Journal | Create a Vision for 2026
- Polly Behringer
- Oct 27
- 7 min read
I have a tendency to want to share; ideas and thoughts that's helped my clients and myself. I sit down to write and find myself adding personal thoughts. I realize the flow is not following a 'blog' structure and abandon the blog to the drafts section. I had 97 blogs sitting in drafts.
This morning I learned altering our innate, natural flow to align with an outline of how others suggest we should flow leaves us abandoning the best parts of being in the moment. And when we do this, the stories and ideas that should be unfolding will sit in our drafts.
Go with the Flow
The flow of my blogs won't flow the way a blog should flow. You'll have to sit longer than a minute. You'll need to read; deep dive through journaling. Read, reread, revisit the blog, journal some more and find how it applies to you.
What to Expect:
personal thoughts
structured thoughts and idea
share the blog with someone.
I'm suggesting sharing the blog to make it more real; for you... We usually keep to ourselves our personal journeys, what we're reading and working on... what we find interesting. We seldom suggest things to friends, family or social media... because it's a tell-tale sign of where and who we are beneath what they may or may not know.
Personal note:
Sitting on the front porch journaling this morning, I was moved by the peaceful quiet of the darkness before sunrise. The air was cool from the rains this week and fall's changing seasons is finally beginning to show itself, and I was spurred to look at my vision for 2026.
It's two months away and this is a first for me to look at something not on the immediate horizon. I know this happened through reflection of the weather... reflection of past memories... introspection of where did 2025 go... the gap between recognizing and the time for my mind to make a full shift.
Weather triggers feelings inside me. I read that weather triggers memories through a combination of sensory cues and the body's chemical reactions to environmental changes linking a person to emotional experiences and memories of the past. Colder, darker weather can lower mood and increase stress hormones like cortisol, which primes the brain for emotional retrieval and can lead to nostalgic feelings. Conversely, positive memories and emotions are often linked to warm, sunny weather, as pleasant sensory cues are associated with past positive experiences.
Summer's heat I'm in the midst of high noon hikes up Elk Mountain alone, trying to bear my old time of how long it would take before the Oklahoma sun would beat directly down on me. Winter use to remind me of struggling as a single parent through the holidays; Christmas gifts and the weird vibration of scarcity that seemed to multiply. I'm not there... in that place anymore, but it use to be very much present in the season.
Spring... doesn't bring me much of anything... maybe it will one day. Maybe I've blocked something out... maybe something is great on the horizon to fill that spot. But fall's weather takes me back to high school football games and jr high gatherings on the bleachers; wearing Swatch watches and pull over polos.
The Power of Vision: Why Creating a Clear Vision Is Essential for Success in 2026 and Beyond
In our journey through life and business, having a vision is like having a compass — it guides us, motivates us, and helps us stay focused on our ultimate goals. As we approach the end of the year, it’s the perfect time to reflect, refine, and create a compelling vision for 2026. But why is creating or having a vision so important? Let’s explore the key reasons and how you can prepare for your future.
Why a Vision Is Critical for Your "Why" in 2026
1. Clarifies Your Long-Term "Why"
Your "why" is the core motivation behind your actions. Adding a vision to your "why" for 2026 transforms a vague desire into a concrete future state. It paints a picture of what success looks like, making your purpose tangible and inspiring.
Whys are like intentions... It elicits feelings that embodies your why. It adds layer... a dimension of wholeness... It's the mind, body, spirit of the Why.
2. Provides Direction for Your Yearly Goals
A clear vision acts as a roadmap. It helps you set specific, aligned goals for the next few years, ensuring that your daily efforts contribute to your larger aspirations.
If you only set goals, there is a feeling of what is next after you reach your goal. Goals are more like stepping stones to your bigger picture. It's not your end all - be all.
3. Inspires Consistent Action
When you know what you're working toward in 2026, it becomes easier to stay committed, especially during challenging times. Your vision fuels perseverance and resilience.
When chasing a goal it can feel so close or so far away. But when we have an outline of our goals, meeting a short-term goal (1 day... to 7 days... to 14 days... to a month), it's easier to feel accomplished and meet your long term goal (3 months, 6 months, 12 months). Most don't consider 3 months long term, but if you never reached a 3 month goal... It may / can feel as far away as 12 months or 3 years to you.
How to Prepare for Your 2026 Vision in the Last Two Months of the Year
The final two months of the year are crucial for setting the stage for a successful 2026. Here are some practical steps to prepare:
1. Reflect on Your "Why" and Envision Your Future
Take time to ask yourself: What do I truly want to achieve by 2026? What legacy do I want to leave? Write down your thoughts and create a vivid mental picture of your desired future. Create a vision board in your journal.
In Portugal, I didn't have access to cutting pics and didn't want to lose my momentum and wrote my vision out on two pages, used colored pencils and drew in the corners to add life to my pages. AND I HAVE NOT REGRETS for doing it this way... It's one of my favorite vision pages.
2. Review the Past Year
Assess your accomplishments and challenges from this year. What lessons have you learned? How can these insights inform your 2026 vision?
You might realized you accomplished absolutely nothing... and that's okay. Figure out what you wished you would have liked to accomplished. Look at your last year and see where there were dips, discouragements, obstacles... or moments when you got lost.... And ask yourself why. This whole paragragh is packed full of journal prompts to use over the next month.
3. Set Clear, Measurable Goals
Break down your 2026 vision into smaller milestones. What are the key steps you need to take in the next 1-2 years? Establish specific actions to start today.
Build on those steps... Take the steps one day at a time. Don't jump in with a laundry list of steps... You will be setting yourself up for failure.
4. Create an Action Plan and Timeline
Develop a plan with deadlines. Even in the last two months, you can start laying the groundwork; whether it’s skills development, networking, or planning.
If you don't know how to create a plan with deadlines... Write out some ideas to create an action plan or book a session with me and learn how to mind map your action plan.
5. Cultivate the Right Mindset
Adopt a growth mindset. Believe in your ability to create change and stay open to new opportunities.
This may take doing some shadow work, journaling, creating mindfulness practices, take 15 minutes a day and reset yourself, getting outside and taking a walk. DO SOMETHING you're not doing now... and INVEST in your journey.
6. Visualize Regularly
Spend a few minutes each day visualizing your future success. This reinforces your commitment and keeps your vision alive.
Enroll in an online activity to help you with your mindfulness journey, join a yoga class and show up early to journal. Find times or carve out times to see yourself clearly
7. Seek Support and Accountability
Share your vision with trusted friends, mentors, or coaches who can hold you accountable and offer encouragement.
Whether you join one of our collectives, come to a class or begin sharing your journey online... on social media... Being accountable to showing up is the first step. Think about creating a HABIT TRACKER in your journal to help you see your progress.
The worst feeling is seeing an abandoned Habit Tracker... or falling off. It's not the end of the world, but it makes a difference in how you continue your journey.
Check out this week's prompt and view them as exercises to accompany this blog.
Conclusion
Creating and having a vision is more than just dreaming; it’s about intentionally shaping your future. By adding a vision to your "why" for 2026 and preparing in the last two months of the year, you set yourself up for a focused, purpose-driven journey. Take this time to reflect, plan, and act....your future self will thank you.
Here's to removing blockages, transformation and healing through alternative methods and holistic modalities!
Polly Behringer
Holistic Modalities for Releasing Trauma
Invest in our 10 Days to Mindfulness Online Course. Use it for yourself, send to a friend or do this together. You have 18 days to complete the course. This course includes audio lessons, written plans and guidance to figure out what works for you.
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