As we prepare to step into a new year, it’s important to pause and reflect on where we are in our personal and professional lives. Are you working to make a difference?

Are you driven to make a difference? Or are you making a difference at all? Do you want to? Or are you simply working to make ends meet?

These are meaningful questions, each carrying its own significance. Yet, none have a right or wrong answer. Life’s demands are diverse, and so are the motivations that drive us. Taking time to explore these questions can provide clarity and purpose as we look ahead to the year to come.

Working to Make a Difference

If you are working to make a difference, you are likely motivated by the desire to contribute positively to the world around you. Whether it’s within your community, workplace, or personal relationships, striving to create an impact often brings a sense of fulfilment. However, it’s worth asking whether your efforts are aligned with your values and long-term aspirations. Are you directing your energy in ways that truly resonate with you? Reflecting on this can help ensure your work remains both meaningful and sustainable.

Being Driven to Make a Difference

Feeling driven to make a difference is a powerful force that propels us forward. It represents a vision of what could be, providing the motivation to take action. Yet, passion and drive alone are not enough; they require direction. The question then becomes: Are you translating your drive into tangible actions? Taking the time to evaluate how you convert your motivation into practical steps can transform aspirations into achievements.

When You’re Not Sure If You’re Making a Difference

What if you feel that you’re not making a difference—or that your efforts don’t matter? Perhaps the demands of daily life leave little room for bigger ambitions. This is a reality for many, and it’s perfectly valid. Meeting life’s basic needs is an achievement in itself, particularly in challenging times. However, if you feel a desire to do more, the new year offers an opportunity to start small. Making a difference doesn’t have to mean grand gestures; often, the smallest actions can create the most significant ripples.

Working to Make Ends Meet

For those who are simply working to make ends meet, remember that survival and providing for yourself and your family are honourable and vital pursuits. The expectation to be driven by a larger purpose can sometimes feel overwhelming when you’re focused on getting by. Yet, even in the ordinary, there may be opportunities to find meaning—whether through acts of kindness, connecting with others, or taking pride in your daily efforts.

Looking Ahead to the New Year

As we approach the new year, these questions are not meant to judge or categorise but to encourage self-awareness. Understanding where you stand now can help you consider where you want to go next. Whether your aim is to make a profound difference or focus on small, meaningful changes, it all begins with intention.

Take this time to set achievable goals that align with your current circumstances and your aspirations. What will your next step be? Whatever your answers, let them guide you towards a year filled with purpose, growth, and self-discovery.

Carole Spiers

Carole is the CEO of a leading UK stress management and wellbeing consultancy. She is a BBC Guest-broadcaster and author of Show Stress Who’s Boss! Carole is an international Motivational Speaker and is regularly called upon by the national press and media for comment. She is Chair of the International Stress Management Association [UK], founder of Stress Awareness Day, Fellow and Past President of the Professional Speaking Association, London. www.carolespiers.co.uk