Entering 2026
How are you feeling today, January 8th? I’m asking because we’ve just shot out of the holidays into the new year, and many of us expect to hit the ground running or jump right back in.
I’m not doing it. I’m not expecting to define and design my entire year this week.
I realized in December, as I was reflecting on my beautifully curated, thoughtfully designed, and extensive 2025 goal deck, that I had expected too much from my work and life. The goals made sense and were aligned with my strategic plan and values. But it all felt tiring—the never-ending striving in every area of life. Where is the time to just be, without guilt or the feeling that something should be accomplished?
We know that taking time to be wholly at rest helps us do what we deem important.
Don’t misunderstand. I am motivated, ambitious, and hungry to keep building in all areas of my life. I have ideas and an outline. But when I was writing my goals last January, I hadn’t fully considered my energy ebb and flow, my true capacity, or the other intangibles that inevitably show up as we live our real and messy lives. Unexpected conversations. Opportunities for connection. The need for a recovery day.
A Shift in Thinking
This year, I’m thinking about building differently. Several people have recently inspired this shift.
One new entrepreneur friend spoke about planning quarterly, not annually. Her business is constantly evolving, and a yearly plan doesn’t work. I imagine this is true for most businesses today.
Another entrepreneur I follow shared their end-of-year reflection process. It takes a more bottoms-up approach: deeply examining what worked and what didn’t, then building realistically from that foundation.
And then there was a post I read about the idea of Wintering: taking time during this season of lower energy and shorter days to rest, reset, and plant seeds that will sprout in the spring. That idea has really taken hold.
We emerge from a whirlwind December, with holidays layered on top of very heavy end-of-year work – often without nearly enough rest or recovery. Then we drop straight into a dense set of expectations, with little time to reflect. I want to change my approach in 2026.
The Body Knows
Over the years, I’ve become more adept at listening to my body.
For the past decade, I’ve paid attention to my natural energy ebb and flow throughout the day, week, and month. I now consistently know when I need more sleep, more food, or more movement—when to push through, and when to let down and rest.
I am more attuned. I know when ten minutes of meditation will re-energize versus a thirty-minute nap – an important distinction.
This investment in observing, testing, and paying attention to my physical and mental state has been incredibly helpful in supporting a productive, strategic, thoughtful, and balanced approach to my work and life.
So, when I noticed my reaction to those goals, I treated it as data—and adjusted my process.
The Art of Subtraction
Over the holidays, our family had some great conversations about the art of subtraction.
This year, we subtracted a lot.
We decorated, but minimally. We bought a jasmine plant and wrapped it in lights. We didn’t even unpack the ornaments. We placed a beautiful pine wreath above the fireplace so we could enjoy the scent, and we added lights there too.
We didn’t have the energy or time, so instead of pushing, we simply did less.The house was festive enough. And we had more time for hot chocolate and sitting by the fire.
We wanted to focus on family, not hustle. So, we bought fewer gifts, opted out of a few parties, and the result was a much more enjoyable season.
2026 Planning
As I think about 2026, I’m asking where else I can harness my energy and practice the art of subtraction, while still honoring my ambition and the growth of my coaching practice.
It’s about impact. And I must live what I teach.
Where can I shift my internal expectations to better reflect a realistic approach to a rich, full, and sustainable life?
Here’s what I’ve got so far:
- I’m taking January to reflect and build a strong foundation for 2026. I’ll set a short list of key goals each quarter and revise throughout the year.
- I’m continuing to deepen my focus on health, getting stronger and moving more consistently each day. This is now scheduled on my calendar.
- I’m focused on serving my clients through impactful coaching and strategic HR support.
- I’m building in buffers, for my social battery, for everyday life like making dinner, and for off-the-cuff events and fun—staying both focused and flexible.
In 2026, I’m cultivating focus, intentional, data-driven, sustainably paced work that creates real impact and connection.
What I’m not doing: creating a 23-page goal PowerPoint.
What about you? How do you want to enter 2026?
Reflection Questions
- Are you tuned into how your energy flows throughout the day, week, and month?
- As you deepen that self-knowledge, can you begin to design a more sustainable pace?
- As you reflect on the holidays, what brought you joy, and what brought stress or resentment?
- What is one thing you’d like to subtract or take off your plate?
Resources
- Further Reading: On Focus: https://kristinaau.com/why-is-protecting-time-for-deep-work-so-difficult/
- Photo Credit: Photo by Paul Skorupskas on Unsplash
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About
Kristina Au is a coach and people-operations strategist helping leaders and small to mid-sized organizations navigate complexity with clarity and confidence. With an SPHR (Senior Professional, Human Resources) and a Master’s in Executive Leadership, she combines right-sized strategy and transformative coaching to support meaningful, sustainable growth.