It is usually this time of the year when our work responsibilities start to gain momentum, that we truly acknowledge that another year is in full swing.
As we settle into a daily routine, it provides us with another opportunity to start thinking about the year ahead, and in particular, what we hope to achieve in 2026.
What do you hope to complete or accomplish?
What you hope for, for example, might be to achieve a long term goal of losing weight or saving some money to travel. Or it could be a short term goal, like exploring our beautiful countryside, or learning how to dance.
If you’re not sure what you hope to achieve this year, think about your values and what’s important to you. We’re more likely to make changes to our health and lifestyle when they are based on our values.
So what are values?
Values are principles/standards of behaviour. They represent what is important in our life. Values represent who we are as individuals and what we stand for…
Below are some examples that might help you to start thinking about your own values and what’s important to you…
For example (in no particular order), you may value:
- health and wellbeing, and wish to improve it
- relationships with loved ones, and wish to enhance them
- work/career/business/education, and wish to further develop this
- creative/artistic expression, and wish to enrich it
- community, and wish to contribute to it
- adventure, and wish to create more new experiences
- financial security, and wish to improve your current situation
Once you are clear about your values, base your goals and what you hope to achieve on those core principles.
Then think about taking some action. What are the necessary steps that you need to take to help you achieve your goals? Then take those steps!
Be as specific as possible
If you value good health and wellbeing for example, and for you this means increasing your fitness, your action steps may be to exercise at least 30 minutes a day every day.
If you value your local community, you may decide to contribute through volunteering and your first action steps may be to start exploring what volunteering opportunities are available in your local area. You may then decide to volunteer in your local op shop or possibly mentor disadvantaged teens to help improve their writing or driving skills as an example…
Write down exactly what you value and what you’re going to do to achieve your goals. Put it somewhere prominent to help remind you on a daily basis that this is what you hope to achieve in 2026.
Remember without planning and action, your goal is just a dream…
Not sure what to make a priority?
Have a look at the examples below and think about which one/s resonate with you. What’s important to you? What do you stand for? Are you living by your values?
If you value good health and wellbeing, you may wish to improve it through:
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If you value your relationships with loved ones, you may wish to enhance them by:
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If you value your work/career/business/education, you may wish to progress this by:
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If you value creative/artistic expression and wish to enrich it/develop it, you may try:
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If you value community and wish to contribute to it by volunteering, you may wish to explore:
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If you value financial security and wish to improve your finances, you may try the following:
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Did any of the above resonate with you?
We’re much more motivated to make positive changes when they are based on our values, and what we believe feels right for us.
If you desire to change, it’s never too late – today is a great day to get started.
Remember that any type of change takes time and consistent effort. Be consistent every day.
Remind yourself of the steps that you are taking and the small achievements you’re making along the way, and in good time you will achieve the results you’re looking for.
