January Is My Downtime (and That's On Purpose)
from the founder of careercoaching.ie
For most people, January is something to endure.
It’s dark.
Everyone is broke.
The excitement is over.
For me, it’s the opposite.
After the hectic build-up to Christmas, recovering from the holidays themselves, keeping two kids entertained, and squeezing every dry day out of the weather, January is when things finally slow down. My nervous system exhales. There’s less noise, less expectation, more space.
And I’ve learned not to rush past that.
A Different Way to Use January
A few years ago, I made a rule:
I don’t set new goals until after my birthday.
My birthday is in January, and instead of starting the year in overdrive, I use this month to reflect, organise, and gently plan. No big declarations. No forcing clarity.
I know I’m lucky to work for myself and have flexibility. But the mindset isn’t about taking time off - it’s about how you relate to this quieter part of the year, even if you’re already back at work.
Before You Set Goals, Close a Few Loops
January advice usually focuses on adding:
new goals, new habits, new ambition.
But career clarity often comes from subtracting.
Instead of asking “What do I want this year?”, try this:
What am I complete with?
Not what you’re quitting.
Not what you need to fix.
Just what no longer fits the version of you now.
A way of working that keeps you constantly “on”.
A role you’ve outgrown but haven’t named.
A definition of success that once mattered but doesn’t anymore.
Naming this doesn’t require action - only honesty.
A Simple January Reset
Even if you’re back at work, this month can still be useful.
Notice what’s quietly draining your energy and what still gives it
Close open loops and half-finished things
Create one small piece of space: a boundary, a conversation, an expectation you let go of
You don’t need a plan yet.
You just need room.
A Gentler Start
If January feels flat or uninspiring, you’re not behind.
You may simply be in a necessary pause - the kind that allows you to hear yourself again before deciding what’s next.
So before you rush to build momentum, consider this:
What if January isn’t for pushing forward, but for creating space?
That’s the work of The Career Space.
Not fixing.
Not forcing.
But letting the next chapter emerge in its own time.