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JOURNEY OF GRACE

LIFE & LEADERSHIP COACHING

Before You Set 2026 Goals, Do This First: A Leadership Reset for the New Year

December always arrives with a quiet invitation — a pause, a breath, a moment to reconnect with what matters before we turn the page. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned from decades of leading teams in high-pressure environments, it’s this:

 

If you want clarity in January, you must start with reflection in December.

 

Most people rush into the new year with big dreams and bigger expectations… and by Quitters Friday — the second Friday of January — they’re already falling behind.

Not because they lack discipline, but because they skipped the most important step:

Reflection.

Reflection Creates Clarity — And Clarity Creates Results

 

You can’t choose the right goals until you understand:

  • Why they matter,

  • How they align with your values, and

  • What you want this next season of your life and leadership to feel like.

 

Reflection helps you filter out the noise so you can focus on the few things that truly move your leadership forward.

It reconnects you to identity, purpose, and vision — the things that make goals stick.

 

Before setting results, ask yourself:

  • What worked this year?

  • What didn’t?

  • What energized me?

  • What drained me?

  • What values guided my decisions?

  • Where was I out of alignment?

 

This isn’t self-criticism.

This is leadership.

Once You Have Vision, You Set Results — Not Resolutions

 

Resolutions rely on willpower.

Results rely on strategy.

 

Once you’re clear on your why, you can finally define the what:

  • What are the top 1–3 results I want to achieve in 2026?

  • What would success look and feel like?

  • How will I know I'm on track?

 

And then you work backward from those results.

Work Backward the Right Way: Results → Actions → Feelings → Thoughts

 

Most people work forward: set the goal → hope motivation shows up.

Sustainable leadership works backwards.

 

1. Identify the specific actions required.

The real, sometimes uncomfortable actions:

  • Getting up at 5 a.m. to move your body

  • Having hard conversations with empathy

  • Delegating thoughtfully

  • Setting boundaries

  • Saying no when it aligns with your values

  • Prioritizing deep work or reflection

 

These actions create the change you want.

 

2. Identify the feelings that will fuel those actions.

Ask: What emotion will help me follow through?Determination? Courage? Calm? Empathy? Commitment?

You cannot guilt yourself into growth.You can lead yourself into it.

 

3. Identify the thoughts that create those supportive feelings.

Thoughts spark feelings. Feelings fuel action. Actions create results.

 

Examples:

  • “I am strong and capable.” → determination

  • “Future me is counting on present me.” → commitment

  • “This conversation will help us grow.” → empathy and clarity

  • “I care about this person as a human.” → courageous compassion

 

This is leadership from the inside out.

Anticipate the Stumbling Blocks (Because They Will Show Up)

 

Every meaningful goal comes with resistance:

  • Old habits

  • Doubt

  • Overwhelm

  • Distraction

  • Fear of disappointing others

  • Stress

  • Unrealistic expectations

 

Most plans fail not because the goal is wrong…but because the obstacles weren’t anticipated.

 

Ask:

  • What might derail me?

  • What support do I need?

  • What boundaries must I set?

  • What needs to change in my environment?

Then: Communicate Clearly

 

Clarity is powerful.

But clarity shared is transformational.

 

When you articulate your goals — and the why behind them — you gain:

  • Support from your family

  • Understanding from your team

  • Accountability from your community

  • Alignment with the people who matter

 

Leadership is not meant to be done alone.

Before You Step Into 2026… Pause. Reflect. Reset.

 

This year, don’t sprint into January with pressure and expectations.

Walk into it with clarity, alignment, strategy, and confidence.

 

When you lead yourself well, you lead others better.

A Leadership Reset for 2026

 

If you want support creating a strategic plan you’ll actually follow — with clarity, confidence, and sustainable leadership habits — I’m hosting a small-group, 4-week Leadership Reset this January.

 

It’s for leaders who want to start strong, stay aligned, and finish 2026 with results that matter.

 

Reach out for details!

 

 

Jen Brown is a former U.S. Diplomat and the Founder of Journey of Grace Coaching, where she helps business owners and leaders shift from overwhelm to intentional, values-driven leadership that strengthens teams and results.

 

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