Over the past few weeks, I keep getting messages from people saying, “I can’t wait to see your goals list for 2026! It’s one of my favorite things you post!”
And I had to sort of chuckle and then also realize that I’m possibly going to shock some people with a decision I made in November with the encouragement of my husband and my business coach: I’m not setting any goals for 2026!
I know! It’s not like me at all.
I Have Been Goal-Setting Since I Was a Tween
In fact, as I was reflecting on goal-setting, I realized that I likely started setting goals when I was 11 years old. The thought of a fresh start to a new year… it was thrilling to me. And — being the overly ambitious person that I am! — I would whip out a clean sheet of paper and make a long list of big audacious goals.
I loved the fresh start. The clean slate. The chance to dream big dreams. And set BIG goals.
Goals Stopped Serving Me and Starting Enslaving Me
The problem was, over time, those goals didn’t serve me; they started to enslave me. Like, I felt like I needed to try to hit them and I’d often feel really discouraged or down on myself if I didn’t.
The other thing I didn’t often do with goal-setting was to really consider the season of life I was in. I would just get so excited about all the things I wanted to do and aim for that I’d make these huge goals for myself without counting the costs… as in, how much time do I realistically have to accomplish extra things this coming year?
I also wouldn’t factor in interruptions or the unexpected. No, I was just focused on all the things I wanted to do or felt like I should do. I tried setting only weekly or monthly goals instead of yearly goals, and that worked better, but I still found I was pushing myself really hard (too hard!) to try to meet the goals.
Goals Became Unhealthy and Hurtful For Me
As I’ve talked about on here, I started working with a dietitian midway through 2025. She ended up changing my life and helping me to see so many dysfunctional beliefs and patterns I had in my life. One of those was pushing through instead of paying attention to my body’s cues for things like hunger and sleep.
Slowly, as I started to begin noticing my body’s cues for things like food and rest, I realized how I had really neglected my health and myself — especially the past five years as there’s been so much going on in our lives.
Motivated by this, I found a functional medicine doctor to help me become healthier. She really challenged me that I wasn’t taking care of myself and that my bloodwork and health were showing significant signs of this. She told me that I might feel okay now, but if I continue on in the pattern I’m in, my body is going to start falling apart in 15 years.
The Process of Scaling Back and Saying No
This was a true wakeup call for me. I started looking at ways I could scale back my responsibilities and commitments to allow for more down time, more rest, more time to recharge, more sleep, and less go-go-go in my life.
I began tracking how much hours I was working each week and was shocked to discover I was almost always working at least 50-60 hours (sometimes more!) I love what I do but no wonder my body was not loving my pace of life.
As I considered what it would mean for me to really pare down to only working 40 hours a week and to start having a lot more breathing room and space in my life, I knew the only way to do this would be to say no to a whole lot of things and to stop pushing myself to achieve ambitious things for a season.
Untethering Myself From Finding My Value in What I Accomplish
I am in the process of untethering myself from finding my value in my work and accomplishments. I had no idea how addicted I was to work and busyness and doing.
It’s been scary and weird to have wide open spaces in my day and life. To go into 2026 without a big list of ambitious goals. Other than knowing I’m launching a new book in the fall and running the business and taking care of my family, my marriage, and myself, I don’t have any big things I’m chasing after, pursuing, or building.
It feels unsettling and quiet. And also, exactly where I’m supposed to be. I feel like I am going to learn and grow so much this year and it’s going to be so healing for me in many, many ways. I’m excited to see what the next 12 months hold!
Want to hear more about this change? Jesse and I recorded a podcast where I share more in-depth on Why I’m Not Setting Goals This Year. Listen to it here.
An Important Word on Goals
Do I think goals are bad or wrong? Absolutely not. They just aren’t serving me well in the season I am in. If you are in a season where goals are motivating and exhilarating and healthy, please set them! And I will be here cheering you on!
I have a feeling that this not-setting-goals thing is just a season and I will likely be back to setting goals after this year. But I’m not thinking of that right now. For now, I’m just soaking up the lessons I need to learn right now in this quieter season.
If you have thoughts, feedback, or questions, I’d love to hear!
I have read your blog from the very beginning! I really appreciate this post more than you know! Last year, I began the process of investing in myself…. my health, my mind, my spirit…. I, like everyone else probably, in a day and age where the messages, especially as we grow older, are SCREAMING at us to be skinnier, have perfect hair, erase every wrinkle, have an aesthetic house, and then keep on presenting every achievement on social media for validation…
however, I went back to being a nurse in the hospital setting and I can tell you, the current culture is literally killing us….
so, at 55, I desire to be healthy, to have a healthy body, healthy relationships, a healthy mind, and a healthy spirit…and I put little out on social media… my word this year is “connection”…. to the people and things that strengthen my faith and my spirit…
I just really wanted to tell you that I think you are amazing and inspiring!! oh….and I’m wearing wider leg jeans, too…. life changing!! happy new year!!
Thank you for this encouragement — and this real-life reminder of what pushing ourselves actually can do to ourselves.
Wow thank you for sharing this!!! I think the hardest goal to hit for ambitious people is slowing down and taking care of yourself and your family! So may God help you in that! Do you mind sharing more about your business coach? Where did you find her? What did business coaching do for you? Would like to know more about that! Thank you! I’ve been really blessed by your blog!
I need to do a whole podcast episode on that sometime, but Alli has been such a HUGE encouragement to me! I hired her in August of 2023 and it’s been worth every penny! She has given me such wise advice and feedback, asked such good questions, walked me through some big business changes, and challenged me to really be a much stronger leader and healthier individual. I am so very grateful for her and all she has poured into my life! If you want to get a taste of her coaching, follow her on Instagram or listen to her podcast: https://alliworthington.com/
I’ve been a follower since before Silas was born. I’m a little ahead of you in life, my kids are in the early/mid 20’s and on their own. I do pray that you do slow down this year…you have set goals to do this in past though this time it sounds like you have a lot more support around you. I do hope you learn how to enjoy your year. I can feel a little directionless without goals and then don’t feel good about how I spend my time, so I understand why goals are important. Enjoy your time and enjoy those little kids in such fun ages!
Thank you! I feel like I finally have a really strong support team around me that I haven’t had before (and with the new business hires this past year, it’s made a HUGE difference in my work load — especially now that everyone is trained!) and I’ve actually slowed WAY down the last few months and it’s been so weird and wild and wonderful… a huge adjustment to be working so many fewer hours and to have so much breathing room in my life, but also so, so good! I already feel like a different person and things have just started!
That’s so great!
Woah! So stunningly beautiful. Thank you. The sharing, the decisions, the mindset. The expressions on your family photos simply tell your story of relief. That first photo of you and Jesse 🥹. Now that is a joy filled man. And your face is simply radiant. Congratulations!
Please forgive me, but I snorted my coffee as I read this.
“…Other than knowing I’m launching a new book in the fall and running the business and taking care of my family, my marriage, and myself, I don’t have any big things I’m chasing after, pursuing, or building….”
Haha! That’s what my coach keeps reminding me… that I have plenty on my plate already without adding anything extra. And I keep saying, “But it feels so quiet and weird.” And she’s like, “And that’s exactly what you need right now!”
👊♥️🙏🤪
I love this! Long time follower here! So excited for you!
I found it interesting that you mentioned “launching a new book in the fall and running the business and taking care of my family, my marriage, and myself”, you don’t have anything going on. Um, that list is a pretty big list!
That’s what my coach keeps reminding me! She’s like, “You know, just living your normal life is a lot… you don’t have to add on a bunch of things and burn yourself to a crisp.” But it feels very quiet compared to my usually ambitious lists and plans!!
You actually did set a goal this year—to not set goals.
Yes! That’s what Jesse told me — and I think it feels like a challenge and a complete retraining of my brain and mindset!
Hahahahaha
When I saw that you weren’t setting goals this year I was surprised but it also spoke to where I am at. I have been working with a coach for the last five years and we did all the things….. goals setting, habit tracking, mindset and more but this year she suggested no goals. This feels off and outside my comfort zone. I strive on structure and routine and having a plan. I was in survival mode. So 2026, will look different, focus on healing. Moving from surviving to thriving. Creating space for stillness and ease.
I hope it is a year of refreshment and restoration for you!
I found myself in a similar place a couple years ago. Instead of setting goals, I chose a skill per month that I wanted to learn to do. They were simple things (learning to make things like yogurt and corn tortillas, hand lettering, starting plants from cuttings, etc), but being intentional about it allowed me to learn new things without feeling overwhelmed or discouraged if it didn’t work out.
Hope 2026 is a time of rest for you!
I love that! I created a Fun List of ideas of things that sound life-giving that I can refer to if I need some inspiration, but told myself there was zero expectation for me to do anything on it!
Love it–this decision and fruit of it comes off as very peaceful. Enjoy this season!
Thank you for your encouragement!
This may be my new favorite post of yours. I am several years older than you but you continually humble, challenge and convict me with how closely you listen to the Lord and are led by the Spirit. I am so encouraged by this post. In Feb, I left a ministry job of nearly 30 years and thught I’d lost my identity–but this has been the best year of my life. Without my ministry performance and productivity to define me, I finally found my true security as God’s daughter and it has been so freeing. I have decided to extend my year of rest and just allow Him to lead. Thank you for the affirmation and encouragement!
I love that so much! Thank you for sharing — and thank you for your kind encouragement!