Note: This is a repost of this week’s LinkedIn newsletter article.
I’ve never been great at New Year’s resolutions. It’s my all-or-nothing tendency. I turn even the most reasonable resolution into a set of hard rules, and those rules quickly become too much pressure. I don’t need more of that in my life.
What has worked for me is Chris Brogan’s practice of choosing three words that act more like guides than commands. They’re aspirational, but grounded. Words I can feel in my gut. Words that help me stay clear when decisions get hard or my energy starts to feel scattered.
Over the years, my words have included:
- Write, Courage, and Advocate for 2022
- Boundless, Create, and Discover for 2023
- Open, Positioning, and Balance for 2024
I somehow skipped 2025. I honestly don’t remember why.
But, I’m back on track for 2026.
My Three Words For 2026 Are…
Expansive. Intentional. Grounded.
They aren’t goals or expectations. They’re a way to stay oriented to what matters most.
Expansive: Creativity That Makes Space for Humanity
For me, creativity isn’t about being clever or different for the sake of it. It’s about paying attention. It’s about noticing the human moments that are easy to overlook and telling stories that help people (and myself) feel seen.
Expansive is my reminder to think beyond familiar frameworks, both professionally and personally.
In my work, expansive means:
- Looking past polished narratives to find honest, relatable stories
- Letting curiosity guide conversations before drawing conclusions
- Creating work rooted in empathy, not performance
In my personal life, expansive means:
- Allowing myself to want what I want, without over-explaining or making comparisons
- Making choices that reflect my growth, not obligation (no more “shoulds”)
- Staying open to new rhythms, relationships, and ways of living
Expansive means I won’t chase trends or even norms. I’ll listen first, to myself and to others I trust. I’ll ask better questions. And I’ll leave room for complexity, emotion, and truth.
Expansive means I’ll allow more possibility, honesty, and humanity in my daily life.
Intentional: Choosing With Care
Life without boundaries can quickly become overwhelming. I’ve learned that saying yes to everything (even good things) comes at a cost.
Intentional is the word that helps me choose. Intentional is about decision-making. Intentional reminds me to ask:
Is this the right thing for me to take on?
It reminds me to:
- Say yes because something aligns, not because it’s expected or because I can
- Let strategy and values guide my time and energy
- Measure success by clarity and impact, not volume
Intentionality turns my effort into something sustainable instead of exhausting. It keeps me focused, but not driven.
Grounded: Staying Rooted in My Goals
Growth can be motivating, but it can also turn into pressure if I allow it to be driven by comparison, outside expectations, or an unspoken belief that more is always better.
Grounded is my commitment to staying rooted in my definition of success, both personally and professionally.
Grounded reminds me to ask:
Am I still living the life I’m trying to build?
In my work, grounded means:
- Building a business that supports my life, not one that consumes it.
- Trusting steady, meaningful growth instead of chasing constant expansion.
- Staying focused on the clients, projects, and work that align with my values, not what looks impressive from the outside.
In my personal life, grounded means:
- Protecting time and energy for rest and reflection
- Letting my days have an end, not carrying work everywhere I go (this one will be challenging)
- Releasing the pressure to be “on” or productive all the time
Being grounded helps me resist the pull of comparison and the noise of what others expect. It keeps me focused on the goals that allow for fulfillment, balance, and space to actually enjoy the life I’ve built.
Grounded doesn’t mean small or stagnant. It’s about pace, containment, and staying rooted in my own definition of success.
Why These Three Together Matter
I chose these words because they work with each other.
- Expansive opens possibilities
- Intentional creates focus
- Grounded provides stability
Together, they support a version of success that doesn’t require burnout, self-abandonment, or constant striving.
This year, I’m not chasing more.
I’m choosing better.
Better ideas. Better alignment. Better use of my energy.
If you’re choosing words for the year ahead, I hope you’ll choose ones that support who you’re becoming, not who you think you should be.
