The last cold plunge of the year always brings a simple, sharp question to mind: are we running to 2026, or running from 2025? My stance is clear. Run to 2026—on purpose. Not out of fear, not out of guilt, but with clarity and grit.
This week between Christmas and New Year’s offers a rare window to slow down and get honest. As someone who did his first business turnaround at 28, served as president of four companies, and now coaches CEOs, I’ve seen what happens when leaders skip reflection. They drift. I don’t want that for you—or for me.
“Are you running to 2026, or running from 2025?”
Choose Your Direction
Some of us want to sprint into the new year. Others want to slam the door on the old one. Both urges can be useful, but neither works without truth-telling. Life threw curveballs this year—good and bad. That’s real. The choice is what we do with them.
I don’t chase shiny goals anymore. I aim where I can win and where I can grow. That requires a short, ruthless review.
The Five-Step Year-End Reset
Here’s the quick audit I use before setting new aims.
- Highlights and lowlights: Write them down. Naming beats vague memories.
- Lessons: What did each high and low teach? Gratitude often shows up here.
- Dreams recheck: Which goals still matter? Which no longer deserve your time?
- Thrive zone: What energizes you? Plan to do more of it—on purpose.
- Wither zone: What drags you down? Stop, delegate, or hire it out.
This isn’t therapy. It’s traction. Writing clarifies. Clarifying changes decisions.
“Even in the difficulties, we can find gratitude—not for them necessarily, but for the lessons learned.”
Why This Works
Most plans fail because they stack wishful goals on top of ignored friction. The “thrive/wither” split exposes where momentum lives and where it dies. In my experience with turnarounds and growth coaching, this single move—owning what gives life and what steals it—separates durable growth from burnout.
Some will argue it’s better to “move fast” and fix on the fly. Speed helps, but only when pointed at the right target. Velocity without direction is waste. This short review gives direction.
A Simple January Sprint
Once the audit is done, lock in a light, high-trust plan for January. Keep it simple and tangible.
- Pick one goal in your thrive zone and time-block it weekly.
- Pick one wither task and remove it—delegate, outsource, or stop.
- Schedule one weekly gratitude note to a person who helped you this year.
These actions create early wins without drama. Momentum is the point.
Hold It Loosely, Aim Firmly
We don’t know what 2026 will bring. What we can control is how we aim—and how tight we hold our plans.
“If we can hold things loosely and have an aim for what we want to accomplish, it’ll probably be a great year.”
My opinion: Bold goals matter less than honest reviews, tight focus on your thrive work, and steady gratitude. That trio beats hype every time.
Final Word
So, are you running to 2026 or from 2025? Choose to run to it—with clarity, not noise. Do the five-step reset. Make the January sprint. Practice gratitude daily. Then keep going, even when the water feels cold.
Stay frosty, my friends. Let’s make 2026 count.
