Moody Monday: Looking back Looking Forward - Goals for 2026

 

For all of the 40 years that I worked for someone else, I was forced to set goals each year, even worse when I worked in sales and marketing in the homebuilding industry, someone else set goals for me, of how much we needed in gross revenue so that their year end bonus would be enough to pay for the new Porsche they had their eye on. The last 15 years that I worked goal setting was based on the goal being specific, measurable and realistic.  There were goal areas, such as writing, personal development, and skills development. The overall focus was on establishing a list of things to accomplish, that we knew we could accomplish. A roadmap for the year, to travel, on roads we knew existed.  This model works for me. 

These are not New Year's resolutions of unrealistic objectives, like lose 100 pounds, be 20 years younger, or create a billion dollar business.  They are things that are within my ability to do. By setting a list I have a plan, and at the end of the year and can see how I have done. 

Last December I set the following list of goals: 

• Keep walking at least 60 minutes per day, on average 6 days per week.  Accomplished. 
• Read 50 or more books. Accomplished - the reading list is tomorrow.  
• One more bucket list item (Scotland in early May.) Accomplished 
• Travel I think will be about 45 nights this year. 40 Nights 
• Blog daily, I missed one day in 2015, and not a day since. Accomplished 
• Practice arts, painting, photography. Accomplished
• Submit for at least one arts showcase. Accomplished
• Try at least one new art. Accomplished - mixed media and printmaking.
• Ride a local bus. Failed 
• Finish the chapter on Identity Theft. Accomplished - the book should be out in the first quarter of 2026. 

Hence I accomplished most of these.  I traveled a few fewer nights than expected, 40 instead of 45. I went about 1/3 over budget on the May trip, and wimped out on a couple of trips I had thought about doing later in the year.  I still need to learn the local bus network. 

What are my goals for 2026? 

• Walk 60 minutes or more, at least 6 days per week. 
• Read at least a book per week, 52 for the year. 
• Travel, I expect travel nights to be between 35 and 40 this year. 
• Go to Mt. Vernon at least 25 times in the year.
• Publish at least three articles in the ABA Senior Lawyers Division Voice of Experience Journal (I have already committed to four topics.) 
• Paint, take photos, explore new media. 
• Organize the greeting card box, and send out 20 or more cards. 
• Pause at least once a week, to take stock of everything that works in my life. 

What are your plans for 2026?