Happy New Year! Making plans for the year ahead

Happy New Year from the Institute team! We’re excited to bring you a whole year of professional development and support in 2025. We know that as we embark upon this brand-new year many of you will take the opportunity to outline some new year’s resolutions. This custom can feel more like an expectation – a promise that we feel obliged to make with ourselves often resulting in placing a yearlong unnecessary pressure on ourselves. So, as an alternative to making new year’s resolutions, we’re suggesting using the brand-new year as an opportunity to simply think about making plans for change.

Here's some top tips for planning ahead into the new year…

1. Be realistic

It can be easy to get carried away with high enthusiasm for a year of radical change but it’s important to keep scale in mind and make choices that are reasonable and achievable. Not only does this support you to navigate your goals and plans, but avoids being set up for failure from a goal that is, in reality, impossible to achieve effectively.

2. Think big, act small

We should all aim high with aspirations that motivate our passion and keep us engaged. But, when it comes to putting action into place, it can be much more beneficial to take small steps. Marginal gains involve making small changes to your daily life that, over time, accumulate to a big change. Take for example the simple habit of saving 50p a day. It doesn’t sound like much money, but by doing this every single day, by this time next year you , will have accumulated over £180!

3. Stay positive when challenges arise

Reflect on the past year - how much of 2024 had you predicted to happen? Whether it be a fortunate surprise or unexpected hurdle, we know that life is not planned out to the minute. It’s important to stay resilient to challenges that the new year might bring and keep as much focus as possible on the positive things going on around you. Recognise that in doing so you are taking action and working towards a much greater goal.

Looking ahead

Whether your plans for change aim to work towards achieving a a personal goal or professional target, the Institute of Early Years Education is here to support your development. As well as immersing in our member resources and supportive forum community, why not take a closer look at our Healthy Lifestyles platform, included in your membership, and take full advantage of the many inspiring courses, activities and resources in the new year?