Stop waiting

Hey you,

It’s 2026, and I know you’re already scrambling with your “2026 Goals”. Before you start working on it, I think we should talk. I recently learnt a hack that I think might help you when it comes to goal-setting for the new year. It’s very simple:

Stop waiting.

Stop waiting for the “perfect” new year/month.

Truth is, January is just another month. The only time you really have to set things in motion is now. If you wait for a calendar change, you might risk starting the year stuck.

Here’s how I’m thinking about my 2026 goals: I’m picking the core parts of my life I want to develop, then leaving room for life to happen.

I want to go deeper into project management, Learn more about business operations so I can be more valuable, read more because I’ve lost my flair for writing, have more fun and go for NYSC.

Notice how these aren’t rigid tasks or deadlines. They’re themes. They give the year shape without boxing me in. No matter what life throws my way, location changes, unexpected opportunities, curveballs, I can adjust the details while staying true to the core things that matter to me.

That’s the key: set themes, not walls. Pick the big areas you want to grow, then start small now. One tiny step today matters more than waiting for a “perfect start.”

So here’s my question for you: what are your core themes for the year? It doesn't have to be a full to-do list. Just the parts of your life you want to nourish and grow. And once you know them, pick one small step you can take today toward at least one theme. That’s your starting point.

You don’t need a calendar to give yourself permission to start. You just need a little courage and a single step. That’s enough.

With hope,

-Golie from MANI