How can you really make 2026 your year?

The year is drawing to a close. Time to pause for a moment - even if you are perhaps someone who prefers to look ahead. I understand that. But our past can teach us valuable lessons. So, let's look back together and derive the best opportunities for the future.

Step 1: Celebrate your successes - no matter how small they are

Think back to January. You probably made resolutions. Maybe you wanted to live healthier, learn a new language or develop your career. Take a look at what you've achieved this year.

Have you lost a few kilos, even if it wasn't as many as you had planned? Have you managed to read regularly, even if only for five minutes a day? All of these are successes. And successes deserve to be celebrated. They are the fuel that keeps you going.

Make a list of all your small and big successes. Not to brag, but to make yourself aware that you have made progress. Every small step is part of your journey.

Step 2: Be honest - where did you fall short of your goals?

This part is a little more difficult. But it is essential if you really want to grow. Where have you not achieved your goals? And why?

Did you want to spend less time at the screen, but kept falling back into old patterns? Did you plan to exercise regularly, but after a few weeks your motivation waned? Was there that book you wanted to read or that language you wanted to learn - and somehow it never happened?

Be honest with yourself. Without excuses. Without sugarcoating. Only then can you understand what went wrong and do better next time.

Step 3: Find out why you failed

A lack of discipline is rarely the real reason. Most of the time it's because the plan wasn't realistic or the vision wasn't defined clearly enough.

1. Was your vision strong enough? It's not enough to say: "I want to be more athletic." You need to be able to visualize how you will feel when you have achieved it. Imagine yourself going through the day full of energy, smiling because you feel better in your body. If your vision is strong enough, it will drive you.

2. Did you have a realistic plan? It's no good making a plan to exercise for an hour a day if you haven't done anything for years. A better plan would be: "I'll do strength training three times a week and go for a walk on the other days." Small, achievable steps lead to long-term success.

3. Have you recognized your small successes? Many people give up because they only look at the big goal and don't notice their progress. If you lose a kilo, that's a step in the right direction. If you read a page, that's progress. Successful people recognize their small victories and therefore stay motivated in the long term.

2026 will be your year - if you set the right course

There is no magic moment when everything suddenly changes. Success is the result of many small steps, consistently strung together2. The difference between those who achieve their goals and those who fail is simple: some get back up after a setback and keep going.

So, what are your plans for 2026? And how will you make sure you really follow through this time?

Sources:

• Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The New Psychology of Success.

• Duckworth, A. (2016). Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance.

• Clear, J. (2018). Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones.