3 Questions You Must Ask Yourself for 2026

Grab some hot cocoa, sit by the fire, and answer these 3 questions as you begin the New Year.

Hey there,

Happy New Year!

It’s that time of year again. You’re probably thinking about goals, resolutions, and all the things you want to accomplish in 2026. But before you start adding to your plate, I want to offer you a different framework.

Today, I’m going to share…

The 3 Questions You Must Ask Yourself for 2026

Most people enter the new year focused entirely on addition.

They want to add new habits, new goals, new commitments.

But here’s the problem: you can’t keep adding and adding without eventually running out of room. Your life becomes cluttered with half-finished projects, almost-hobbies, and a disappointing string of unmet goals. Before you know it, you’re exhausted and wondering why all your ambition isn’t translating into results.

The truth is, growth isn’t just about addition.

It’s also about subtraction and protection.

I’ve been sharing three simple questions with some of my coaching clients. Right now, I’m “taking my own medicine”, sitting by a fire with some hot cocoa, reflecting on them for myself. Since these have been helpful for my clients, I figured I’d share these 3 questions with you and shed some light on a little bit of the clarity they’re bringing to my life.

Grab a cup of coffee (or hot cocoa by the fireplace) and spend some time with these:

Question 1: What Has to Die in 2026?

If you’re like me, there are problems in your life that you have let linger for too long.

There are areas that you keep thinking, “I’ll deal with that someday,” but their dead weight is weighing you down and wearing you out. It’s time to put them out of their misery. This could be anything, but I want you to think specifically about limiting beliefs.

What’s the 1 limiting belief that needs to be taken out back to the woodshed and shot?

What’s the belief that can NOT follow you into 2026 under any circumstances?

Here’s what it is for me: “I need to control what people think about me.”

I’m 54 years old, and there’s still a part of me that’s insecure. I still care too much about what people might think or say about me. I still try to control people’s perception of me, and I know it’s connected to my Primal Question and need to feel safe. I have compassion on myself for this need, but honestly? I’m tired of it.

I’ve worked hard to get this out of my life, and I’ve made major progress, but the “residue” of this belief has hung on for too long, and it’s time for it be taken back behind the woodshed.

Question 2: What Has to Grow in 2026?

I categorize this in two ways.

First, what are the “weak” areas in your life that you’ve been putting off for too long? You know what I’m talking about. That thing you’ve been meaning to prioritize but just haven’t. Maybe it’s your health. Maybe it’s your faith. Or maybe it’s finally getting serious about your finances.

If you think of it like a plant, which areas of your life are “underwatered” and deserve more attention this year?

Second, what worked well for you this year that you need to double down on? Where do you need to add fuel to the fire? Maybe you started a habit that made a real difference. Maybe you took a risk that paid off. What would it look like to go even deeper on that this year?

Here’s what that looks like for me.

I need to grow in my willingness to take risks. Frankly, there’s not enough friction in my life right now. Everything is a little too comfortable. I had a great year, and part of me wants to keep chugging along with what’s already working. But I know that if I want to grow, I need to take more risks that challenge me and create the kind of friction that will lead to transformation.

The second area I need to grow in is being direct about what I want. Part of me feels like it’s not okay to be ambitious, that I should just be content with where I am. But I’ve come to realize that ambition and stewardship are kin. I have a responsibility to do something with what I’ve been given. That’s not wrong. That’s not greedy. That’s stewardship. This year, I need to grow in my willingness to be direct and honest about what I want to build.

Question 3: What Has to Be Protected in 2026?

This is the question most people skip, but it might be the most important one.

Not everything in your life needs to change. Some things just need to be guarded. What has served you really well this year that you need to keep your eye on? What rhythms, habits, or relationships have been working that you can’t afford to neglect? Maybe it’s your morning routine. Maybe it’s your weekly date night. Maybe it’s the boundary you finally set that changed everything.

Here’s what that looks like for me.

First, my marriage. This is the linchpin for so many other things in my life. It doesn’t necessarily need to “grow” this year because it’s already in a great place. It just needs to be protected at all costs. I need to keep my eye on the ball no matter what else is happening.

Second, discipline. I’ve had a really good year, and I can feel parts of me wanting to loosen up. There’s a voice in my head saying, “You’ve earned this. Let up a little. Have some fun.” But here’s what I know to be true: the only reason I’m still in the game isn’t that I have any more talent than the next guy. It’s because of discipline and consistency. I need to protect that no matter what.

Those are a few of the things I’m reflecting on.

I’d love to hear a few of yours in the comments if you’re willing to share.

Here’s your action item:

Grab a journal. Pour some coffee or cocoa. Sit by the fire.

Give yourself 60 minutes to freewrite about these questions. Let your mind wander and list out as many answers as you want to, but at the end, get specific. Pick 1 or 2 answers per question to prioritize for this year.

Hope this helps.

Mike Foster

P.S. Was this helpful?

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Thanks for reading :)