I seriously can’t believe that we are already in November. It really feels like this year has been a bit of a blur. 2025 really has been a tough year on the business side, and it has triggered me to think about 2026 in a different way. As the year starts to wind down, I always started setting resolutions for the next year and beyond. But what if we redefine our approach and start embracing an anti-resolution mindset? This approach allows self-reflection and a focus on holistic well-being.
Intentions Over Resolutions
In the past, I would have jumped headfirst into ambitious goals, but now I am going to take November as a month of self-reflection. A time where I will reflect on the good, the bad, and the ugly of 2025. What did I do well, where can I be better, and what habits helped me and which hindered my growth? The plan is not to judge my past, but to understand what I want to carry with me into the new year and what I must leave behind. The plan is to set intentions and not resolutions, as intentions are more about how you feel rather than what you want to achieve.
Here are some intention steps:
Identify your core values. What is really important to you? Your health, your family, your religion, and anything else that is high on your priority list.
Once you have established your intentions, you need to break them down into manageable actions that will become habits. The key is to focus on small, achievable actions that can become part of your routine.
The Power of Subtraction
As you all know, I turned 50 this year, and I suddenly looked back for the first time in my life. I decided to look back with gratitude and not look back with regret. I am planning to write down three things every day that I am grateful for and then throw that in a jar. When I am feeling that work and life is getting a bit overwhelming, then I will pull out the jar and look at all the things that I am grateful for.
In life, we are often pushing for more and more, and actually, what we need is less. True preparation for the future is subtraction and not addition! You are creating a vacuum for growth in the future when you have a “kill list.” This is a list of things that you have to remove from your life so that you can be lighter and nimbler. That kill list could be one thing that is weighing you down and leaving you depressed and drained of energy. Surround yourself with positivity! Start curating spaces that support your intentions. Engage in conversations with positive friends, family, and groups. Embrace flexibility and hold strong opinions lightly.
I have no doubt that you will benefit from some of these tips, and I look forward to hearing the positive stories in 2026. Always remember that you are not alone and that there are people that truly care about you. Cultivate a sustainable mindset that allows genuine growth, and you will be well on your way to the best year ever!!
GET IN TOUCH
If you would like to get in touch with me about my key note presentation, Debunking Motivation, please send an email to corne@cornekrige.com. Visit my website to review my speaker sheet for more info. I also share my story on my social media pages on Facebook and LinkedIn.