The Creative CEO Reset Every Artist Needs Before January
Every year I ask myself one honest question.
What needs to change for next year to feel different?
Most creatives never get the January they dream of
not because they lack talent
but because they’re carrying the noise of the past year straight into the next one.
No reset. No reflection. No clarity.
This is the ritual that changed everything for me as an actress mentor and creative entrepreneur. Today, I’m sharing the exact process I use each December to reset my clarity confidence and strategy so I can step into January already moving forward.
Why Creative Resets Matter More Than Resolutions
Resolutions focus on outcomes.
Resets focus on alignment.
When I began treating December as the foundation of my entire year my auditions my coaching work my energy and my clarity shifted. I stopped guessing. I started leading my life like the creative CEO of my career.
A real reset isn’t about buying a new planner. It’s about taking an honest look at your work your habits and your patterns and asking
What actually moved me forward this year and what held me back?
Step One
Review What Worked What Didn’t and What Surprised You
Most creatives skip this step because it feels uncomfortable. But this is where all clarity starts.
Look at your year through the lens of data not emotion.
If you’re a performer look at
callbacks
headshots
on stage or on camera opportunities
and the roles that kept coming your way.
If you’re also a coach or creative entrepreneur look at
content
client work
offers
and the parts of your business that felt aligned or out of alignment.
This is where I ask myself:
Is the story I’m telling in my materials the story I actually want to tell?
Step Two
Audit Your Creative Identity for the Year Ahead
I rebuilt my creative life this past year by getting honest about the type of artist I’m becoming.
I focused on
strengthening my training
building my health and wellness as a foundation
surrounding myself with aligned people
simplifying my business offers
and doing the daily habits that support the lifestyle I want as an actress and mentor.
The question that shaped my year:
What needs to change for next year to look different?
Step Three
Choose a Few Intentional Priorities You Can Actually Influence
This changed my entire life.
You cannot control whether you book the job.
You can control how you show up for the job.
You cannot control social media algorithms.
You can control your consistency your clarity and your message.
You cannot control who says yes.
You can control the strength of your materials your portfolio your reels your voice and your daily habits.
Choose only a few priorities that you know you can influence through consistent and gentle daily action.
Step Four
Create Your Daily Five Minute Reset Ritual
This is the practice that grounded my entire year.
It helped me
stay centered
release perfectionism
keep my goals aligned with the artist I’m becoming
and move with intention instead of overwhelm.
Small actions compounded daily changed me more than any big resolution ever has.
Training every day
warming up my voice
strengthening my on camera skills
prioritizing health
and protecting my energy shaped my year more than anything else.
If you want my exact ritual you can download it here:
The Five Minute Daily Creative Reset Ritual
Why This Matters for Your Creative Career
This reset allows you to enter January already grounded and already in motion.
Not scrambling. Not guessing. Not reacting.
It sets you up to
train with intention
create from clarity
and build the life and career that aligns with the artist you’re becoming.
Momentum doesn’t happen in January.
It starts right now.
Watch the Full Video
You can watch the full breakdown of my reset ritual here:
The CEO Reset Every Creative Needs Before January
Want Support With Your Own Creative Reset?
I offer one to one coaching sessions for creatives who want clarity confidence audition support business strategy and help navigating the online side of their careers.
Gentle forward motion starts with clarity and I’d love to support you.
Ashlee Espinosa, MFA is an actress and creative mentor helping performers and artist entrepreneurs build aligned, multi-stream creative lives. Her work blends artistic intelligence, clarity, and grounded strategy to support creatives who want to grow with confidence, purpose, and joy.
Every Tuesday she shares a letter with mindset tools, creative clarity, and guidance for your next chapter.
