Goals for 2026 (Not Resolutions)…
I recently listened to something by Mel Robbins where she said you should tell someone your goals. Apparently saying them out loud makes them more real. Accountability, psychology, magic—whatever. It worked just enough that I’m writing them down here.
These are not resolutions. I don’t do resolutions. Resolutions are made to be broken sometime between January 12th and the first unexpected snowstorm. These are goals. Aspirations. Gentle nudges toward a slightly better version of myself.
So, here we go.
The Big Goals
- Lose 20 pounds. Ideally be as close to wedding weight as possible by 10/11/26 (180 lbs.). I am realistic enough to know this won’t happen by wishing it into existence.
- Finish Ironman Wisconsin 2026. Not podium. Just finish. Upright.
- Learn to drum. By “learn,” I mean keep a steady beat and throw in a fill without derailing the entire song.
- Continue learning ASL. And actually use it, not just collect signs like trivia.
- Volunteer at least once a month. Be useful. Show up.
What That Probably Requires
This is the less glamorous part.
- Fewer martinis (or none)
- Less junk food (or none)
- More fruits and vegetables
- Healthier Blue Apron choices
- Pizza capped at once a week (and not frozen—standards matter)
- Fewer processed foods (or not)
Training-wise: actually follow the plan from the Fink book instead of “mostly” following it while convincing myself I’m still disciplined.
Music-wise: practice daily. This assumes a drum kit appears at Christmas. If not, I will continue tapping on desks and steering wheels like a menace. Play bass/guitar during lunch at work.
ASL-wise: practice daily and set aside one weekend night where my wife and I only communicate in sign. This will either deepen our connection or end in laughter and wildly incorrect grammar. Possibly both.
The Reality Check
Full transparency: tonight I am having a martini and frozen pizza. I’m not pretending otherwise. After that, I’m draining the beer in the fridge and mailing the remaining kits and Pinter to my friend Bob. I don’t need that much beer in my life. Someone else will enjoy it more.
I’ll keep exercising over break. I’ll start tightening up my eating—not because it’s terrible now, but because it could be better. And I’ll keep working on ASL.
I also signed up to volunteer on New Year’s Day. That felt like a good way to start—doing something outward-facing instead of just making inward promises.
The Martini Problem (and Other Substances)
The martini is always going to be a thing. It’s not why I gained weight (that honor belongs mostly to teaching), and one a week isn’t a health crisis. But I am curious what life looks like with less stuff in it—less alcohol, fewer processed foods, less reliance on caffeine and meds.
I want to see what baseline me looks like when I:
- exercise regularly – sunlight, fresh air, moving my body
- interact with people intentionally – seek out opportunities to be with others instead of sitting on my couch doom scrolling.
- feel connected to something bigger than myself
No Policing, Just Posting
I’m not asking anyone to hold me accountable. That’s not fair, and it never works anyway. This is just me putting the goals out into the universe… and onto my blog… because saying them out loud feels like a small but meaningful step.
That’s it.
Goals, not resolutions.
Pizza tonight but start intentions tomorrow
Work tomorrow – without complaining but using the “I get to….” motto.