I normally write on business goals; but being the first of the year here is my take on personal goal setting.

Every January, people make New Year’s resolutions. By mid-February, most are forgotten.

That’s not because you are undisciplined. It’s because resolutions are often reactive and people simply take on too many.

At home, we don’t do resolutions.

We set personal goals using a simple framework (note, we avoid the more complicated “Wheel of Life” systems that focus on seven or more different categories).

Our framework has just four quadrants to keep things focused and fun.

BE. DO. GO. HAVE.

Over the holidays, my wife and I were up in the Georgia mountains. We went to a new hotspot (eating at the bar) and jotted down our goals and dreams for the coming year.

We started with BE.

Who do you want to BE in 2026?

Before asking what you want to accomplish, start with a more foundational question: Who do you want to be?

This can apply to any role in your life—leader, parent, spouse, business owner, friend. You choose the lens.

Last year, my focus was professional. I wanted to be a better leader to my leaders and a stronger coach to my coaches.

This year, my goals are more personal. One is becoming a mentor in my city to local youth who want to pursue an entrepreneurial path.

I also want to be more physically fit without constantly hurting myself—I will approach my health with discipline instead of intensity.

When you get clear on who you want to be, your goals stop being arbitrary.

What do you want to DO?

Once BE is clear, DO becomes easier.

A personal goal of mine is to do wheel-to-wheel racing, which will require a fully caged race car and a physical exam for licensing. And as a father, I want to do more hands-on projects with my daughter who lives nearby.

My wife and I also wrote down some shared “do” goals.

What would yours include? To help you brainstorm, here is a starter list:

• Establishing a weekly planning rhythm
• Hiring a personal trainer to bring consistency
• Regular one-on-one time with your spouse or children
• Reading, journaling, or meditating consistently
• Delegating and coaching more, instead of holding onto everything

The key is alignment and connectivity to your other goals.

Where do you want to GO?

GO is about direction and experience.

Last year, we took our family to Venice to celebrate my wife’s milestone birthday. The midnight opera in nearby Verona was a highlight. This year, I’d like to visit my great-grandfather’s homeland in Calabria, Italy.

Where do you want to go in 2026? Think about travel, new environments, professional growth experiences, or personal retreats.

Growth comes from movement and exposure. So get going.

Finally: What Do You Want to HAVE?

This is where some people start, but it works best when it comes last.

HAVING goals don’t need to be purely material.

For my wife and me, they include deepening life experiences—a sauna at our mountain house, a caged race car for me—but also stronger family relationships.

Pro Tip: Like strategic planning, even personal goals benefit from a quarterly focus.

What do you want to HAVE more of in 2026—peace, margin, health, things, financial stability, or skills?

Let yourself dream.

Simple Beats Complicated

Give yourself permission to take a simple approach: find a partner, exchange ideas, and build momentum together. It makes a huge difference.

Note: I did set one resolution this year—removing negative people from my life. I had to do this once before, years ago, and the need surfaced again. I’ve already taken action, and it feels good.

A door closes and a window opens.

Happy New Year!

Jeffrey Scott