I don’t like New Year’s resolutions—they’re too rigid. Eat one bag of the fries that you swore off, and suddenly you’ve failed. Time to start over.

I’m trying something different: identifying what I want to practice more. Think of it as a More/Less list—behaviors I want to expand and the stories I’m ready to release. And because I was raised in the corporate world, I’m including at least one concrete action for each.

I share this to prime the pump; I’d love to hear what you’re leaning into in 2026 and how your life will be different and better as a result.

1. Learning

The last couple of years I’ve been focused on volunteer Board work in the coaching arena and haven’t carved out time for my own learning. I find I’m most engaged and present to my work when I’m in a learning state. The leaders I most admire create learning cultures in their teams—and that starts with prioritizing their own development.

What I’m doing about it: I plan to achieve my MCC (Master Certified Coach) credential early in the year, then step into courses in relationship systems and conscious leadership. New learning is like hot french fries for me.

2. Being bold, thinking less

This one’s been on my list since the beginning of 2025. I have a tendency to stew over new ideas without action for too long. It’s rooted in a need to be liked; the story being, if I do something bold or different, people may judge me negatively. But I’ve found really good things happen when I lean more into my gut and slightly less into my head.

As leaders, we model for our teams whether it’s safe to experiment. When I overthink, I’m teaching caution. When I act on good ideas, I’m teaching courage.

So when I have a new idea in 2026, my intention is to take some action on it if the idea sticks around for more than a day.

3. Connections and relationships

I let busy-ness crowd out important relationships. I don’t tend to them in a way that would maintain and grow those connections. And the research is clear: the quality of our lives is largely driven by the quality of our relationships.

The leaders I most admire invest in relationships, from a genuine place. They understand that influence and impact flow through connection, not hierarchy. In 2026, I am planning to hold one deep conversation with an old friend per week.

4. Openness

Recent polarization has me defaulting to judgment and closed interpretation. My intention is to be open to new ideas and perspectives, and to look for good intention in others. I have a core belief that most people are genuinely trying to be good humans.

The best leaders I’ve coached actively seek perspectives that challenge their assumptions. They know their blind spots are exactly where the opportunities hide. I know I can learn from people and create a richer life by digging in to really understand them. What might I learn if I assumed good intent first?

5. Organizing for new experiences

I love new places, people, history, and cultures. But I’ve always put work first, squeezing travel into the margins. Last summer, Maggie and I finally took that trip we’d been postponing—and afterward, I couldn’t remember why it felt so hard to commit.

Leaders who expose themselves to new contexts—cultures, industries, ways of thinking—bring richer problem-solving to their work. Experience diversity fuels cognitive flexibility. In 2026, the adventures go on the calendar first, before I can use the ‘too busy, maybe next month’ excuse.

These are my five for 2026—though I’m certain the list will evolve. What are you choosing more of this year? I’d genuinely love to hear what you’re leaning into and why it matters.