2026 Goals
“Discipline doesn’t start on January 1st. It starts the moment you stop negotiating with yourself.” - Anonymous
Meaningful change doesn’t require an arbitrary date. Still, the start of a new year can be a valuable opportunity to pause, reflect, and recommit. I’ve never been particularly drawn to New Year’s resolutions—like many, I’ve struggled not only to set intentional goals, but to follow them through.
My commitment to real change began four years ago. While that journey didn’t start with a calendar reset, a new year offers a natural moment to take stock, assess progress, and identify areas of focus as I continue forward. With that in mind, here are my goals for the year ahead:
Goal #1 - Improve active listening skills
In 2026, I want to become a better listener—not just someone who hears words, but someone who truly understands. That means staying present in conversations and resisting the urge to mentally prepare my response while the other person is still speaking. The goal is simple but challenging: listen to understand, not to reply.
Goal #2 - Limit emotional reactions – pause before acting
Another focus this year is creating space between stimulus and response. When something happens, I want to pause instead of immediately reacting with words or actions. That pause is where clarity, better decisions, and emotional maturity live—and it’s a skill I’m committed to strengthening.
Goal #3 - Run a marathon
I have already signed up for a marathon on January 25, 2026, and preparation is already well underway. This goal is about finishing what I’ve started and using the momentum to kick off the new year on the strongest possible footing. It’s a physical challenge, but more importantly, it’s a mental one.
Goal #4 - Climb the Yorkshire Three Peaks with childhood friends
On May 2, I’ll be taking on the Yorkshire Three Peaks with four of my childhood friends—Andy, John, Matty, and Rob. Beyond the physical challenge, this is about shared history, friendship, and doing something meaningful together. We’ll also be raising money for Elodie Wish, which gives this goal an even deeper purpose.
Goal #5 - Complete three customised “75 Hard” challenges with Amy
Amy and I have committed to doing at least three customised versions of the 75 Hard challenge together. Because of family commitments, we’ve adapted the structure so it’s sustainable and realistic. Our first challenge starts January 5 and includes reading 10 pages of a book, a 30-minute workout, 30 minutes of building AI acumen, a journal entry and at least five minutes of meditation each day. This is about consistency, teamwork, and shared growth.
Goal #6 - Confirm and begin planning our wedding
In 2026, we want to lock in the foundations of our wedding, with the summer of 2027 being the aim. We’ve already emailed our preferred venue, and the next steps are finalising a date, understanding the costs, and building a realistic budget. It’s about turning a beautiful idea into a clear, well-planned reality.
Goal #7 - Start strategically building a personal brand
This is a decade-long goal, but 2026 is about finally starting. The long-term vision is to build a personal brand centered on health and wellness. This year, the focus isn’t perfection—it’s progress. I want to create a simple month-over-month and year-over-year plan and take consistent action instead of waiting for everything to feel “ready.”
Goal #8 - Explore and define my career trajectory
Finally, 2026 is about gaining clarity on where I want my career to go. That means honestly assessing my goals, identifying gaps, and intentionally upskilling in areas that align with my desired direction. Exploration now creates alignment later.
What are your goals? They don’t have to be new years resolutions per se, they may be part of your ongoing journey to a better you!
