Make Your 2021 Great!

Cathie Leimbach • January 7, 2021

One of the outcomes of 2020 for many of us was the opportunity to hit the “pause” button temporarily. It gave us some space to contemplate what worked and what didn’t pre-Covid. Yet, saying goodbye to 2020 hasn’t changed day-to-day life for most of us.

Saying hello to 2021 and embracing the New Year lets us write our own story for the next 12 months. The one thing we can all do is control how we react to the environment within which we work and live. A shift in mindset and some planning can provide an impetus to remain more positive and energized. 


We can decide to focus on the things that matter to us. What would you like to change about your life and your work? And what are a few actions you can take to create that change? The good news is that it isn’t complicated. You can create a simple plan in less than an hour. Selecting the high impact actions to take consistently will yield impactful results.


We’ve all fallen into the trap of New Year’s resolutions. Setting ourselves up for failure because the goals and habits we have identified are not sustainable. It isn’t easy to develop new habits.  We are most successful at achieving them when we work on no more than three areas of improvement and start small.


Here are some ways to get started:

  • Start with the end in mind. Identify what you really want to achieve and how you will get there. 
  • Decide what measures you will have in place to track progress. For example, one of my goals is business growth in 2021. I am monitoring progress by tracking the strategies I am using. And, adjusting if what I am doing is not working.
  • If you have a long list, pick the three most important or most doable ones to work on first.
  • State your desired result in each area.
  • Commit to 2 or 3 actions you will take every day or week towards achieving your desired result.
  • Track your progress daily or weekly.
  • Write down a reward that will motivate you to stay focused but won’t break the bank.


Here is an example from my 2021 action plan. I am focused on experiencing stronger connections with friends, family, and professional contacts. My overall intent is to feel more satisfied with my interpersonal relationships, so my measure will track my level of satisfaction each month.  Here is the breakdown of the actions:

  • Reach out to an extended family member, friend, neighbor, or community member every day.
  • Connect with two professional contacts weekly to stay in touch.
  • Ask how I can help and look for ways to make a positive impact.


I’ve already connected with several people this week and discovered ways to have physically distanced catchup conversations on the porch or during walks. Having phone conversations with my sister and my aunts and uncles during other walks helped me feel connected to my family. A Zoom call (yes, another one) with a business contact helped me catch up on business and personal news.

My satisfaction with relationships and connections has already risen. What a great reward for taking some very do-able actions consistently.


What parts of your work or personal life would you like to change in 2021? I encourage you not to stay stuck in wishing mode. Develop a goal and action step plan and implement it. Take control of your life and create your preferred future!


I would love to hear about the goals you set for 2021 and your progress towards achieving them!



If you wonder how your family or workplace could develop a plan for 2021, email me, and I will send you a group goal setting process that you can accomplish in an hour. If you might like someone to facilitate the development of a basic 2021 plan for your organization, set an appointment for us to talk. 

Looking Ahead to a Fruitful 2026

By Cathie Leimbach • December 30, 2025
As the New Year approaches, it’s a natural time to look forward and ask what you want the next chapter to bring. One simple way to reflect to ask yourself three questions to create a stronger year ahead, what should you: Stop?, Continue?, and Start? Stop focusing energy on habits, meetings, or expectations that no longer serve you or your team. This might mean letting go of outdated processes, unnecessary urgency, or ways of working that drain momentum without adding value. Continue the practices that helped you gain traction this year. Think about what worked—perhaps clear communication, strong collaboration, consistent follow-through, or time spent developing people. These are the behaviors worth protecting and reinforcing. Start being intentional about what will move you forward in 2026. This could include setting clearer priorities, investing in leadership development, building healthier team rhythms, or creating space for innovation and growth. Taking time to reflect now helps you enter the New Year with purpose rather than pressure. Small, thoughtful shifts can create meaningful impact over time. Ready to turn reflection into action?  👉 View our Stop • Continue • Start Worksheet for a simple, practical way to reset priorities, build on what’s working, and step into 2026 with clarity and momentum.

Take a Moment for Joy

By Cathie Leimbach • December 23, 2025
As the year comes to a close, it’s worth pausing to ask a simple question: What brought you joy this year at work and in life? Joy doesn’t always arrive in big, headline moments. Often, it shows up quietly—in meaningful conversations, shared laughter, progress made, lessons learned, or the steady presence of people who support us. Sometimes joy is found in growth, sometimes in rest, and sometimes in simply getting through a challenging season with resilience and grace. Take a few minutes to reflect. What moments made you smile? When did you feel most connected? For what are you grateful? This reflection isn’t about ignoring the hard parts of the year. It’s about honoring the bright spots that sustained you through them. Recognizing joy helps us close the year with perspective and open the next one with hope. As the holidays approach, give yourself permission to slow down, savor meaningful moments, and share joy with others—through kindness, gratitude, and presence.  May this season be filled with moments that lift your spirit, and may you carry that joy with you into the year ahead. 👉 Take a moment to pause this season—view the Reflecting on Joy one-pager and reflect on what brought meaning to your work and life this year. Wishing you a truly joy-filled Christmas season .