Every January, New Year’s resolutions put on their usual show.
They’re loud, ambitious… and often vanish before the month is over.
But beneath this slightly superficial excitement, something more meaningful happens: the beginning of the year creates available energy, an inner momentum, a need to clarify one’s trajectory.

Instead of spending that energy on promises we won’t keep, we can channel it into a process that does last: the skills assessment.
Unlike short-lived resolutions, a skills assessment unfolds over several weeks.
It allows you to land in early summer, right before the holidays — the ideal moment to:
• start a training programme,
• anticipate an internal move,
• or initiate a thoughtful career shift.

1. January: a natural time to ask the right questions

It’s no coincidence that January often triggers introspection.
We’ve stepped out of the intense year-end rhythm, regained some mental space, and above all: annual performance reviews have just taken place.

Discussions with your manager, feedback, upcoming projects, “points to watch”: everything is still fresh and tangible.

It’s the perfect ground for asking yourself:
• What role do I genuinely want to play in the organisation?
• Does my current position still suit me?
• What irritants do I no longer want to carry into 2026?
• What do I truly need to reconnect with meaning?

A skills assessment at the beginning of the year transforms these questions into a structured, grounded, solution-oriented process.

2. Starting now prevents you from “enduring” your year

Many people wait until mid-year to begin a skills assessment.
By then, the year is already well underway, projects are in motion, and the feeling of being carried along without the ability to adjust your direction is stronger.

Starting in January flips the script:
• you anticipate instead of repairing,
• you adjust your goals before burnout kicks in,
• you regain control before daily demands dictate the pace.

It’s a proactive step, not a crisis signal.

3. A skills assessment isn’t only for people who want to “change everything”

There’s a persistent misconception:
“If I do a skills assessment, it means I want to change careers.”

In reality, most assessments don’t lead to a complete career switch.
They help you:
• adjust your role,
• redefine your scope,
• clarify your priorities,
• identify what drains you and what fuels you,
• secure an internal trajectory,
• realign with yourself.

A skills assessment is first and foremost a space for analysis and perspective — not a mandatory springboard into radical change.
And January, with its natural clarity, is particularly well-suited to this work of fine-tuning.

4. A timing that aligns with organisational dynamics

The beginning of the year is also a strategic window on the organisational side:
• new training budgets,
• new strategic orientations,
• annual reviews completed,
• greater manager availability,
• upcoming projects still being shaped.

In other words: doors are more open in January than at any other time to discuss development, upskilling, or internal mobility.
Starting a skills assessment now means positioning yourself in the right tempo.

5. January: the ideal starting point to build what comes next

A skills assessment isn’t a magic wand or a trend.
It’s a demanding, structured process that requires:
• perspective,
• honesty,
• time,
• and method.

But by starting this work in January, you gain a key advantage: a full year to experiment, adjust, and implement what emerges.

A skills assessment ultimately answers one essential question:
What truly deserves my energy this year?

Conclusion: Taking back control — at the right moment

Starting a skills assessment in January isn’t just another resolution.
It’s a strategic choice:
the choice to transform January’s energy into a real, concrete, aligned trajectory.
It’s the opportunity to refine your role, clarify your ambitions, regain meaning… and reach the summer with a clear plan rather than a vague unease.In short: starting a skills assessment now gives you the chance to move forward — for real.
Want to talk about it? Let’s set up a meeting.