January is a my favorite month of the year because it allows me to start a new race with fresh legs. I’m usually relaxed by some time off, where I have the chance to reflect on the past year and also review my current goals.

I have learned that consistent downtime combined with annual time off (unplugging) is key to high performance and I believe that it contributes to all levels of success. Those who have great personal brands are aware of this secret to success, which is directly correlated to their consistent pattern of growth, something I refer to as growing brand strength.

It might seem odd to some of you who are reading this that such downtime leads to further success in branding, so allow me to illustrate some examples of how such personal time off can lead to some great professional results. My three accomplishments are not outlined in order of importance but in order of life events, again contributing to a pattern of growth that has grown my personal brand’s strength.

In 2005, I managed the largest region for a cruise line in Western Canada. I took 23 days off in a row to escort my family and middle son’s elite soccer team to Italy. I came home from that trip feeling rejuvenated and more focused on finishing my year stronger than ever. As a result, I earned the “Global Salesperson of the Year” from my cruise line.

Another example of growing my personal brand’s strength from quality downtime is when I decided to launch my own coaching and consulting business in 2009. Life and strategic planning offered me three months to create, launch and begin to execute my brandUcoaching.com business plan. After five fast and furious years, I can proudly say I have coached, facilitated, key-noted, consulted, authored and written for some of the finest travel and tourism organizations in North America.

A final example of personal time off equating to personal success and ongoing brand strength can be attributed to consistent exercise. I have had my best professional ideas sweating on the bike or jogging to find my second-wind on the mountains in my backyard. “I escape, therefore I am” is a saying that has rung in my head for years.

If you look at my past six columns in this magazine, you will find a pattern of advice that contributes to my coaching goal of assisting you in your personal branding journey. As stated in the past, I believe every personal brand is an ongoing project of progress and fine-tuning over time. I never believe we should strive for perfection, rather simply work hard day in and day out toward progress.

Most of us make the time to do what we value most. Personally, I value working toward many goals. It has always been important to me to strive and not only do my best, but to learn from my mistakes, adapt, grow, achieve and help others along the way. Such a mantra in life has allowed me to stay true to myself, live my truth and earn the right to coach others to find their truth.

I encourage you to find your truth this year and grow a little more than from last year. I personally have vowed to communicate more and voice my opinion sooner than later. Such proactive and sometimes assertive language can be liberating and educational to my audience.

I have vowed to procrastinate less as well. I have learned that great leaders share this very human trait, but they have found strategies to nip it in the bud sooner than others in order to break on through to the other side

Finally, I have learned that I need to listen in order to make my personal brand even stronger in the coming year—and listening is truly an art unlike any other. I will be practicing to W.A.I.T. (Why Am I Talking?). One of my many mentors coached me to stop responding so quickly in conversations (personally and professionally) and ask myself to W.A.I.T. Such active listening is easier said than done, because most people would rather talk and hear their own voice, rather than be present and acknowledge, question, and confirm what was said before responding.

I want to wish you a Happy New Year for 2015 and I look forward to hearing the many stories of how you’ve grown your personal brand strength by dialing up your communications, letting go of your fears and procrastinating less, and possibly playing to your strengths through W.A.I.T. and actively listening to the people you speak with.