New Year resolutions have a shelf life of about six weeks. It’s now February - how many of yours have already expired?
Resolutions fail because they’re outcome‑driven and rely on willpower - a limited resource that drains fast when life gets busy.
That’s why this year I’m choosing intentions instead.
Intentions are rooted in values, not perfection. They make space for real life - the messy, unpredictable, beautifully human parts.
Science backs this up: aligning actions with values builds resilience and motivation, while rigid goals often breed guilt and disengagement.
My intentions for 2026 are clarity, presence and joy.
Instead of fixating on outcomes and runs on the board, I'm focusing on how I show up -being present, being of service, and trusting that’s enough. That helps me be less distracted by the next shiny idea I cook up and stops me from being desperate in my desire to win new work and grow my business.
I'm making these intentions real with a commitment to meditation (including signing up for a week-long retreat in May), asking my team to hold me to account every time I try to add something new to the calendar, and a daily reminder of why I do what I do, especially when I feel my anxiety rising about winning the next deal.
How do you want to show up this year?
Whatever you choose, make it a direction you can return to when things get noisy; a reminder of who you want to be rather than what you should achieve. We've included some inspo below to help you along.
Here’s to an intentional, joy-filled 2026 for us all x
Inspiration and ideas to sharpen your inner game
- Setting goals without selling your soul (article)
Here's a great article from the Conscious Leadership Group on avoiding the three most common traps leaders fall into during planning season - and the practical shifts that can bring purpose and performance back into alignment. Read>> - Joyful excellence for high achievers (podcast)
This episode from The Investor's Podcast Network features former McKinsey consultant Brad Stulberg exploring how high achievers can maintain excellence without burning out by showing up with presence rather than chasing the next win. Listen>>
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