Hello there! Happy New Year (or Newpy Hap Year #IYKYK)!
Welcome back to my blog. As long-time readers know, for the last 18+ years, the majority of my posts are technical in nature. I like to talk about what I’m learning. I like to talk about what I’m thinking. I like to write posts that are helpful for others who may be on the same type of journey I am on. I dislike the “reddit style” posts that have questions, then no answers. Or worse yet a “I figured it out” response with no details. That’s why my technical posts are detailed with lots of screen shots and pictures and explanations.
Another set of my posts are more “personal” in nature. They have some leadership concepts. They may have some faith concepts. But, they are still me. Just a different side of me. As my long-time readers know, I write a post like this every new year and have for many years. I end each year and begin each new year by spending a little time reflecting and high-level mental planning on what the new year might look like for me. Many years ago, when I was in full-time vocational ministry, I was introduced to the “my three words” (MTW) concept from a friend who learned it from @chrisbrogan who publishes his list on January 1 each year. His 2026 list is Package, Depth, and Foundation – you can read more on his blog.
My 2025 list was private. I did not share it outside of a few people who know the best. The year before that in 2024, I focused on Games, Mentor and Sober. Games has been fun. I have played a lot of pool with my kids. I have found two new communities with Board Games. We play a lot of Euro Style and Deck Building games. If you like to learn more – BGG – BoardGameGeek.com – is a good place to start. Our sweet spot is the ~3.5/4.0 difficulty level. I’ve been really enjoying my mentoring journey the last few years. I’ve watched some of my mentees grow in their career and take on new roles and responsibilities. Outside of work, a few of the people I spend time with have had their own sets of ups and downs. That’s the joy and challenge of mentoring. You get to celebrate with but also grieve with others. It’s messy but worth it. Sober, as I wrote about, wasn’t just about alcohol. My booze consumption is not zero, but, it’s much less than ever before. My “brain sobriety” is a work in process. Some days are better than others. I have my own thoughts and demons that pop up every now and there that are hard to deal with but I think we all can relate there. Like some I know, I struggle with acceptance and being “enough” for my family and my friends. The purpose and meaning behind “sober” in this isn’t about perfection but more about taking those thoughts captive and thinking of good things.
Again, these “my three words” posts aren’t about resolutions and “keeping” things. They are really there as anchors – or focuses – or – guideposts. They help me filter things out. They help me focus when life gets noisy and remind me what matters most. This brings us to 2026. I have 3x new words that I’ll be focusing on this year: Pivot, Community, and Hopeful.
Pivot
Life doesn’t always go in a straight line. Careers shift, priorities change, and sometimes the best move is a sharp turn. Pivot is about embracing flexibility instead of fearing it. It’s about being willing to change direction when the old path no longer serves the mission. For me, this means leaning into new opportunities, exploring ideas I’ve put on the shelf, and staying open to reinvention. Pivoting isn’t failure—it’s growth.
Communitiy
We’re better together. Community reminds me that relationships—personal and professional—are the foundation of everything worth building. This year, I want to invest more in the people around me: family, friends, colleagues, and the broader community around me that makes life richer. Community means showing up, listening, and creating spaces where others feel seen and valued. It’s about collaboration over competition and connection over isolation. Specifically in 2026, I desire to find a fresh small group connection at Church. We’re in the middle of an exciting growth journey and I’d like to journey alongside some like minded men and women!
Hopeful
The world can feel heavy, but hope is a choice. Hopeful is my commitment to optimism—not blind positivity, but a grounded belief that better days are ahead. It’s about looking for possibility even when challenges loom large. Hopeful means I’ll approach 2026 with curiosity, courage, and confidence that the work we do matters. It’s the fuel that keeps me moving forward. It’s funny: curious and curiosity have been top of mind words and phrases for my own manager at work. I’ve always been curious at heart, but, I’ve become complacent in that curiosity at work. He has encouraged me to re-find that curiosity and it’s been a catalyst for some new hopefulness ending 2025 and starting into 2026.
That’s that. MTW 2026. These three words aren’t magic, but they’re a compass. When I’m faced with decisions, distractions, or doubts, I’ll come back to them: Pivot when needed. Build Community. Stay Hopeful.
Here’s to a year of bold moves, deeper connections, and a future worth believing in.
What about you? Do you have specific words or phrases you’re focusing on in 2026?