2026 is here. That happened fast! I think it goes faster and faster each year. Or, is it just me?
Anyway, call me crazy but I have literally been getting things ready for 2026 since the beginning of November. I’ve started getting my 2026 files together, de-cluttering and tossing things that I no longer need or want, shredding old papers and updating my calendar. More importantly, I started thinking about my goals for 2026. There’s a lot more to do, there always is, but planning is definitely the first and most important step.
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, a French writer, once said, “A goal without a plan is just a wish”. It’s so true! This saying highlights the difference between intention and action. A goal answers the question: “What do I want?”. A plan answers “How will I get there?”
January is a great time to set goals and make plans both personally and professionally. It doesn’t have to be a New Years Resolution because those rarely work in the long run. And, the goals don’t have to be bodacious (although they certainly can be if you’re up to the task). What better time than now to think about what goals you want to set for this year and make a plan so that you can make them happen.
I’d like to break this down a bit further because I think it’s important to understand the concrete differences between a goal and a plan:
A goal represents a desired outcome, something we hope to achieve in the future. However, without a clear plan, that goal remains an idea. Planning is what transforms desire into direction. We tend to get more done when we have a plan in place. A plan gives structure to a goal. It breaks things down into smaller, manageable steps and clarifies what needs to be done, when it needs to be done and how progress will be measured.
Planning also forces accountability. When we plan, we consider time, resources, skills and potential obstacles. This allows us to adjust expectations, prepare for challenges and make informed decisions. A plan creates benchmarks that make it possible to track progress and hold ourselves accountable. Finally, planning is an act of commitment. It indicates that the goal matters enough to deserve time, thought and continuous effort.
In short, wishing is passive … planning is active. Goals define what we want; plans determine how we actually get there. Without a plan, a goal is little more than hope. With a plan, that goal becomes realistic and achievable.
My suggestion is to write it all down. What the goals are. What the plans are. It provides a roadmap. Keep your “roadmap” somewhere where you can be reminded every day, week or month. The more you think about or are reminded of your goals, the more likely you will achieve them.
I write my goals and the plan to achieve them in my calendar at the beginning of each month and then transfer them monthly. If I complete a goal or a task on my plan, I cross it out. It actually feels good because I see that I’m making progress. I know it seems like a lot but, for me, it is a constant reminder. I remember things better when I write them down. Instead of re-writing them each month like I do, you can simply write them on post-it notes and transfer them daily, weekly or monthly. Whatever works!
I find that writing things down helps me not only remember what I want to do but when it’s in my calendar it actually gets done. I also make sure that everything is on the calendar…not just appointments but also my “to do’s”. I make sure to put anything and everything that is important and recurring in my calendar at the beginning of each year. I use both my google calendar and I also have a planner. I know its old school but I’m old school and it works for me. Do whatever works for you but do it!
What are you goals for 2026 and what are you going to do to make them happen?