Welcome to 2026, let’s not leave this year to chance

Welcome to 2026.

A fresh year sounds exciting…

But it can also feel a bit slippery.

Because most people start January with good intentions…

Then blink…

And it’s April.

The real problem isn’t motivation.

It’s that most plans live in our head, not in real life.

Every year we see it, goals written down in January then quietly handed over to hope.

That’s not how we like to play the game.

As a team, we plan before the year even starts.

Not because we’re clever…

But because momentum beats motivation every time.

We want to start January already moving, not warming up for three months.

This came up for me again recently while reflecting on the year that was.

Some things went really well.

Some things didn’t go to plan.

And a few things sat in the “I’ll deal with that later” pile for longer than I’d like to admit.

That’s usually the moment people either:

• Avoid reflection

• Or get stuck beating themselves up

Neither helps.

So instead, we use a simple framework that turns reflection into direction.

Think of it like checking the map before you start driving, not halfway through the trip.

Step 1: Look back (without judging yourself)

Start with pride.

What are the three things you’re genuinely proud of from the last 12 months?

Not Instagram proud. Real proud.

Then ask:

What was hard?

Where didn’t you show up how you wanted to?

Not to judge, just to learn.

Step 2: Empty the mental backpack

Now clear the weight you’ve been carrying.

Unfinished conversations.

Delayed decisions.

Things you keep thinking about but haven’t closed the loop on.

These “incompletes” quietly drain energy, even when you’re resting.

Write them down.

Name them.

You don’t have to fix them all today, awareness alone helps.

Step 3: Notice how you’ve grown

Every challenge teaches you something.

Even the annoying ones.

What are you better at now because last year wasn’t perfect?

This step turns frustration into confidence.

Step 4: Time travel one year ahead

Now imagine it’s 12 months from today.

You’re looking back on 2026 and thinking:

“Yeah… that was a good year.”

What happened for you to feel that way?

What did you achieve?

What tested you but made you stronger?

Write it as if it’s already happened.

Step 5: Choose direction, not a to-do list

From there, don’t jump straight to tasks.

Zoom out.

What are the three directions that matter most this year?

Not KPIs.

Not busy work.

Just the themes guiding your decisions.

Step 6: Build the bridge

If that’s the destination in 12 months…

Where do you need to be by mid-year?

And what actually matters in the next 90 days?

Because big years are built in small, boring, consistent steps.

Step 7: Use the Achievement Roadmap

This is how the best of the best turn goals into reality.

They don’t start with how.

They give themselves permission to dream first.

Big.

Slightly uncomfortable.

The kind of goal that forces you to grow into it.

Then they focus on standards, not willpower.

Who do I need to become?

What does a normal week look like for that person?

Next, they unlock resources.

People.

Tools.

Coaches.

Systems.

They don’t do it alone.

Then they celebrate progress along the way.

Milestones matter.

Rewards make effort sustainable.

Finally, they connect goals to daily triggers.

Your calendar.

Your routines.

Your environment.

Because a plan you don’t see…

Is a plan you won’t follow.

There’s a quote I love that sums this up:

“Hope is not a strategy.”

A plan doesn’t need to be perfect.

It just needs to be visible and revisited.

So as you ease into 2026, here’s my simple advice:

Slow down enough to think.

Be honest with yourself.

And design the year, don’t leave it to chance or others!

We’ll be doing this work with our clients over the coming weeks and we’re turning this exact framework into a simple one-page planner you can use and revisit all year.

More on that soon.

If you don’t want to do this alone, or you’d like help turning your goals into a real plan, contact us or SMS to 0483 937 777 with GOALS and we’ll help you map it out.

Here’s to a calm, clear, intentional 2026.

Talk soon.

7Wealth Pty Ltd ABN 44609210246 is a Corporate Authorised Representatives and is authorised throughCobalt AdvisersPty Ltd ABN 64 628 654 099 who is an Australian Financial Services Licensee 512550. 7Wealth Pty Ltd is a Credit Representative ofAustralian Finance GroupLtd ABN 11 066 385 822 (AFG) Australian Credit Licence 389087.
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