Make 2026 Count — Without Overwhelm or Gimmicks

How to set meaningful goals and avoid the trap of busyness

At this time of year, advice is everywhere. Goal setting. Vision boards. Life hacks.

I’ve even contributed to the tradition myself. For over a decade, I ran a free in-person seminar every January on how to make this your best year yet.

Always in mid-January — because by then, most New Year’s resolutions had already fizzled. I had large audiences. And I saw, again and again, how much people longed for something deeper than slogans.

I haven’t run these sessions since the pandemic. But the questions they explored are more relevant than ever.

In fact, just before Covid, a woman at one of those events introduced me to a concept I now use regularly — the 12 Week Year. It was new to me then, but very close to what I was already teaching. Since that conversation, its creator Brian Moran has been a guest on my Leading People podcast twice.

All this has made me reflect on what really makes planning work. And what doesn’t.

Some people present goal-setting as a magic bullet. In reality, setting and achieving meaningful goals is complex. You’re not just plotting tasks on a timeline. You’re engaging your identity, your habits, and your capacity for change.

Here are a few things I’ve learned from coaching and leading over the years:

• There’s no one-size-fits-all. Smart planning is about principles — not prescriptions.
• Reviewing matters. Before you rush into 2026, take stock of what worked in 2025. What made the difference?
• Overwhelm is real. Big goals often backfire because they short-circuit the brain’s capacity for clarity and calm. Chunking is your friend.
• SMART goals aren’t always smart. The classic acronym is useful — but not complete. Add meaning, emotion, and relevance.
• Habits beat ambition. It’s not just about starting new things — it’s about unlearning old ones.
• Execution is king — it moves you forward and provides valuable feedback.
• Shit happens! You need the capacity to adapt to unexpected situations. I call this Adaptive Capacity.

In this edition of The Leading Edge, I’m sharing insights from two guests on the Leading People podcast - Brian Moran and Malissa Clark to help you plan smarter, act with intention — and stay grounded in what really matters.

Why 12 weeks is better than 12 months for getting real results

Brian Moran says most annual goal setting doesn’t work — because the time horizon is too long. The brain drifts. Motivation wanes. Urgency disappears.

His solution?

Treat every 12 weeks as a year.

You still have a vision — but you execute in focused bursts. Fewer goals. More action. Sharper feedback.

Test this out: Pick 1–3 key outcomes to achieve by the end of March. Define clear weekly actions. Measure progress weekly. Adjust fast.

“Execution happens in the short term — not in your someday goals. 12 weeks gives you urgency and focus without burnout.”

🎧 Listen here: https://leadingpeople.buzzsprout.com/1496338/episodes/9616489-what-could-you-achieve-in-just-12-weeks

Why being busy doesn’t mean you’re being effective

Dr. Malissa Clark’s research shows that many professionals wear busyness as a badge of honour — even when it hurts their wellbeing and performance. She calls it “workaholism” disguised as dedication.

In reality, constantly being “on” doesn’t make you more valuable — it makes you more vulnerable.

The key to sustainable success?

Boundaries, recovery, and redefining what productivity really means.

Take this into account when setting your goals.

Test this out: Replace “How busy am I?” with “What impact did I create this week?” You’ll start to shift from effort to effectiveness.

“You can’t do your best work when you’re constantly exhausted. Rest is a performance strategy, not a reward.”

🎧 Listen here: https://leadingpeople.buzzsprout.com/1496338/episodes/16310697-why-busyness-isn-t-aways-good-for-business

Quick Wins to Achieve More in 2026

• Use 12-week sprints to focus your year — not just annual goals.
• Review your 2025 goals before setting new ones. Learn from patterns.
• Question the “busy = productive” myth.
• Add meaning and emotion to your goals — not just tasks.
• Honour your capacity. Sustainable success starts with rest and clarity.

Want to explore this further?

If you’re designing learning journeys or leadership development plans for 2026, now is the time to pause, reflect, and reset.

At Wide Circle, we help organisations and leaders craft strategies and habits that actually stick — combining performance-based coaching, learning transfer science, and brain-based facilitation methods.

Explore our services: https://www.widecircle.eu

Let’s Start a Conversation

Which of these insights most resonated with you?

What helps you stay focused and sane this time of year?

Have you ever tried the 12 Week Year — or a shorter sprint-based planning cycle?

How do you define real productivity?

Leave a comment or message me — I’d love to hear how you’re approaching 2026.

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