Just about back into the swing of things after the Xmas break and find it’s already the middle of January – so already time for most of us to have kept or forgotten our resolutions as we get sucked back into “business as usual” mode. It’s always an interesting time to work with coaching clients and so far I’ve noticed a couple of particular groups. The first have started the year with renewed vigour and sense of purpose. They have a positive mindset and believe this will be the year they will achieve what they set out to do. The second group might have started the year in the same way, but have already had their energy and enthusiasm sapped by the impact of people (or a particular person) around them.

This reminded me of a simple question a headmaster asked his teachers at the start of the school year. In relation to the photo below he simply asked them to consider which hand was theirs - and in particular how often they pull people up (in a positive way!) and how often, or who, they might be dragging down. Probably a pertinent question for all of us to ask as we set out afresh for 2012. After all, we all need a helping hand from time to time.