Last year, I finished off with 5 things to be grateful for in 2025. Now, I want to share my take on 6 areas to focus on in 2026 within the business or company you are a part of, with the aim of starting, navigating and finishing the year strong.
1.Reprioritise Your Health
“Your diet is a bank account. Good food choices are good investments.” – Unknown.
I wonder whether we truly understand how important our health is and therefore, making it a priority. Imagine our reaction to someone who takes a pile of bank notes and burns it. Surely we would say what a waste.
Likewise, many disregard or minimise the value of their health saying to themselves, ‘I will attend to that when I have time’. And so to manage our fast paced lives we eat fast food, disregard times of rest and refreshment, and ignore the quiet whispers from their own bodies. Only to find those choices becoming habit and eventually a lifestyle.
I am not exempt, and include myself in some of these poor habits. But let’s reprioritise our health in 2026. I want to live strong in my health in 2026. And you?
“Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.” – Jim Rohn.
2. Focus Your Attention On What You Can Control
“The sun’s rays do not burn until brought to a focus.” – Alexander Graham Bell.
I believe it was Stephen Covey who coined the phrase of life being 10% what happens to you, but 90% how you respond to what happens to you. That simply means we should focus our attention on that which we can control and not on those things that are outside of our control.
I have found that trying to focus on what I can control (like my attitude) can make a huge difference in business and life.
“The true art of memory is the art of attention. Paying attention reveals the extraordinary in the everyday and fuels personal growth”. – Samuel Johnson.
3. Network like a Ninja
“Networking is simply the cultivating of mutually beneficial, give and take, win-win relationships. It works best, however, when emphasising the ‘give’ part.” – Bob Burg.
In the incubators I have run and in the groups I have coached, I strongly advocate for the entrepreneur to become a “network ninja”. The focus though should be on adding value to others, while expanding the network relevant to your business and industry.
Networking is a skill that can be learnt and honed. Let’s be strong networkers in 2026
“Networking that matters is helping people achieve their goals.” – Seth Godin.
4. Embrace Human-Centric Innovation and Creativity
“There’s a way to do it better. Find it.” – Thomas Edison
Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the “tools” available to build a stronger business, while adding value to our designated markets. You may have some concerns about AI, but don’t let that stop you from harnessing better systems and processes for your business. I loved what Demian Hauptle said in a recent interview on Zone radio. He referred to his interest in AI as “Human Centric / People First AI development”, ensuring that all AI development keeps people at the centre of advancements. Any huge breakthroughs are done with the best interest of mankind at the centre of all decisions.
“Creativity is intelligence having fun.” – Albert Einstein.
5. Pick Your Mindset
“Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.” – Zig Ziglar.
I believe that one of the factors which will determine the level of significance and success we achieve in 2026 is that of the mindset we embrace.
I am a huge fan of Carol Dweck, the author of the Growth Mindset, and her counterpart, Angela Duckworth, the author of Grit. Growth and grit are interrelated and key.
Dweck states that as humans, we operate in both a fixed and growth mindset. And you and I have the casting vote about which one we will practice. Let’s choose a growth mindset, grit and resilience in 2026.
“The only thing standing between you and your goal is the story you keep telling yourself as to why you can’t achieve it.” – Jordan Belfort.
6. Focus on the Value you Offer
“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill.
Many times, aspiring entrepreneurs are motivated to start a business not just to make money, but to make a difference (and the money tends to follow).
If you hold to that, then revisit and ask yourself, “What value am I offering to my clients; my colleagues and those close to me?”
Building a loyal base of customers and clients has a lot to do with the effort you put into the value you offer, and your purpose. With this as a focus, you build ongoing trust and support.
“No one is useless in the world who lightens the burdens of another.” – Charles Dickens.
May these focus areas for 2026 help you build a stronger you, and business.
