Already frustrated hearing Christmas chat? Let’s talk about New Year instead.

It’s only August, yet the word Christmas has already started to creep into conversations. Christmas party bookings are being encouraged and Christmas menus are all ready to download for your festive pre-orders and it feels like before long, we’ll be hearing festive jingles in the background of our everyday lives.

For many people, me included, the idea of Christmas being mentioned this early feels premature. But it has got me thinking about the other milestone that sits just after it, the New Year.

And more specifically, resolutions. Is it ever too early to start thinking about what we want to achieve, or the goals, ambitions or intentions we want to carry into the next year?

Every January, millions of people set resolutions, only for most of them to fizzle out within weeks. Research has consistently shown that the majority of resolutions don’t last. In fact, the second Tuesday in January has been dubbed Quitter’s Day as, based on analysis of data from fitness platform Strava, it's the point at which most people have already abandoned their New Year’s resolutions.

The reasons that we don't always stick to our resolutions vary: goals are too vague, too ambitious or too disconnected from day-to-day reality. And most importantly, people tend to expect change overnight, without laying the groundwork. Setting big goals on 1 January, without preparation or support often sets us up to fail.

The truth is, lasting change rarely comes from a single moment of determination. It’s built through preparation, practice and a deeper understanding of why you want to make a change and what is, and maybe has been, stopping you.

By starting in August (or September, October, November…), you give yourself space to:

• Clarify what you really want for yourself in 2026, not just what sounds good in the New Year’s buzz, or bubbles.

• Experiment with small changes and build habits gradually.

• Reflect on what has or hasn’t worked in the past.

• Identify and work through barriers like limiting beliefs, self-doubt, overwhelm or unclear priorities before January comes around.

That way, by laying the foundations over the next few months, when the New Year arrives you'll have more clarity and momentum and be more ready to focus on achieving your goals with confidence.

This is where coaching comes in. Coaching isn’t about a coach handing you a ready-made plan. It’s about creating a space for you to pause, reflect and uncover what’s important to you. Working with a coach you can:

• Explore your goals and intentions for 2026, whether they’re professional, personal, or a blend of both.

• Identify patterns or behaviours that may have held you back in the past.

• Build practical strategies and small, achievable steps you can start now.

• Keep momentum going with accountability and encouragement.

So instead of waiting until the clock strikes midnight on 31 December, what if you gave yourself a head start? Imagine stepping into 2026 already feeling prepared, confident, and clear on where you’re heading. Instead of making resolutions in the haze of January, you’d already be living your intentions.

If this sounds like something you’d like to explore, now is the perfect time to begin. Book a free discovery call, and let’s talk about how coaching could help you set the stage for a happy 2026, starting today.