Don’t be fooled into thinking that everyone else has it sussed – it’s simply not the case. Our careers often take several twists and turns along the way.

What has given me the most pleasure over the years has been helping the many who get stuck at some point in their career journey and are unable to figure out what comes next. They just know that they want more. More happiness, more success and more fulfilment their life and career.

I’d say that 2023 has been a particularly tough year for many, but as we near the end of it, we start to look forward again, hopeful that next year will be better.

Maybe the economy will look up, maybe we’ll win the lottery or maybe we’ll get that promotion we think we deserve – but then again, why wait for those things to change in order to be happy? Why not choose to focus on the one thing we do have control over – ourselves?

In my view, happiness comes from the inside out, and taking time to figure out who you are, what you love to do, what you’re really good at, and what’s currently holding you back from achieving your potential. I can teach you all the tips and tricks to writing a great CV or how to ace your interview, but in my experience it all starts with looking inward, with a bit of self-discovery (however painful that may be!) and simply getting to know yourself better. I know that may all sound a bit woo-woo, but if you want to start 2024 with a spring in your step, trust me – it works!

I’ve met so many people over the years who have felt stuck and unsure of the next move. In fact, at some stage, almost everyone encounters a roadblock and has to find a new way through. I’ve been there. Maybe you’re there now?  Lacking in enthusiasm, feeling unchallenged, Sunday night dread, no recognition… the list goes on. If you are experiencing some or any of these, it’s time to take action. Feeling happy and fulfilled in our everyday work, in whatever form that takes, is so important for our health and well-being.

For me, post-COVID, I could see that it was time for some brave decisions. It took me a while to get there, but the upside was that it provided me with the content of my book (which I am coming to!). After a fair amount of soul searching, I appointed an MD at Denholm Associates, moved from CEO to Executive Chair, and launched my new venture – a coaching, mentoring, and consulting business with a vision to help make “work better for everyone” because it can be, it should be, and I think we all deserve to unlock our potential and do fulfilling work. And as employers, if we can create engaged teams with happy employees playing to their strengths, it makes huge commercial sense too. Energised teams make for productive businesses.

It was during this period of self-reflection that I wrote and subsequently published Destination: Health, Wealth and Happiness, my first (and possibly last!) book. It started life as a blog, but I ended up condensing my own experience into a six-step process designed to help others too. To help unlock your potential, to see yourself, your talents, and what you want much more clearly. It combines my own story with my 30 years of business, recruitment, and coaching background, and it’s full of practical tips, exercises, and self-reflection techniques which I hope you’ll find helpful on your own journey. Not just in your career but in your life too.

So, if any of this resonates with you, I’m giving away free copies of my book to the first 10 people to drop me a note at nicki@nickidenholm.com with why you feel you need a little more Health, Wealth, and Happiness in 2024!

I’m also holding a series of 1-1 sessions starting in January 2024 for those who are serious about changing things up, about being the best version of themselves, and are ready for more this coming year. Each session focuses on a specific step of the framework, with a follow-up at the end. I’ve found that in getting to know ourselves better, our unique strengths, our motivations, our passions, the drivers behind the decisions we make, as well as the things that hold us back, we can start to see a much clearer path – one that’s meant for us at this point in our lives. Whatever stage that may be. We can stop playing small or living according to others’ expectations and lean into fulfilling our unique potential – our own way forward. And believe me, when we start tuning into that, it’s transformational.

So why not make yourself a promise? When you look back this time next year, as you approach the end of 2024, you’ll be reflecting on having had your best year ever!

Whether that’s transitioning to a new role, changing course entirely, starting your own business, developing a project-based portfolio, or even learning how to take a step back in your career – there is a framework to succeeding and finding happiness and fulfilment. 

And I’d love to help you get fully acquainted with YOU…