2026: The Year of Doing the Work (and Taking the Kids With Me)

Every January I feel the same pull.

Part of me wants a clean plan. Clear goals. Something I can point to when life gets messy.

The other part knows that life with two kids, a body that needs maintenance, and a job that actually demands something from me doesn’t work that way.

So this year, I’m trying something different.

Not resolutions.
Not a productivity hack.
Not a complete reinvention.

Just a framework — flexible enough for real life, but solid enough to keep me moving.

I took two approaches that have stuck with me and combined them into something that feels sustainable.

The Framework

One Misogi + Six Mini Adventures + Habits (borrowed from Jesse Itzler)

One big, scary annual goal
Six mini adventures (one every two months)
Four small habits (one per quarter)

26 for 2026 (borrowed from Gretchen Rubin)

A list that’s intentionally human. Some things matter deeply. Some are practical. Some are just nice to do.

Together, they look like a year I’d actually want to live.

The Rules I’m Trying to Follow

Before the goals, before the lists — these are my guidelines.

I am never too tired for my kids.
This doesn’t mean I’m never tired. It means I show up anyway. If my kid asks me to build Lego or to paint my nails then we are a go!

I never skip workouts two days in a row.
Consistency beats motivation. Always.

I do not keep score. I do what is good for me.
No comparing. No quiet resentment. Just do what I do.

I can just do things.
No overthinking. No waiting for permission.

I do the daily consistent work.
Even when it’s boring. Especially then.

If I live by these, the rest mostly takes care of itself.

The Misogi: One Thing That Scares Me

Run a sub-2:00 half marathon in Philly.

I’ve done this before. But over the past two years, my times have crept back up to over 2 hours. Life happened. Kids happened. Consistency slipped.

This scares me for the right reasons.

Not because it’s impressive. Because it requires months of showing up when no one’s watching. Early mornings. Easy runs that don’t feel heroic. Strength work when I’d rather sit.

It’s not about the medal. It’s about proving — again — that consistency works.

Six Mini Adventures

These aren’t vacations. They’re markers. Moments that pull us out of routine and into memory.

Jan/Feb: Trip to Philly Presidents’ Day weekend
Mar/Apr: TBD
May/Jun: Father’s Day at Postcard Cabins
Jul/Aug: July 4th family getaway
Sept/Oct: Apple Picking
Nov/Dec: Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with Zeke

Nothing extravagant. Everything intentional.

Four Winning Habits

Electrolytes when I wake up.
Simple. Boring. Effective.

Make the bed daily.
Small victory to start each day.

26-minute daily walk (Monday–Friday).
Movement that doesn’t require gear or planning.

Journal consistently.
Get thoughts out of my head before they spiral.

26 for 2026

This is where the year comes into focus. Some of these are about money. Some about health. Some about relationships. Some just about making home feel better.

New chair for the living room
Send Birthday cards
Race a half marathon
Weekend away with the kids
Run to Rippers
Double my brokerage account
Visit a new museum
Go to a concert
12 date nights
Judi’s first NYRR kids race
Lower the cable bill
Ask someone new to lunch
Sunrise photoshoot (Coney Island, Gantry, Montauk)
Daily 26-minute walk (Monday–Friday)
Barbershop shave
Monthly 529 contributions
Omakase with my mom
Declutter my stuff (and the kids)
Weekend away with Sarah-Beth
Update the photos over the couch
Upgrade the towels
Macy’s parade with Zeke
Lower the cellphone bill
Upgrade my camera body and add a telephoto lens.
Go to a concert
Try a rock climbing gym

What I’m Actually After

The goal isn’t to complete every item.

The goal is to move my body regularly, show up for my kids with energy, be present with my wife, keep my finances boring and steady, and say yes to experiences instead of postponing them.

To stop waiting for someday.

Because someday usually looks a lot like today — unless you decide otherwise.

Here’s to doing the work. Here’s to the kids being there for it. Here’s to a year that feels full while it’s happening, not just in hindsight.