Now that the new year has started, I’ve found myself thinking about 2026 in a slightly different way.

Not in the sense of detailed plans or neatly defined milestones.

More in terms of how I want to move forward, what I want to protect, and what I want to stay open to.

Somewhere along the way, one thought became pretty clear to me:

I don’t plan 2026 with rigid resolutions.

I plan it with boundaries and direction.

Not less ambition.
Not less drive.
Just more intention.

That’s not because I’ve stopped caring about progress.

Quite the opposite. The last year reminded me how quickly plans can change and how valuable flexibility really is.

This way of thinking also builds directly on reflections I shared toward the end of last year:

about visibility, proactivity, and staying grounded while moving forward.

Why I’m skipping classic resolutions this time…

…mostly because 2025 didn’t follow a clean script at all.

Things ended and started faster than expected.

Some decisions were well prepared, others emerged through conversations and timing.

Learning often happened while already moving.

What I’ve taken from that experience is not that planning is useless but that…

…overplanning can easily create pressure without adding clarity.

Rigid resolutions assume a stable environment.
Founder life (and honestly, most modern work) rarely offers that.

So instead of fixing outcomes too early, I’m focusing more on setting direction and defining boundaries..

What I mean by boundaries and direction

Boundaries help me decide what not to optimize for.

Direction helps me decide where to invest energy when options appear.

Together, they create a framework that’s flexible enough to adapt without feeling random.

For me, this approach feels calmer, more realistic, and more sustainable than a long list of must-haves for the year ahead.

Five principles I’m carrying into 2026

I do have goals for 2026.

I just try to define them as guiding principles rather than fixed targets. Here’s what that looks like for me right now:

1. Adding a product alongside consulting

I want to explore how my consulting work could be complemented by a more reusable, productized offering.

The exact shape isn’t fixed yet, but the intention is clear: leverage, scalability, and impact beyond one-to-one projects.

2. Keeping Linelia healthy and growing deliberately

Growth matters. But not at any cost.

My focus is on sustainability, fit, trust, and energy, letting growth follow quality work instead of chasing volume.

3. Staying visible without losing authenticity

Writing, sharing, and connecting will remain part of my rhythm.

Not as constant self-promotion, but as a way to reflect, exchange perspectives, and stay present.

4. Staying open to opportunities that emerge from my network

Some of the most interesting ideas don’t come from plans, but from conversations.

I want to stay curious and receptive when new opportunities or business ideas surface without forcing anything.

5. Keeping space for life outside work

Sports, hobbies, family, recovery.

Not as a reward after productivity, but as part of what makes good work possible in the first place.

None of these are rigid promises.

They’re more like a compass.

And as you might already know me…of course the will have KPIs at the one or other point.

Micro-Practice:
Instead of writing a long list of resolutions, try this…

Write down:
Three directions you want to lean into as well as three boundaries you don’t want to cross in 2026

If a decision supports both, it’s probably a good one.

Direction over control (with momentum)

Planning 2026 this way doesn’t mean lowering ambition. Quite the opposite.

For me, 2026 will also be a year of focus, momentum, and pushing hard, just with clearer boundaries and intention than in 2025.

What I like about this approach is that it leaves room.

• Room to adjust.
• Room to say no.
• Room to notice when something feels off or surprisingly right.
• Direction over control.
• Momentum without burnout.

That’s how I want to move through 2026.

I’m curious:

Are you entering 2026 with fixed goals or with boundaries and direction?

And as always, conversations come first. If you’re curious how I support organizations and leaders in their own transformation journeys, you can find more about my work here: Linelia’s services.

And of course, I’m always happy to stay in touch this year.

If you’d like to exchange ideas, reflect together, or explore potential collaboration, feel free to reach out via my contact page or connect with me directly on LinkedIn.