Before You Set Goals for 2026: Start With What’s Still True

Feedback or Questions? Send us a text!

1 BIG IDEA
Before you step into a new year or set a single goal, pause long enough to name what’s still true. Identity-level truths don’t flip with the calendar. They anchor your leadership, give you direction, and help you move into 2026 with intention rather than urgency.

3 WAYS TO APPLY THIS

• Write down one truth about who you are right now. Use it as an orientation point, not a performance metric.
• Identify the Core Value that refused to be negotiated this year and let it guide your next decisions.
• Notice the thread or direction that keeps resurfacing and allow it to quietly shape your approach to the new year.

3 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF

1. What truth about yourself kept resurfacing this year?
2. Which Core Value remained non-negotiable, even when circumstances shifted?
3. What thread—however faint—keeps tugging you toward 2026?

GO DEEPER
Core Values Resources:
Blueprint (Free Download): https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/corevaluesexercise
Digital Course: https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/values
Coaching: https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/core-values-beta
Healthy Boundaries Make Happy Holidays: https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/healthyboundaries 

Missed Live2Lead? You can still experience it online through LeaderPass ($79).
Watch the keynotes and leadership lessons anytime through February 2026:
https://leaderpass.com/pass/live2lead/host/?ref=RHYBTBBY

PREFER YouTube?
Catch the full episode → https://youtu.be/cjhNz8eSI00

PROUD PARTNERS OF STAND TALL & OWN IT

PodMatch: https://joinpodmatch.com/theintentionaloptimist

Liz Wilcox Email Marketing Membership: https://lizwilcox.com?aff=andrea 

LET’S CONNECT
Instagram + LinkedIn → @theintentionaloptimist
Email → [e-mail]
Podcast Hub → theintentionaloptimist.com/podcast
YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@intentionaloptimist

ENJOYING THE SHOW? LEAVE A RATING & REVIEW
Apple → Scroll down on the podcast page, hit 5-stars, and write a quick review.
Podchaser (Android) → podchaser.com/podcasts/stand-tall-own-it-empowering-p-1406762