Here we go; new year, new… whatever you want!

Every January, the advice profession has a mixed relationship with the idea of “the new year”. Time is just a construct after all; we moved from a Wednesday (31st Dec) to a Thursday (1st Jan). In any other week, there would be no huge mid-week revelations.

Some people love the sense of a fresh start: “From the new year I’ll run 5 days a week and only eat fruit and be 8 x more productive than last year”. Others roll their eyes at resolutions and talk of change, rightly pointing out that it’s just another day on the calendar.  

But, I disagree.

Yes, the start of the new year is just another day (and therefore entirely pointless to tell yourself for all of Nov and Dec that you’ll definitely start a new fitness regime on 1st Jan). 

In financial services though, the start of the year is different, and it’s one of the few genuine reset moments advice firms get.

‍

Hard reset

In our world, it’s a big old power off, let it cool down, power it back up, moment. No other time of the year do we get to have the best part of two weeks off and miss nothing. No breaking news. No colleague crises. No client issues or sales opportunities. Nothing. 

That space matters. It gives leaders and advisers the chance to step off the treadmill, think clearly, and come back with intent, not just momentum.

That’s why, for the last few years, we’ve treated our first Friday back as a proper reset point. We don’t rush back into activity — we align first. We look at where we’re going, how we’ll get there, and how much more effective people are when they’re properly supported and pulling in the same direction.

‍

Kicking off (not like that though)

We hold an annual Verve Kick Off Day. This isn’t “kick off” in the northern vernacular - we’re not about to start any fights.  

Instead, we kick off the new year. We lay out our plans for the coming year, how we’re going to achieve them, how people can do more by working together as a team than they can individually. 

What’s been striking isn’t just the ambition of the plan, but the reaction to it. With rested minds and a clear structure around them, our people have embraced it fully, and the energy that creates is tangible.

This year, we took it up a level and also laid out a solid three-year plan; very punchy, very high growth, very exciting! Trying to launch this on, say, 22nd December when everyone is cold and fatigued would’ve gone down like a lead balloon. But the new year and the refreshed minds mean that, instead, everyone has fully embraced it. People who have been here for years have said that they’re feeling more motivated than they ever have before at Verve!

So, new year, new… whatever you want it to be.  

And if you run or lead an advice firm, this is a rare opportunity to do more than set resolutions. It’s a chance to step back, reset properly, and think about what support, structure, and clarity your business needs to grow sustainably.

Optimism matters. But it works best when it’s backed by a plan and the right people around you. And if you don’t take the shot, you don’t score.

Take the opportunity for a refresh. If you don’t shoot, you don’t score 🤷🏼‍♀️

Happy new year all.

‍