's deep expertise and unconventional approach is what you need to succeed.

Known for her energy, warmth and pragmatism, Kate has a remarkable ability to trigger new thinking and find pathways through even the most complex situations. Using her unique approach ‘The Moment Method?’, Kate empowers people and organisations to be unstoppable by unlocking their ability to activate, navigate and accelerate the moments that matter?by unleashing the power of questions.

Kate is also the award-winning author of two books and a qualified Company Director with the London Institute of Directors.

Learn more about Kate.

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