how im setting goals for 2026

My 2025 journaling system had a gap: daily goals never connected to weekly, monthly, or quarterly targets. Here’s how I’m fixing that for 2026.

What worked in 2025

I split my journal into two sections:

• Reflection/memory — thoughts, emotions, dated entries. At month’s end, I’d write a summary to review later. This worked well. I’m keeping it.
• Daily goals — the ONE thing I needed to get done, plus a bullet list of remaining work.

The daily goals felt productive in the moment but floated disconnected from anything bigger. A busy Tuesday didn’t move me toward quarterly targets because I never set quarterly targets.

What I’m changing

Year mantra: Show up — consistency over intensity.

Quarterly goals: I’m setting 2-3 goals per quarter instead of vague yearly ambitions. For Q1: a fitness goal, a school goal, and a social goal. I want to expand my NYC circle, get into the best shape I’ve been in, and actually learn during my Master’s program.

Weekly goals: Actionable steps that move the needle on quarterly goals. Examples: Gym 3x. Complete one homework module. Find a beginner pickleball league.

Daily goals: 1-3 things I can do that day, set in the morning (1-2 mins), reviewed in the evening (1 min). No analysis on why I hit or missed — that’s for the weekly check-in.

The schedule

• Sunday evening (15-20 mins): Review weekly goals. Set next week’s goals tied to quarterly targets.
• Daily morning (1-2 mins): Set 1-3 goals for the day.
• Daily evening (1 min): Mark goals as done or not. No overthinking.
• Last Sunday of the month: Pivot check — am I making progress on quarterly goals? If not, change the goal, the approach, or remove the obstacle.

What now

I’m testing this in January. I’ll report back on what works and what doesn’t.

— Vish