The Best Time to Get Support Is Before You Need It
Three small ways to start before the year ends
It’s the end of the year, a natural time to reflect on 2026 and plan ahead for 2027.
I know many people who have thought about getting a coach or counsellor (or some sort of help), but:
they aren’t sure exactly what support they need, and
they don’t know who to see. A counsellor? A leadership coach? A career coach?
This uncertainty often leads to inaction. Here are three quick things you could try instead, and why.
Why get help now?
I believe we all need support navigating adult life at times. It’s just a fact.
Too often, not knowing who can help means we wait, and our challenges and stress levels rise. Our problems don’t go away; they build. By the time we decide it’s worth paying for help, we’re in crisis. Change is hard in crisis. We can get to survival, but we’re battling uphill.
A friend who works in the public service told me about an often-quoted idea:
“For every $1 we don’t spend on prevention, we spend $8 managing the issue once it’s gone wrong.”
This is true for projects, for people and for your wellbeing.
That’s why I believe in coaching. If we talk now, before a crisis, we have a much better chance of not just coping but thriving.
One last thought on why: change takes time. This is also just a fact of humanity. No counseloor or coach has a magic wand to rewire your brain and body instantly. Changing almost anything about ourselves in a sustainable way often takes one to two years.
So what can you do instead of waiting?
Book a free 30-minute chat with 2–3 professionals who look like a possible good fit. It costs you nothing. It took me three tries to find a counsellor I clicked with, and then I waited six months for a session. That’s common. So start now.
Talk to any professional coach or counsellor. Even if it’s a 1-off paid session and it doesn’t get to the bottom of your challenge, I’m confident that once you start pulling at the threads, you’ll get clearer on the support you actually need. You and the professional you’re working with can then guide your next steps.
Tell 2–3 friends what you think your challenge is. Pick something that keeps coming up and holds you back, and ask who they’d suggest you talk to. You can even talk to AI, but talking with people who know you is better. The point is to start putting the challenge into words. I think you’ll find you’re not the only one, and there’s good support around you.
Who can you talk to before the end of the year,
to start picturing what support could look like in 2027?
In short:
Waiting rarely helps. Problems build, and change is harder in a crisis.
You don’t need to know exactly what help you need before you start.
Take one small step now: a free chat, a single session or an honest conversation with a friend.
About the author Hi I'm Lacey, a CliftonStrengths & Mindfulness coach based in New Zealand. I'm passionate about helping indiviudals and teams elevate their wellbeing before it's a crisis.
I'm also a creative introvert, wife, mum and an avid fan of both exercise and doughnuts! If you're keen to begin or continue your Coaching journey, drop me a line or book a free chat
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