How should we select goals for 2026? They should be rooted in lifelong lessons. The goals I have set for 2026 are anchored in the lessons outlined below.

Ten Lessons for a Fragile World — Key Ideas

• Ego – Move from trying to beat the market or prove yourself, to supporting your life’s purpose and flowing quietly like a river.
• Humility – Recognize that everyone is imperfect; seeing others and yourself more generously reduces judgment and conflict.
• Equanimity – Don’t let life’s ups and downs sweep you off balance; maintain inner peace regardless of external changes (in markets or life).
• Attention – Treat your attention like a precious asset; avoid “junk scrolling” and notice what truly matters.
• Freedom – True freedom is the space between stimulus and reaction — the power to choose your response.
• Questions – Be comfortable living with uncertainty and unresolved questions; trust that profound answers unfold over time.
• Character – Your values and how you act matter more than external events — remain just and calm in all conditions.
• Resilience – The ability to think, wait, and fast builds strength; patience and discipline make you difficult to break.
• Love – Vulnerability and genuine connection (not defensive security) lead to growth and deeper fulfillment.
• Simple – True peace comes not from accumulating more, but from needing less — embracing patience and contentment (citing Kabir).

Making 2026 Goals Quantifiable

This framework converts values and lifelong lessons into measurable, repeatable actions—without losing depth or meaning.

1️⃣ The 3-Layer Quantification Model

For each goal, define:

1. Behavior Metric → What I repeatedly do
2. Cadence Metric → How often I do it
3. Outcome Check → How I know it’s working

This avoids vanity metrics and focuses on process + reflection.

2️⃣ Quantified 2026 Goals (Lesson → Metrics)

1. Humble Excellence (Ego & Humility)

Behavior: Seek feedback and share credit

• Metric: Ask for feedback from 1 stakeholder per month
• Cadence: 12 feedback conversations/year
• Outcome Check: ≥ 80% of feedback mentions collaboration & clarity

2. Emotional Equanimity (Equanimity & Freedom)

Behavior: Pause before reacting

• Metric: Practice the 5-minute pause rule in high-stress situations
• Cadence: Weekly journaling (≥40 weeks/year)
• Outcome Check: Regret score ≤ 2/5 for major decisions

3. Attention Protection (Attention)

Behavior: Deep, undistracted work

• Metric: 90 minutes of deep work/day
• Cadence: ≥ 200 deep-work days/year
• Outcome Check: Completion of 3–4 high-impact projects

4. Character Over Outcomes (Character)

Behavior: Values-aligned decision-making

• Metric: Write a 1-sentence “why” for major decisions
• Cadence: ≥ 2 documented decisions/month
• Outcome Check: Zero decisions reversed due to ethical discomfort

5. Living with Questions (Questions)

Behavior: Long-term thinking & reflection

• Metric: Read 1 reflective book/quarter
• Cadence: 4 books/year
• Outcome Check: Maintain a living questions journal with ≥ 12 entries

6. Quiet Resilience (Resilience)

Behavior: Discipline in body & mind

• Metrics:
  • Exercise ≥150 days/year
  • Meditation 10 minutes/day, ≥250 days/year
• Cadence: Weekly tracking
• Outcome Check: Energy level ≥ 4/5 for ≥ 70% of the year

7. Meaningful Relationships (Love)

Behavior: Presence & connection

• Metrics:
  • 1 device-free family meal/day
  • 1 deep conversation/week
• Cadence: ~300 meals + ≥40 conversations/year
• Outcome Check: Relationship satisfaction ≥ 4/5 (quarterly self-check)

8. Simplification (Simple)

Behavior: Reduce unnecessary commitments

• Metrics:
  • Limit to 3 professional priorities/quarter
  • Decline ≥ 1 non-essential commitment/month
• Cadence: Quarterly review
• Outcome Check: Stress level ≤ 2/5 most weeks

9. Redefining Success (Freedom)

Behavior: Use an internal scorecard

• Metric: Weekly reflection answering:
  Did I act with clarity, calm, and integrity?
• Cadence: ≥ 40 reflections/year
• Outcome Check: ≥ 80% “Yes” responses

10. Purpose Over Urgency (Integrated Goal)

Behavior: Intentional planning and review

• Metrics:
  • 1 annual theme
  • 4 quarterly resets
  • 40+ weekly reviews
• Cadence: Structured yearly rhythm
• Outcome Check: No major goal driven purely by fear or comparison

3️⃣ One-Page Quantified Scorecard

4️⃣ Final Principle

If a goal can’t be tracked weekly, it will be forgotten.
Quantification is not about pressure—it’s about awareness.