How to Make Sure 2026 Isn’t Just Another “Busy Year”
By James Fleming, Managing Director of The Power Within Training
Blink, and another year’s passed. December again.
That weird time of year when you’re both flat-out and checked out at the same time. You’re chasing deadlines, trying to wrap up projects, planning Christmas, and wondering how it’s possible to feel this tired and this behind.
You tell yourself next year will be different. You’ll be more organised, more focused, less busy.
But then January hits.
The calendar fills up.
The inbox explodes.
And suddenly, it’s June and you’re saying the same thing all over again.
Sound familiar?
Don’t worry, it’s not just you. I’ve been there too. In fact, I used to wear busy like a badge of honour. If my diary wasn’t full, I felt like I wasn’t doing enough. But I learned that being busy isn’t the same as being effective. It just means you’re tired, reactive, and probably a bit grumpy by Friday.
So this year, before we roll into another “busy” January, I want to ask a better question:
How do we make sure 2026 isn’t just another busy year, but a productive, meaningful one?
The Busy Trap
There’s something oddly comforting about being busy, isn’t there?
It gives us a sense of importance. You bump into someone and they ask, “How’s things?” and you reply, “Aye, busy!” like it’s a medal.
But half the time, “busy” is code for “overwhelmed, disorganised, and winging it.”
At The Power Within Training, we see it all the time. Business owners, leaders, and managers who are flat-out every day, but still feel like they’re standing still. Meetings, emails, firefighting, rinse and repeat.
Busyness and progress are not the same thing.
One’s about doing more. The other’s about doing what matters.
High-Payoff Activities (HPAs): The Game-Changer
When I first learned about High-Payoff Activities (HPAs), it completely changed the way I worked, and now, it’s a core part of how we work in our business with our own team, and what we teach in our programmes.
HPAs are the 20% of your actions that drive 80% of your results. They’re the things that truly move your business or team forward.
The problem is that they’re rarely urgent. They don’t flash up red in your inbox or make noise. That’s why most people ignore them… they’re too busy firefighting the small stuff.
If you want 2026 to feel different, this is where you start.
Ask yourself:
- What are the 3–5 things I do that really move the needle?
- How much time am I actually spending on them each week?
- What can I delegate, automate, or stop altogether?
If your week is full, but your results aren’t improving, that’s your red flag.
Goals That Actually Mean Something
Most people set goals like this:
“Grow the business.”
“Be a better leader.”
“Find balance.”
Lovely sentiments… but completely useless if you stop there.
Big goals only work if you break them down into doable chunks.
Here’s how I approach it:
- Yearly goals: the big picture, your vision and direction.
- Monthly goals: milestones, what success looks like in chunks.
- Weekly and daily HPAs: the practical stuff, what actually gets done.
It’s not rocket science, but it’s the difference between wishing and achieving.
When we started The Power Within Training, my vision was clear: help leaders unlock the mindset and tools they need to thrive. But it only became real by breaking it down, designing one course, signing one client, delivering one programme at a time.
That’s how you turn ambition into action.
Why Mindset Matters (Hello, Motivational Intelligence)
Here’s the bit most people skip: mindset.
Because without the right mindset, even the best goals fall flat.
That’s where Motivational Intelligence (MQ) comes in, it’s the science behind why we do what we do… and why we sometimes don’t.
High-MQ leaders know that setbacks are part of the process. They don’t crumble when plans change; they adapt, refocus, and keep going.
So if you want 2026 to be your breakthrough year, don’t just plan your time, strengthen your mindset. Because your calendar can’t save you if your thinking hasn’t changed.
Learn to Say “No”
This one took me years to get right.
Early on, I said yes to everything; every meeting, every “quick call,” every opportunity that might lead somewhere. I felt guilty saying no.
But if you say yes to everything, you’ll drown in busywork.
These days, I ask myself one simple question: “Does this take me closer to my goals, or just keep me busy?”
If it’s the latter, it’s a no.
Protecting your time isn’t selfish. Think of it as smart leadership.
The Hard Truth
The uncomfortable reality is that 2026 won’t magically feel different just because the clock ticks over at midnight on Hogmanay.
If you want a different outcome, you need a different approach.
That means:
- Focusing on what matters.
- Setting goals that actually mean something.
- Building the mindset to follow through, even when motivation dips.
Because when you start doing the right things instead of more things, that’s when real progress happens.
Ready to Make 2026 the Year That Counts?
At The Power Within Training, we help business owners and leaders do exactly that, through Motivational Intelligence, High-Payoff Activity coaching, and our Executive Coaching and Leadership Development Programmes.
If you’re done being busy and ready to be effective, get in touch.
Let’s make sure 2026 isn’t just another year on repeat, it’s the one that changes everything.
James Fleming
The Power Within Training
The Motivational Intelligence Company
james@tpwtd.com
