I love January because there’s this sense of new possibilities, new openings and a new vision.

So take advantage of this sensation and make sure you vision big, and have FUN with it!

As you think about what goals you want to achieve this year, keep the goals focused, doable and around a specific theme. Don’t try to do too much!

But ask the big questions first, before you narrow it down. (You can always put the other stuff that comes up in the “Someday/Later” file. Read the Getting Things Done by David Allen if you don’t know what I’m talking about.)

So with that caveat, I’m suggesting a number of questions to ask yourself (below), to get you thinking about the direction YOU want to take this year. These questions are simply to get you thinking about the ways in which you want to improve, grow and build.

Take some time to carefully answer each of the questions below. Next, pick one to three (at the most!) top overarching goals or themes you want to work on over the course of the coming month, quarter or year.

In order to think about what kinds of goals or targets you MIGHT want to aim for this year, ask yourself the following questions: With regard to my Career and Work Life…

What Do I Want to Learn This Year?

You might consider things that would help your overall productivity, or new skills you’ve been wanting to acquire, or simply a better knowledge base of your industry. There’s so much out there, and it can be fun to consider the possibilities.

What Do I Want to Contribute This Year?

In addition to planning for things you want to do for YOU, you might want to consider things you want to do for others. What would you like to do as a mentor, to nurture and grow young professionals in your industry? Also, think about what gifts you want to bring to the workplace.

How Do I want to Leverage My Power?

Remember that using power builds power, so carefully consider as you go into the year how you want to allocate the power you have gathered, and how that can help elevate both yourself and others. What introductions do you want to make, requests regarding projects and/or funding?

What Relationships Do I Want to Build?

Expanding and strengthening your network is always a good idea. Who do you want to meet this year?

How Can I Bring Fun, Creativity and Play to my Work?

Don’t underestimate the value of play! How can you make sure you have the time and space to recharge – even right within the office?

How Can I Strengthen the Skills I Already Have?

Make sure you are continually building on your current skill set, so they don’t get rusty.

How Can I Bring Beauty to My Work?

An aesthetically pleasing space is beneficial to all, but how can you make sure that your work space – what you see, smell, hear, touch, all contribute to ease and grace?

What/How Can I Organize?

Are there processes you can streamline, documents or contacts you need to organize, or ways you can do things better?

What Attitude or Mindset Shift Would Help Me in the Workplace?

Sometimes simply learning to SEE things differently makes all the difference.

How Can I use All of My Senses at Work? (Don’t Forget Intuition)

Bring to bear all the faculties you have at your disposal…

These ideas are just to get you started. Sometimes I think our new year’s resolutions around work can be too narrow. As you answer these questions to yourself, just let the ideas flow… (But don’t get overwhelmed — these ideas are for inspiration, not angst.)