I once worked in a highly chaotic environment because the leadership believed in focusing on execution first and then planning later. Projects were always thrown together at the last minute, with insufficient planning, leading to mediocre outcomes and stressed-out team members.

Years ago, I took a mindset certification through the Mindset Performance Institute, and one of the core principles is that you spend most of your time on the strategic planning for your goal, which leads to more successful execution. It makes sense because life rarely goes to plan, and there are always obstacles and setbacks. If you have a strategy and have spent time thinking about possible obstacles and setbacks, then you’re better prepared when those obstacles and setbacks occur.

I know that 2026 is going to be a turning point for me. This year, I have shed so much of my old identity and what has been holding me back for at least ten years. I have let go of much that was weighing me down, and I feel so much lighter.

Since about 2015-16, I have been in the wilderness, and from 2020-24, I was in the pits. This year, in 2025, I am beginning to come alive again. I am adjusting to my new normal where grief is still part of my life, but not the main feature anymore. I am adjusting to life on earth without my mother and reflecting on what my future holds.

All other ground is sinking sand.

The COVID pandemic had a profound impact on our lives, and for many of us, those feel like lost years. We hibernated in our houses, and we settled for what was available. Since there was nothing else to do, I buried myself in church and ministry.

The old hymn says

On Christ the solid rock I stand

All other ground is sinking sand

After my mother passed away, it was confirmed for me that church, ministry, and religion are sinking sand. The solid rock is Jesus Christ. It’s not the corporatized institution that Americans call church. I don’t regret the years I spent working in the church because I learned some valuable lessons: I refuse to create a false reality because I cannot handle my actual problems. As I learned after my mother’s death and examining what my life had become, real life will always catch up with us. I realized that a lot of hyper-spiritual people are not spiritual at all. They are either mentally unwell and/or trapped in delusion because the truth is too painful to deal with. I also learned that if we are made in the image of God, we need to be our authentic selves and not play characters to fool other church members. I care more about character than church attendance.

Being heavily involved in the ministry world made me realize what really matters to me when it comes to finding a partner: character, integrity, authenticity, strong values, curiosity, a growth mindset, and healthy masculinity are more important to me than whether you volunteer at the church.

This year, I have confessed my regrets about my career choice, but something tells me that, looking back, the career I disparaged and moaned about was the setup for one of the greatest gifts of my life.

Author Daniel Pink, who wrote the book “The Power of Regret,” says that Regret is for thinking and thinking is for doing. I agree, which is why I am spending this month in the strategy lab, thinking about what I will do next.

A peek inside the Strategy Lab

As you’ll see, one of the main strategies is to avoid oversharing. This is such a delicate time, and it’s time to protect what is sacred.

Move in silence – Protect that which is sacred

This is a time to move in silence. This is a word for many people. You must not share your plans, your ideas, or even what you sense is happening in your life with people. Protect that which is sacred. Let people find out about your big moves when they occur. I will not share essential visions, goals, or plans with anyone outside of my inner circle. The world is only going to get louder and crazier next year, and so we must all minimize distractions.

Minimize Distractions

My primary strategy for 2026 is to minimize distractions.

The first distraction to eliminate is outside voices that have no influence and cause confusion. We can get distracted by allowing people to come along the journey who were never meant to walk alongside us. This is why it is critical to move in silence right now.

The second distraction to eliminate is all the wasted time on the internet and on the phone. This is happening because I am bored and not locked in to what I am doing, so I get distracted by whatever goes through my head. I need tasks to complete.

Stay Rooted, Stay Grounded, and Flow

During the Fall Push, I experienced an internal shift, and I feel the flow state is upon us, where I will start meeting dates with destiny and start experiencing those moments of synchronicity I have been waiting for. It must flow, and I can’t go chasing after it or trying to make it happen. I start meeting people, and then opportunities begin to come.

The difference now is that I know I don’t need to chase, prove, or try to earn anything.

I must stay rooted in my principles and my ethos.

I am grounded in the truth of who I am.

I will let go and let it flow.

Change My Environment

I know that I cannot stand another year of doing the same things and in the same environment. I am upgrading my living space, my professional and personal life. Upgrades all around.

My biggest intention in 2026 is to reconnect with some of my faves and connect with new people. I don’t want another year of lost opportunities due to a lack of connections. This will upgrade my environment tremendously.

Take on new challenges.

I signed up for the Black Girls Run Holiday Challenge. My goal is to do 35 miles before New Year’s Day. So far, I am at 6.81 miles with 28.19 miles to go. I like challenges because they keep me motivated by giving me tasks to complete, and I plan on doing a few races next year, ending with the SF 10K.

I have other new challenges that I want to take on, like putting my energy into something creative. The opportunity will find me when I am ready for it. I have grown bored with my work because I have achieved my goal, so I want to do something else. I want to learn something new and add a new revenue stream. It’s most likely related to communication because I am a strong communicator — both as a speaker and a writer.

So there is your first sneak peak in the strategy lab!!