Plan Your 2026 That Actually Works
Set goals that stick using the AIM framework: Aspire with clarity, Implement with confidence, and Monitor your progress.
92% of New Year's resolutions fail by February. The AIM framework changes that.
Every goal is just a series of actions. If you're not achieving your goals, you're either not doing the right things, or you're not doing them consistently. The AIM framework helps you fix both.
A
🎯
Aspire
Define Your Goal
What you want to achieve, why it matters, and what you won't sacrifice
Specific, emotionally compelling goals are 42% more likely to be achieved than vague ones.
I
🗺️
Implement
Build Your Plan
The 3-5 strategic moves that will actually get you there
A realistic plan you'll follow beats a perfect plan you'll abandon.
M
⚙️
Monitor
Create Your System
How you'll track progress, stay reminded, and remain accountable
People who monitor their progress are significantly more likely to achieve their goals.
🎯 Aspire: Define Your Goal
Get Specific: What exactly do you want?
Vague goals fail. Specific goals succeed. Here's the difference:
Business ❌ Start a business → ✅ Build $2K/month side business by Q4 2026
Health ❌ Get fit → ✅ Run 3x/week, complete 10K by June 2026
Financial ❌ Financial freedom → ✅ Save $15K emergency fund by December 2026
Relationships ❌ Better relationships → ✅ Weekly date nights, monthly couples retreat
Creative ❌ Learn guitar → ✅ Play 5 songs fluently, perform at open mic by summer
Find Your Why: Why does this actually matter?
Dig 3 layers deep to find your real motivation. Here's an example:
Build $2K/month side business
Why? → I want time freedom
Why? → So I can pick my kids up from school
Why? → Because I want to be a present, involved father
This is an intrinsic, emotionally compelling reason—not just about money or status.
Set Anti-Goals: What won't you sacrifice?
Protect what matters by defining clear boundaries:
I will NOT work weekends to build this business
I will NOT skip family dinners to train for my race
I will NOT compromise sleep for productivity
I will NOT sacrifice my mental health for achievement
I will NOT neglect my existing relationships for new goals
Journaling Prompts to Clarify Your Goal
Click any prompt to copy it for your journal:
Purpose
What would achieving this goal make possible in my life?
Click to copy
Intrinsic Motivation
Why does this matter to me personally, beyond external validation?
Click to copy
Anti-Goals
What boundaries do I need to protect while pursuing this?
Click to copy
Trade-offs
If I achieved this goal but lost [my health/relationships/values], would it be worth it?
Click to copy
🗺️ Implement: Build Your Plan
Define 3-5 Major Moves (Not Micro-Tasks)
Your plan should focus on strategic leverage points—the big moves that will actually get you there.
Build $2K/month side business by Q4 2026
1. Validate
10 customer interviews to confirm people will pay
2. Build MVP
Create minimal viable product in 4 weeks
3. Launch
Get first 10 paying customers
4. Scale
Build systems and marketing to reach $2K/month
5. Automate
Reduce time input to 10 hours/week max
Complete 10K race by June 2026
1. Couch-to-5K
8-week beginner running program
2. Base building
4 weeks of consistent 3x/week runs
3. Training plan
8-week structured 10K training program
4. Race prep
Taper, nutrition plan, race day strategy
The 80% Confidence Test
Before committing to your plan, ask yourself two questions:
Theory:
Will this plan get me there IF I follow it?
Does the plan actually make sense? If you did everything perfectly, would you achieve your goal?
Practice:
Will I actually follow this plan?
Is this realistic for YOUR life? Or are you setting yourself up to fail?
If either answer is under 80%, you need to rethink your plan.
- Under 80% theory: What's missing from this plan?
- Under 80% practice: What would make this realistic for my actual life?
Crystal Ball Method: Anticipate Obstacles
Imagine you're 6 months in and you DIDN'T follow the plan. What are the top 3 reasons why?
Obstacle: I blew past my calorie limit
Solution: Track daily in MyFitnessPal, set phone reminders
Obstacle: I skipped workouts when busy
Solution: Block calendar 6 weeks ahead, walking treadmill for backup
Obstacle: I got overwhelmed and quit
Solution: Start with just 2 major moves instead of 5
⚙️ Monitor: Create Your System
Tracking: Monitor Your Progress
A meta-analysis of 138 studies covering nearly 20,000 participants found that people who monitor their progress toward a goal are significantly more likely to achieve it.
Track what you can control (inputs), not just results (outputs):
Tracking tools:
Simple template: Create a daily checkbox list for your 3-5 major moves. Check it every morning.
Reminders: Stay Connected to Your Goal
Research shows that simply writing down your goals makes you 42% more likely to achieve them.
Calendar blocks
Schedule your major moves as calendar events (visual commitment)
Environmental cues
Vision board, sticky notes, desktop wallpaper
Digital nudges
App notifications, calendar reminders
Journaling prompts
Weekly review questions to reconnect with your why
Accountability: Don't Go Alone
Most of us struggle to hold ourselves accountable. Choose the accountability structure that fits your personality:
Partner
Friend or spouse who checks in weekly
Best for: People who respond well to personal connection
Group
WhatsApp group, online community, accountability squad
Best for: Social learners who thrive in community
Public
Social media commitments, blog updates
Best for: People motivated by external pressure
Paid
Coach, course with accountability built in
Best for: Those who need structure and expertise
Self
Daily journaling, weekly self-reviews
Best for: Self-motivated individuals with high discipline
Your Weekly Planning Routine
Here's a simple weekly system to stay on track:
- Review last week's progress
- Set top 3 priorities for the week
- Schedule blocks in calendar
- Morning: Set intention for the day
- Evening: Log what you actually did
- What worked well this week?
- What didn't work?
- Adjust next week's plan
- Celebrate one win
- Measure progress on major moves
- Are you still excited about this goal?
- Recommit or pivot
Real-World Examples
See how this framework works in practice:
Side Business Goal
Specific Goal
Build $2,000/month side business by Q4 2026
Why It Matters
I want time freedom to pick my kids up from school and be a present father
Anti-Goal
I will NOT work 80-hour weeks or weekends
Major Moves
- Validate idea (customer interviews)
- Build MVP (minimal product)
- Launch (first 10 customers)
- Scale (systems and marketing)
- Automate (reduce time input)
Anticipated Obstacle
I don't have time to build this
Solution
Wake up 1 hour earlier (5:30am), batch work on Sunday afternoons during nap time
Health Goal
Specific Goal
Run 3x/week consistently, complete a 10K race by June 2026
Why It Matters
I want energy to play with my kids and set a healthy example for my family
Anti-Goal
I will NOT skip family dinners to train
Major Moves
- Couch-to-5K program (8 weeks)
- Base building (4 weeks)
- Structured training plan (8 weeks)
- Race day preparation
Anticipated Obstacle
I skip runs when my schedule gets busy
Solution
Calendar blocks 6 weeks in advance, accountability partner, backup = walking treadmill
Financial Goal
Specific Goal
Save $15,000 emergency fund by December 2026
Why It Matters
I want to sleep soundly knowing my family is protected from financial surprises
Anti-Goal
I will NOT sacrifice meaningful experiences with loved ones to save money
Major Moves
- Budget audit (find $1,250/month to save)
- Automate savings (direct deposit)
- Side income ($300/month extra)
- Debt payoff (free up cash flow)
- Invest windfalls (tax refund, bonus)
Anticipated Obstacle
Impulse spending derails my budget
Solution
Separate high-yield savings account, 48-hour rule for purchases over $50
1000+ Journaling Prompts to Support Your Journey
We've curated specific prompts to help you clarify your goals, track progress, and stay motivated throughout 2026.
Clarify what you want and why it matters
- What does success look like for me in December 2026?
- What's one area of my life I want to transform this year?
- What would I regret NOT attempting in 2026?
Browse prompts →
Track progress and course-correct
- What worked well this month? What didn't?
- Am I still excited about my goals, or do I need to pivot?
- What's one small win I can celebrate?
Browse prompts →
Break through what's holding you back
- What's really stopping me from following through?
- How can I make this easier for my future self?
- What would I tell a friend facing this same obstacle?
Browse prompts →