Using Personal Reflection to Plan an Intentional 2026

We all know the drill.

The year wraps up, and suddenly our calendars are filled with words like strategy, goals, and vision boards.

And while that planning energy can be exciting, if we’re honest, sometimes it feels a little forced. Like we’re supposed to tie the year up in a neat bow when maybe just maybe, it didn’t feel that tidy. But before you dive into what’s next, take a moment to pause with intention.

We believe reflection isn’t about labeling your year as “good” or “bad.” It’s about getting curious. Noticing. Asking the right questions so you can step into the next year with more awareness and intention, not just a longer to-do list.

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Step 1: Start with how you feel, not what you did

Instead of jumping straight into wins and losses, take a breath and ask:

• What felt most life-giving this year?

• When did I feel most like myself?

• When did I feel drained or disconnected?

Your emotions are data. They tell you where you were in alignment and where you might have been pushing against something that no longer fits.

Step 2: Reflect on your growth, not your grind

Our culture rewards “doing.” But what if you measured your year by how you grew instead?

• Maybe you had hard conversations you used to avoid.

• Maybe you asked for help.

• Maybe you paused before reacting.

That’s growth. And it’s worth celebrating.

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Step 3: Reconnect with your purpose

We talk a lot about how leadership starts with self-awareness. It’s about understanding what drives you, your values, your impact, your “why.”

As you look ahead, ask with intention:

• What do I say my values are, and did I live them out this year? If not, what “new” values might I add to my list instead?

• What do I want to make more room for?

• What do I want to release?

• What kind of leader, teammate, or human do I want to be in 2026?

This kind of reflection shifts us from chasing outcomes to creating alignment where goals become extensions of who we are, not boxes to check.

Step 4: Make space for the people part

It’s my personal belief that we are created to be in community with others, and though it can be hard sometimes, it makes life more full. Whether you lead a team, a family, or simply yourself, take time to consider your relationships this year.

• Who helped you stretch, grow, or stay grounded?

• Who might need your support next year?

• What conversations do you want to have (or finally stop avoiding)?

Connection fuels performance. When we center people, ourselves included, the rest tends to follow.

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Step 5: Choose one intentional action

You don’t need a 25-step plan for 2026. Choose one small, meaningful action that aligns with your reflections. Or, as one of my recent clients described to me, what’s a “theme” you want to hone in on this year? Maybe it’s:

• Creating a ritual of weekly reflection

• Starting meetings with gratitude

• Practicing curiosity when conflict arises

• Embracing adventure and trying new things

• Looking to cultivate more depth in your relationships

Small, intentional shifts often spark the biggest transformations.

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A final thought

As this year closes, don’t rush to reinvent yourself. 

Reflection isn’t about erasing or changing what was, it’s about acknowledging your story so you can write the next chapter with clarity and confidence.

So before you plan the next big thing, pause. Reflect. The answers you’re looking for might not be in your planner, they might be within you.

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At Wayfinders Leadership, we build spaces for conversations like this to keep unfolding, inside teams, in leadership circles, and right here in our community.

If you want to stay part of that conversation, subscribe to our blog or reach out and tell us what this reflection opened up for you. We’d genuinely love to hear it.