It starts in early December and carries into the new year. We’re surrounded by phrases like “New Year, New You,” “What’s your vision for the year?” and “What’s your word for the year?” These messages are well-intentioned, and I am normally one of those who conducts a year end reflection which leads to new year planning.  In 2025, I was not feeling inspired to plan for 2026.  I was lacking motivation, clarity and desire to look towards 2026.

I know what’s coming: business obligations, presentations, conferences, group coaching, volunteering, and caring for my mother. With two businesses and a full life, my vision isn’t always crystal clear. When things feel like they’re moving in the right direction, something unexpected comes along and knocks the train off the tracks. Subconsciously, that made me wonder… why plan at all if priorities can change outside my control?

If you’re nodding your head, give yourself grace. Let’s find a way of planning that actually works for you.

Why does planning in January appear to be so important?  The word January comes from the Roman god Janus, who had two faces — one looking back and one looking forward. He was associated with doors, gates, and beginnings. That makes January a natural time to pause, reflect, and decide what we want to carry forward.

If you intended to plan for the new year but haven’t started, it’s not too late. You can plan at any time and for any length of time. Some people even prefer monthly intentions instead of yearly resolutions. A friend of mine does this beautifully: February might be her month to organize closets, March her month to plan her garden. This approach is flexible, manageable, and far less overwhelming.

Another powerful option is to look at what you want to do more of, less of, add, or subtract.
Take a sheet of paper, divide it into four columns, and label them:

More (>) Less (<) Add (+) Subtract (–)

Then list activities and commitments in your life. For example, volunteering might appear in all four. You may want to do more of it, add a new organization, or step back from something that no longer fits your season of life.

Once your grid is complete, choose one or two areas to focus on first and make them specific. Let’s say journaling is one. Decide:

• When will you do it?
• How often?
• Where will it happen?

If twice a week feels successful, that’s perfect. Set up your space, put out your notebook, and set a reminder.

Change often requires letting go of something else. If you plan to journal with your morning coffee, what are you doing now during that time — scrolling, puzzles, email? You may need to move or release that habit to make room for the new one.

Once you’ve chosen your top three changes, accountability becomes your secret weapon. Who will cheer you on? Who will check in? Make it fun — track your progress, reward yourself, or invite a friend to join you. When growth feels rewarding, it lasts.

Every day we make choices. When we choose intentionally — and pair that with the right mindset and tools — meaningful change becomes possible.

So where does my 2026 planning stand? My husband and I recently took time to plan for our travel business, and it felt energizing. Being aligned and clear on where we’re going brought peace and excitement.

My word for 2026 is Clarity. I want clarity around my story, my businesses, and my commitments. It may not look like a paint-by-number. More like a Monet — beautiful, layered, and shifting with the light.

Have you finished your plans for 2026? Wonderful — I celebrate you.
Is planning not your style? That’s okay too.
If you haven’t started and would like a gentle place to begin, I’ve created a Plan and Reflect Worksheet to help you reflect, reset, and move forward without overwhelm.

And if you don’t want to do it alone, let’s plan a strategy session. You can go farther with a coach than you ever can alone.

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