Direction Over Distraction: A Different Way to Enter the New Year

Every year, I choose a word to focus on.

Funny I said focus, because FOCUS is my word for 2026.

Last year, my word was intention, and honestly, it was a good one. I firmly believe that when we sit around waiting for things to happen “on accident,” they usually… don’t. So I tried very hard to be intentional about my goals, my time, and my choices.

And it worked. Sort of.

I made progress toward several goals. I graduated with another degree, very much a personal goal as much as a professional one. I guided my son through his application process to college and I survived my daughter's recruiting process. There were numerous side projects, conferences, and starting a new business. But somewhere along the way, I realized I was being intentional about everything.

Which brings us to the age-old problem: Jack of all trades, master of none.

Do you ever feel like you want to be everything to everyone? Not like you have to be, but you want to be. I am often reminded by my family and colleagues not to overload myself and I literally have a sticker on the back of my phone that says, "Saying NO is always an option." But, I find myself saying instead, I can do that. And that. And also that other thing no one asked me to do but somehow became my responsibility anyway.

But here’s the truth I had to sit with: just because I can do all of those things doesn’t mean I should. Trying to be everywhere, for everyone, all at once doesn’t make me more effective, it makes me distracted. And distracted people are rarely fully present for the things that actually matter.

So this year, my word is FOCUS.

And no, this isn’t the hyper-productive, hustle-until-you-burn-out version of focus. This is the quieter, more intentional kind.

Focus looks like:

• Staying in my lane (and resisting the urge to veer wildly into someone else’s).

• Saying no to things that are fine, good, even interesting, but not necessary.

• Clearly defining direction, instead of vaguely hoping things “work out.”

Because let’s be honest, getting where you want to go without a plan is like driving cross-country with no GPS and vibes only. You might end up somewhere… but probably not where you intended.

So I’m mapping it out. I’m creating vision boards. I’m setting small, measurable goals. I’m defining what daily steps actually move the needle instead of just keeping me busy in every possible direction.

If you’re staring at the start of a new year wondering how you made it through another one without seeing the results you hoped for, whether that’s in your career, your health, your relationships, or just your overall sanity, maybe the answer isn’t trying harder.

Maybe it’s choosing direction. Maybe it's choosing your focus.

Why not pause long enough to ask yourself where you actually want to go? Why not map it out intentionally? Why not stop trying to do everything and focus on what matters most?

Take some time to think about your word for the year. What resonates with you?

What keeps pulling at your attention?

And then ask yourself the most important question of all:

Why not?