Start the Year Off Right: How to Make This The Greatest Year of Your Life

First of all, I would like to take a moment to wish you a Happy New Year! Regardless of what did or did not happen in 2025, we have crossed over into 2026, and you have been blessed with the gift of a fresh start. What comes of this year will be determined by the choices you make and the commitments that you keep. As you know, I am always devoted to helping you start the year off right. I hope these insights will empower you to make adjustments, align for success, and achieve your goals in 2026. Most of all, I hope these insights will empower you to evolve into the next best version of yourself.

1. A new year means nothing with an old mindset. For many people, their bodies entered 2026, but they still have the same mindset that they had in 2025. If this year is going to be different for you, then you have got to upgrade your thinking. That means that you must be willing to interrupt patterns, uproot toxic thoughts, and reprogram your mind for success and prosperity. Yesterday's paradigm cannot contain tomorrow's possibilities. Before you embark upon a quest to set goals and cast vision, you need to address your mind. Stinking thinking is one of the greatest barriers to transformation. You cannot afford to allow your thinking to trap you in destructive cycles and rob you of lasting change. Make this the year that you give attention to your mind so that you can manifest unlimited possibilities.

2. A new year demands new decisions. While the mindset piece is important, what most people fail to realize is that we live in a decision domain. That means that every choice you make is constructing your world. Many people walk around as if they are mad at the world. However, what they are really mad at is their bad choices. Bad choices birth toxic cycles. If you want to make this the greatest year of your life, then you must first decide that this will be the greatest year of your life. In other words, you must choose differently if you want to create different outcomes in 2026 and beyond. If you do what you have always done, then you cannot be surprised when you get what you have always gotten. If nothing changes, then you cannot expect anything about your life to change. Many years ago, I came to the realization that I am always one choice away from changing my life. If my choices have brought me to a place that I do not like, then I always have the ability to make another choice and choose another course for my life. Every choice shapes the trajectory of your life and ultimately determines your outcomes.

3. A new year requires new vision. People are quick to proclaim "new year, new. me." However, when I study their habits, the reality is that a new year often just results in more of the old them. Why is that? Most people live their lives without a clear vision. When you do not have a vision for your life, you become a victim of circumstances and a product of your environment. In other words, you start to become a player in the unfolding of someone else's vision. Many people go into a new year with mantras and affirmations. However, for decades, I have always entered a new year with a clear vision. Your vision is the roadmap for your life and the catalyst for all future possibilities. Spend some time writing out your life vision. This vision should include your personal goals and aspirations, your professional goals, your health goals, etc. If you do not have a vision for your life, then you should be surprised when you live without direction and without results. Your vision dictates your focus, directs your energy, and defines your priorities. When you live with a clear vision, you are not easily distracted, and you are able to increase your productivity exponentially. Vision is the only legitimate route into your future. Your vision should guide every aspect of your life.

4. A new year demands new associations. If you have followed my life and work for any length of time, then you have heard me talk about your relationship constellation. When I look around the world today, so many people just carelessly connect with other people. They do not have mutual goals or interests. Unfortunately, people often connect with people who do not have the capacity for them. I learned the power of connection many years ago. When I discovered this principle, I made a decision that I would always associate higher. In other words, any relationship that was not improving and expanding my life was a relationship that was unnecessary. We should love people and want the best for them. However, if you are serious about honoring your potential, then you must associate higher. You must find your tribe of action takers and play makers. You need people who will push your limits, challenge your excuses, and demand excellence from you. Average associations will keep you mediocre, but they will never result in mastery. Your associations are deciding your destiny.