The start of 2008 is an opportunity. Everyday is an opportunity but there is something about the start of a year that is different – fresh perhaps. Maybe that’s because at the end of the year we look back thus the start we look forward?

Going into the New Year I am focusing on 2 things:
What I what to do, achieve and become in 2008
What I want to leave behind in 2007

I am asking these questions of 4 key areas; myself, family, community and professional lives.

Then I am looking at growth. What will that mean in 2008? Growth needs space and challenge.

Space to think differently and time to do differently. Space comes about when you let go of what is currently occupying it. Leaving things behind or accommodating them in a different way will create space and time.

Challenge comes from doing new stuff outside your comfort zone. Challenge needs a vision, goals and projects. Without challenge we become comfortable and eventually dissatisfied and stagnant. It doesn’t feel like dissatisfaction because we met it originally as that old friend of the emotions comfort and didn’t notice it change.

Former Harvard professor Jeffrey Rayport said:
‘Don’t squander the chances to make a difference in the world because of the comfort of inaction… Listen to your passions…And then do something truly great.’

If you are keen to do, be and achieve different things, here’s some help.

Madonna and Jump – first line:
There's only so much you can learn in one place, the more that I wait, the more time that I waste!
Watch it here and think about it


The Case of the Bosai Manager
Amazon says: In this world, the inclusive, intuitive and humane style of management will work, not the top-down approach - and here is an author uniquely placed to tell us how.
I say this book, recommended to me by one of my Indian students, is written by an experienced senior manager who 'gets it'. The book really has you challenging yourself as well as being very accessible.
See it here

Life Coaching for Dummies
I hate the name of these series however the books are a good reference. This one by Jeni Mumford is just a great practical, easy to understand and non prescriptive mentor for developing your goals.
See it here

Lots of other great reads are on our resources page – click here

I hope your year ahead gives you everything you plan for,

Oliver (and Thomas)