Happy new year! January is whizzing by. How are your resolutions going, or are they already gone? If you are struggling, here’s a practice that has worked for me since 1995. It’s hard to believe I am celebrating my 21st year of having an Annual Theme.
Instead of creating a list of miracle makeovers, I choose a singular focus for each year, knowing there’s time for it to take root. In other words, time will work for me instead of against me. A year-long theme increases the chances of embedding new habits that will stick for good.
In two decades of practicing my 365-day ritual, some years have been monumental, some more subtle. Yet each year unfolds in its own way, with each theme influencing my behavior, making life more productive and meaningful. A few years have been literally life-changing.
I always make a poster reflecting my theme as a daily reminder (see below). Most often, the theme is one word. Examples include Celebration, Enhancement, Transition and Exploration. Two years ago, for the first time, my theme was a question: What if? and it yielded a few sweet surprises. Some years yield significant changes, others plant seeds for the future.
For the first time ever, in 2025 I faced some serious health issues needing to be managed for the rest of my life rather than the“heal and move on” situations of the past. I’ve chosen Challenge as this year’s theme, planning to meet the next twelve months with courage, intelligence, wisdom, and wit. I have adequate time to practice these skills and have already begun.
Focusing on a theme that spans an entire year influences the decisions and directions you take instead of letting things happen randomly. The new year is just beginning, it’s not too late to experiment. I encourage you to explore what you might accomplish by embracing this rewarding practice and see what a difference it makes for you.
© 2026. Leslie Charles, Speech Coach, Speaker, Author, Funeral-Life Celebrant. leslie@lesliecharles.com