As the Lunar New Year begins — and we enter the Year of the Horse — there’s a powerful theme that shows up across cultures: Movement, Momentum and Forward!
And honestly, it’s a useful lens for anyone thinking about a fresh start right now.
Whether you’re early in your career, mid-pivot, approaching retirement, or already thinking about your “next chapter” (something we see often in lifelong learning spaces like Osher), this time of year is a natural checkpoint to pause and ask:
Am I building my life with intention — or just maintaining it?
A Different Way to Think About a “Fresh Start”
We usually think of fresh starts as emotional:
- New year resolutions
- Big life decisions
- Career changes
- Relationship resets
- Health goals
But what if you thought about a fresh start the same way an organization thinks about opening a new fiscal year?
Not just:
What do I want to do differently?
But:
What should I invest in differently?
If you think of yourself as your own long-term project — or even your own enterprise — then this is a moment to reassess things like:
- Skills you’re building (or not building)
- Networks you’re growing (or outgrowing)
- Habits that are compounding in your favor
- Stories you’re telling about your own identity and capabilities
A Simple “Year of the Horse” Check-In
If you’re looking for a practical way to mark this reset, here are four prompts worth considering:
1. What’s one skill that would meaningfully increase your opportunities this year?
AI literacy? Public speaking? Data analysis? A second language?
Pick one. Make measurable progress in the next 90 days.
2. What’s one thing that might be holding back your growth?
This could be an outdated credential, a time-consuming habit, or even a mindset.
Growth often requires subtraction before addition.
3. Who do you need to connect with this year?
Most opportunities come through people — not job boards.
Is there a community, mentor, or professional circle aligned with where you’re headed?
4. What’s one narrative about yourself that needs updating?
“I’m not technical.”
“I’m too late to start.”
“I’m just not a leader.”
Those stories shape decisions — which shape outcomes.
The Bigger Idea
The Year of the Horse is traditionally associated with drive and endurance.
But in a modern context, maybe it’s a reminder that standing still is rarely a neutral act.
Careers evolve.
Industries change.
Technologies accelerate.
Life phases shift.
Sometimes a fresh start isn’t about changing everything — it’s about choosing one direction and starting to move again. Curious how others are approaching this year as a reset? What’s one thing you’re intentionally investing in over the next few months?