It’s the time of year when people talk about goals. New year, new intentions, new habits, new plans, new resolutions. And that’s fine. Goals have their place. They can motivate, focus, and energize us. But there’s a deeper, more powerful question you might want to ask as you stand on the threshold of 2026.  

Instead of “What do I want to accomplish this year?” ask, “Who am I becoming?” Because who you are drives what you do. And when you recalibrate your identity, your actions follow naturally.  

Most people set goals from the outside in. “I want to lose weight. I want to earn more. I want to stop this, start that.” But their inner calibration point—how they see themselves—stays the same. And without realizing it, they fight themselves all year long. Like a thermostat set at 70 degrees, they keep drifting back to their old self, no matter how hard they work to warm things up. 

What if this year, you started differently? What if you set your calibration first? Not based on your past. Not based on what others think. But based on who you choose to be. “I am a healthy person with some habits to align.” “I am a leader worth following, learning how to communicate better.” “I am already valuable, and I choose to live like it.”  

This kind of choice sets the thermostat at a new temperature. And when the heat drops, when life gets cold, you won’t scramble for motivation—you’ll simply return to who you already are. 

This year, let your goals be expressions of your identity, not attempts to create one. That’s where the power is. When your goals emerge from your chosen self-image, they stop being obligations and start being natural extensions of your daily life. You don’t have to work harder. You just have to live truer. 

So as 2026 begins, take a moment—not to list your goals, but to declare your truth. Who are you? Who do you choose to be? And then… simply act like it. That’s how transformation begins. Not with willpower. With identity. With calibration. With choice. 

This article is part of our ongoing Achievement Nudge series—short, witty, and often inspirational articles to spark your personal and professional growth. Explore more nudges on our blog, or sign up for our weekly Nudge and News email. Each edition includes an Achievement Nudge plus leadership, professional development, and personal growth videos and articles to keep you inspired and on track.