Read time: 3.5 min
Hi Reader,
And just like that we are in 2026.
Every year, I have this urge to create a perfect plan and feel completely prepared for the year.
And the truth is I never do - not because of lack of good intentions but because life happens.
There are never perfect circumstances; there is never a situation where all the ducks are neatly in a row.
And this year taught me the same.
What I achieved in 2025 didn't happen because of perfectly organised plans or decisions born out of logic and comfort.
It came from:
- Taking action despite the fear of failure or embarrassment
- Slowing down and listening to how I really felt.
- Reframing scary moves as opportunities to learn, not opportunities to crash and burn.
- Taking accountability for my own actions and behaviours
There were plenty of opportunities to give myself an out, stay in my comfort zone and justify it with logic that made complete sense on paper.
And sometimes, I'm gonna be honest with you. I did.
🫠 I didn't put myself out there as much as I wanted to
(because I didnt want to be rejected)
🫠 I didn't start the YouTube channel I promised I would
(because I was scared it would tank and I'd look like an idiot)
🫠 I didn't get as healthy or as fit as I had hoped for
(as I stayed in my comfort eating habit too often)
I'm telling you this because I don't want you to think that it comes easy for me. It's a constant WIP to avoid the trap that safety promises.
Staying in my comfort zone meant that I avoided feeling uncomfortable.
But I also know....without a shadow of a doubt that I missed out on amazing opportunities, exposure, relationships and also £££ (bugger).
All because. In those situations, comfort won.
🫠 I waited until "tomorrow" (which never came)
🫠 I waited until things felt a bit clearer (aka procrastinated)
🫠 I waited until I felt a bit more confident (which was never confident "enough)
Where I did push myself out of my comfort zone by taking small, deliberate, intentional moves, despite bricking myself, I...
- Hit 10k followers on LinkedIn
- Landed a lucrative consulting project
- Launched a successful group programme for the first time
- Started posting on Instagram
- Hit 80% of my corporate salary
Some of these have been successes
Some have been a steep learning exercise in humility (hello IG)
But all have proved that I am far more capable than I give myself credit for and my confidence in putting myself out there has grown significantly.
What I know for sure is this:
You can stay in comfort or you can grow but you can't do both at the same time.
- It's taking small messy action even when it feels uncomfortable
- It's going after what you know you want even if it doesn't look logical on paper...or to anyone else.
- It's trusting in who you are and what you can achieve on the other even if the results don't show up straight away.
And so I'm making this promise to you:
- I will start a YouTube channel
- I will put myself out there to get on podcasts etc
- I will change my relationship with food
And I'll do it by
→ Learning as I go and through action
→ Prioritising progress over perfection
→ Embracing cringe as the price of growth.
And with a lot of hyping myself up in the mirror along the way (lol)
If you are in the same space, knowing that you have outgrown where you are but struggling with overthinking, procrastination, and self-doubt about your next step.
Then know that you don't need to have all the puzzle pieces before you move forward...
And that the only person you need permission from to think boldly is yourself.
UNTAPPED reopens for new members in February - the 12-week coaching membership for high-performing consultants who think and feel deeply and have outgrown their career.
In 90 days I will help you step into your next career chapter with clarity, momentum and strategy through my proven AIM framework.
Keep an eye out for the waitlist that will go live in a couple of weeks.
I can't wait to help so many more of you this year step into the REAL versions of you.
But for now - let this be a gentle nudge to back yourself and ask yourself "what do I have to make this decision work?" instead of spiralling into everything that could go wrong.
And if you know someone who could benefit from being supported through change - forward this to them, because sometimes just getting weekly support free in your inbox makes a world of difference.
They can join the free weekly letter here
Happy New Year you brilliant lot -
Yas x
