I spent the holiday season as I usually do, in England with my parents.

For the first time in a few years, I was there solo. Work obligations kept my husband and our sons in the US, but when the parents in question are +/-80 years old, the holiday trip is a “non-negotiable” in our year. It was great to be with my family of origin and it's wonderful to be back "home" with the family I've built. This newlsetter is shaped, in quiet ways, by my time away.

I return to my desk today genuinely ready for the year ahead. That is, at least in part, due to intentionally closing the previous year and allowing for rest. Before traveling, I hosted two end-of-year workshops, an annual tradition for Resolute. The first workshop was a full-day program for our clients who know my work well; the second, a half-day program for our larger community. The decision to separate the formats was a good one. The community workshop has grown steadily over the years - we closed registration at 40 and had a waitlist!

Both programs were fast paced and hands on. We looked back over the previous year to see what we could learn, journaled, drew (an activity loved by some and loathed by others!), played with decadent pastel crayons, used washi tape, and engaged in purposeful - though conference room appropriate - destruction, as we set direction for the year ahead. There was a lot of laughter, a few tears, and real joy in the room. These sessions fill my cup and will be back in 2026.

This first newsletter of the new year offers a quick start: 5 ideas to move you into 2026 with purpose. Each one is paired with a resource and a (true) example of how I’m implementing it myself. I'd love to know which ones resonated with you, which ones you actually used, and what you noticed. Please, drop me a line and let me know.

Best wishes for the year ahead,

Joanna Kozlowski | Founder | Resolute Consulting

New Year Quick Start

Not every one of these ideas will appeal to you! Choose what serves you, and leave the rest behind. Check in on your resistance, though: is this an idea that truly does not serve you, or one that might help but you just don't want to do? Not all resistance is equal.

1. Connect to your Future Self. What behaviors could you adopt now to make your Future Self’s life easier? When we imagine our future selves, we are more likely to make choices that are kind to them! For me, regard for "future Joanna" means I am more likely to intentionally close out my day, leaving a tidy desk and clear priorities for the next morning, so "she" has an easier start.
2. Set a strong foundation. What are the prerequisites for personal and professional success this year? Many of these don't change year to year (my Sunday night look ahead is a constant) but a new year may mean a new focus (this year, sleep is a priority for me). What resources do you need to allocate to support your own foundation? Time, money, energy, stakeholder support, skills building... whatever may be necessary. To support my sleep, I am committing to no tech in the bedroom and my long-suffering night-owl husband has adapted his sleep schedule (thank you, Stefan).
3. Schedule your non-negotiables. Just like my visit to my parents, there are things we prioritize and commit to. Whether a ten-day travel plan or an hour at the gym, family dinner each week or professional development, place the rocks before the gravel (vintage video alert!). This does not have to mean inflexibility: my example in 2026 is deep work (three hours/week, scheduled as two times 90-minutes) and these slots are pre-scheduled for Fridays. If other opportunities come up, those calendar blocks are easily moved to another slot in the week. The work is non-negotiable, but when it’s done can be shifted.
4. Refuel before the tank is empty. If my husband has read this far, he is laughing right now. In real life, he fills the tank at about 150 miles range remaining… I fill the tank when the light comes on (and sometimes when the light starts to flash). This is often true in life as well as in driving! Rest and restoration are not just sleep. In 2026 I am expanding my rest toolbox: reading more fiction and exploring new creative pursuits (I was given a set of watercolors for Christmas!)
5. Know the difference between busy and productive. In a world of distractions and habitual busyness, it takes intentionality to spend time in ways that move you forward - personally and professionally. I’ve spent time thinking about my goals for the year and broken those down into quarterly milestones. Then - and this is the humbling part - I've recalibrated my goals once I’ve scheduled the time it will take to meet them. One of those 2026 productive goals for me? Sending a newsletter more frequently - writing time is in some of those deep work slots.

Upcoming Programming

• Associations: In 2026, we anticipate working with CREW, SMPS, and the IIDA (so far!) If you're a professional association leader, volunteer, or program coordinator, let's talk about how Resolute's programming can serve your members.
• Private clients: This year, we'll be supporting leadership retreats, new leader development, team resets, and cohort team building. We have capacity for off-site engagements from March and love the brainstorming part of project planning - book a call here.
• Speaking engagements: Have a conference, panel, or session where you think I'd be good fit? Let me know. We're scheduling commitments now and I’d love to hear where you'd like to see Resolute in the room.

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