Is 2026 Ready for You?
- Brainz Magazine
- Jan 12
- 4 min read
Anne-Sophie Gossan, founder of Inner Spark Coaching, supports individuals going through career transitions so they find meaningful direction, reignite their spark, and thrive. She brings calm, clarity, and deep empathy, and asks the questions that unlock their truths while holding space for both vulnerability and growth.
So, here we go again. A new year. Fresh calendars. Bold intentions. But the real question isn’t what your New Year’s resolutions are. It’s this, "Is 2026 ready for you?" If New Year’s resolutions work for you, then honestly, brilliant. Keep going. But let’s be honest, for most people, they don’t. And it’s not because we lack willpower or discipline. It’s usually because those resolutions aren’t anchored in anything meaningful.
Simon Sinek talks about the importance of starting with why, because when the why isn’t clear, the how quickly falls apart. New Year’s resolutions are a perfect example of this. They often focus on what we want to do differently, without ever addressing why it matters in the first place.
Resolutions tend to sound good in January and feel like a burden by February.
Why resolutions fall apart
I know this because I’ve been there.
In the past, I’d set New Year’s resolutions and then quietly forget about them. Not immediately, more like a gradual fall into obscurity. A few weeks in, the motivation would slip. Looking back, I can see why.
Some of those goals weren’t rooted in anything deep. Some existed because everyone else was making resolutions, so I felt I should too, jumping on the bandwagon rather than making a conscious decision. Others were just vague ideas, never fully cemented in my mind or connected to the life I actually wanted.
Without a clear why, even the best intentions turn into pressure, guilt, and eventually something we give up.
So instead of asking, “What should I change?” Try asking, “What actually matters to me, and why?” That’s where things start to shift. And that’s when things can get really exciting.
Three questions to set the tone for 2026
Before rushing ahead, pause for a moment. Grab a notebook. This part matters more than you think.
“Write it down. Written goals have a way of transforming wishes into wants, can’ts into cans, dreams into plans, and plans into reality. Don’t just think it. Ink it!” – Michael Korda
What habits or mindsets are you ready to leave behind?
Think about the patterns that drain your energy, chip away at your confidence, or keep you playing small. Here’s my “goodbye, not sorry” list for 2026:
I am calling out imposter syndrome when it shows up.
I am loosening the grip of self-doubt.
I am taking a more honest look at relationships that feel one-sided. Giving endlessly without receiving isn’t sustainable, and recognising that is a form of growth, not selfishness.
What do you want to bring into 2026 that genuinely energises you?
Not what sounds impressive. Not what you should want. What actually lights you up? For me, that looks like:
Being braver.
Saying no to distractions that don’t deserve my time.
Letting go of what I can’t control, always a work in progress. More intention. Less noise.
Where do you want to be by the end of 2026?
This is where clarity really comes into play. To give you an example, this is how I approached it:
I’ve defined my boundaries and what balance genuinely looks like for me, not someone else’s version of it.
I’ve set an ambitious but achievable financial goal.
I’m clear about how I want to be seen, knowing that this directly impacts how I show up for myself every single day.
Because confidence isn’t just about how others perceive us. It’s about alignment with who we say we are. Be specific. Be honest. Be bold.
Make it visible, make it real
As mentioned above, write it all down and keep it at the front of your mind. When distractions creep in, and they will, clarity becomes your anchor. It helps you focus on what actually moves the needle and quietly lets go of the rest.
Growth doesn’t come from doing everything. It comes from doing the right things consistently.
As Dory famously said in Finding Nemo, and yes, I do love highbrow quotes.
“Finding my purpose is my greatest adventure.”
It can be yours too. And it doesn’t have to be loud, dramatic, or perfect. It just has to be intentional.
If this resonates, take ten quiet minutes this week to answer these questions honestly. No filters, no pressure. And if you’d like support in finding clarity, setting boundaries, or reconnecting with your why, let’s explore together. Book a call here.
Read more from Anne-Sophie Gossan
Anne-Sophie Gossan, Transformational Career Coach
Anne-Sophie Gossan spent 25+ years in the corporate world navigating high-stakes environments and career transitions. She spent years building a career and a home, juggling the demands of raising two boys while holding down a very demanding job.
When redundancy struck, it shook her confidence and identity in ways she hadn’t anticipated. She decided to qualify as a coach and to create Inner Spark Coaching: Reimagine Your Story, a safe space where her clients can reclaim the unstoppable version of themselves that’s always been there.
Through coaching, conversation, and deep transformation, she guides individuals into their next chapter with clarity, confidence, alignment, and renewed purpose.
