Coaching is both a science and an art, guiding clients or patients to achieve their goals through support rather than instruction or lecturing. As a clinical dietitian, I’ve written extensively about health, food, and navigating the holidays. But from a coaching perspective, the approach is entirely different—it’s all about you. A coach doesn’t dictate or assume your goals but rather helps you discover and achieve them. Coaching during the holidays, therefore, becomes a reflection of your personal aspirations, just as it is throughout the year. The question is: do you have specific goals for the holiday season? That’s for you to decide. Let’s explore some common themes people often face during this time of year: • Health: Holidays are often associated with stress, overindulgence in food and drink, feelings of guilt, and the promise to adopt healthier habits after the New Year. • Finances: Financial stress is another hallmark of the season, with increased spending followed by resolutions to improve financial stability, set goals, and create actionable plans. • Personal Growth: Many make promises to themselves or their loved ones—whether it’s getting married, buying a new home, saving for a major purchase, or making lifestyle changes to manage growing responsibilities. • Family: The holidays often inspire commitments to spend more quality time with family, strengthen relationships, or even start a family. In essence, the holidays represent a pivotal period for celebration, reflection, and planning. They prompt us to revisit missed opportunities, reevaluate past goals, and identify new ones. This season also brings heightened self-awareness about our self-worth, security, and overall well-being. However, for many, the year ends with feelings of frustration, unfulfilled dreams, resentment, or disappointment. In response, we often substitute those emotions with optimism, hope, and the resolve to embrace a fresh start. This is where coaching becomes invaluable. Coaching helps channel the energy of this reflective period into actionable goals and plans. In my book, Ready, Aim, Excel, I emphasize a straightforward approach to goal setting: make your goals GREAT. Goals should be: • Grounded in your values so they remain meaningful and sustainable. • Timely, aligned with what you can realistically accomplish now. The natural next question is: how can you identify such goals and ensure success? This is where a coach plays a crucial role. Coaching helps you uncover your true potential, define your capabilities, and align your goals with your strengths. Using structured tools and powerful questions, a coach can help you map out a clear, achievable path to bridge the gap between where you are now and where you want to be. Goal setting is highly personal, and while failures along the way can teach us valuable lessons, coaching offers a proactive approach that minimizes setbacks. Coaching helps you understand yourself better, establish realistic goals, and craft a roadmap for success. This is the beauty of coaching—it combines self-discovery with practical strategies: 1. Identify who you are.2. Set meaningful, achievable goals.3. Develop a clear, actionable plan to achieve them. Wishing you all a joyful, purposeful, and fulfilling holiday season. Happy Holidays! Author: Zeina Ghossoub El-Aswad

Joyce El Khoury is a dynamic leader in strategic communications, media relations, event management, and sales strategist with a career spanning nearly two decades across Europe and the Middle East. Based in Athens, Greece, and Dubai, UAE, Joyce has developed a robust reputation for her expertise in crafting communication strategies, building high-profile media networks, and executing impactful corporate events. Her ability to blend strategic vision with creative execution has positioned her as a trailblazer in the field, consistently driving innovation and growth in every role she has undertaken. Early Career and Education Joyce began her academic journey in communications and journalism at the Lebanese University in Beirut, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in 2004. This foundational education set the stage for her entry into the media world, where she quickly distinguished herself through her talent and drive. Her professional career took off at Rotana Media Group, where she worked as a Public Relations and Press Coordinator from 2005 to 2007. Here, she honed her skills in stakeholder engagement and public relations strategy, laying the groundwork for her future leadership roles. Joyce’s journey continued at Dubai Media Incorporated, where she progressed from a Media Relations Officer to a Corporate Communication Manager. During her tenure, she played a pivotal role in crafting and executing corporate communication strategies, organizing media events, and strengthening the organization’s visibility across the region. Her efforts earned her the prestigious Employee of the Year Award, highlighting her dedication and exceptional performance. Leadership and Entrepreneurship In 2010, Joyce’s entrepreneurial spirit led her to found Media Trend SAL, a media content and event management company based in Beirut. Under her leadership, the company quickly established itself as a key media provider in the UAE, serving prestigious clients like Ahlan Magazine and Al Sada Magazine. Through innovative content creation and strategic partnerships, Joyce scaled Media Trend into a vital content hub in the region. Her success as a founder and director not only showcased her entrepreneurial acumen but also cemented her reputation as a leader capable of navigating the dynamic media landscape. Simultaneously, Joyce held a significant role as Corporate Communication Manager at Alsumaria TV in Beirut, where she built the channel’s communication department from the ground up. Leading a high-performing team, she developed and executed strategies that elevated the channel’s brand image and strengthened its regional presence. Global Communications Expertise In 2020, Joyce transitioned to a leadership role at Estia Capital in Athens, Greece, where she currently serves as Group Communication Manager. Here, she spearheads communication initiatives for Estia and its subsidiaries, including Estia Developments and 7 Seas Maritime. Her responsibilities encompass everything from managing media relations and branding strategies to leading corporate communication for exhibitions and major industry events. Joyce’s innovative use of digital tools, including Google Ads and social media campaigns, has significantly enhanced the company’s market presence and stakeholder engagement. In 2023, Joyce expanded her role at Estia by taking on the responsibility of leading sales efforts in the Middle East. Managing a dedicated team, she exceeded sales targets by leveraging her extensive communication experience and strong network of brokers and clients. Key Achievements Joyce’s career is marked by a series of notable accomplishments, including: Values and Vision Joyce is driven by a commitment to excellence and innovation. She believes in the transformative power of strategic communication to shape perceptions, build relationships, and drive organizational success. Her leadership style emphasizes collaboration, adaptability, and fostering a culture of creativity within her teams. As a multilingual professional fluent in English, Arabic, and French, Joyce excels at navigating diverse cultural and professional landscapes, making her an invaluable asset in today’s globalized world. Her dedication to continuous learning is evident in her completion of specialized certifications, including a Real Estate Negotiation Expert Course and Digital Marketing Boot Camp. Looking Ahead As she moves forward in her career, Joyce El Khoury remains focused on leveraging her wealth of experience to tackle new challenges in strategic communications and business development. Her ability to blend strategic thinking with creative problem-solving makes her a standout leader, poised to make a lasting impact in any organization she joins. Joyce’s journey is a testament to her resilience, adaptability, and unwavering passion for her craft. Whether leading media campaigns, managing corporate communications, building innovative marketing strategies, or leading a sales team to achieve a target she continues to set the standard for excellence in her field.