Traction for 2026

What if you didn’t need resolutions this year? What if two simple practices could completely change the coming year for you?

Here’s what they are:

1) One clear theme for the year.
Pick one organizing theme that helps you refocus, retarget, and realign. Just one. It creates clarity. Filters decisions. Cuts noise.

Years ago, I started doing this. One of my first themes was simple: Traction.
I wouldn’t say yes to anything that didn’t move the needle on a business or personal goal. That one filter saved me hundreds of hours.

I have lots of ideas. And I used to chase too many that sounded productive—but led nowhere. Meetings. Projects. Conversations. With a little honesty, it was obvious they weren’t going anywhere.
I started cutting them out—and discovered I did gain serious traction.

This year’s theme? Margin Mastery.
It feels like I’m “losing ground” if I take time to recover. That’s false.

Without margin, physical, mental, emotional, I can’t show up sharp. I can’t be present for my clients or family. I can’t think deeply. I can’t leave room for unexpected opportunities.
If I don’t protect my margin, I lose ownership of my time. My calendar owns me.

So this year, I’m watching one thing:
If something threatens or consumes my margin, it gets changed or cut.

What will your theme be?
Not sure where to start? Pick the one that would create the most traction for you:

• Freedom (from firefighting)
• Margin
• Profitability
• Physical Health
• Conflict Resolution
• Weekends Free
• Big Jump (scale or succession)

You can’t get this wrong. Just pick the one that matters most for where you are.

2) Get good at “No.”
Most leaders don’t lack opportunities. They suffer from a lack of restraint.

Less effective leaders go wide. They pursue anything that catches their attention. But they mistake width, variety, or interest for depth and value.

High-performance leaders go narrow. They know that good opportunities aren’t innately the right opportunities. They know that not every problem is theirs to solve.

They learn to say “no” to good ideas and opportunities. And to time-wasters and energy drainers. You might need to say “no” to meetings, habits, diets, requests, or even relationships.

“No” creates clarity. It gives you your energy and time back. It protects the margin your priorities need to grow.

Two is all you need

These two practices, a clear theme and a disciplined “no”, will give you more focus, more energy, and more results than a dozen scattered resolutions.

Write your theme down. Share it with someone who’ll hold you to it. Keep it visible. (Mine’s taped to my laptop.)

That’s how 2026 becomes your inflection year. Whether it bends upward or sideways depends on the practices you choose.

Take good care,

Christian