Hey Reader,

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2026 will most likely be another hard year.

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And That’s Okay.

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Every December, the same promises show up right on schedule.

🥳 “New year, new you.”

🥂 “Everything changes in January.”

🎉 “This is the year it all clicks.”

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It sounds nice. It looks good in an Instagram post. And it feels good to say as you watch the ball drop.

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But it also ignores the reality of being in business.

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The calendar flipping doesn't get rid of your stress. It doesn't solve the problems you've avoided. It doesn't suddenly give you clarity, discipline, or confidence.

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When the ball drops, your challenges are still there.

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All the work is still there.

All the stress is still there.

All the self-doubt is still there.

All the shit you need to do...yep, still there.

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Pretending otherwise is how people end up disappointed by February.

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Most years are hard.

Most days are hard.

Not because you’re doing something wrong, but because the things worth building are hard to build.

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Launches are hard.

Email marketing is hard.

SEO is hard.

Social media is hard.

Creating is hard.

Side hustling is hard.

Waiting for your first sale is hard.

Learning is hard.

Failing is hard.

Growth is hard.

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This. Is. Hard.

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It doesn't magically get easier because the date changes.

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Here’s the uncomfortable truth we rarely say out loud:

The new year does not make things different. You do.

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We use January as a turning point because it gives us emotional permission to reset. That part makes sense. What doesn’t help us is the idea that intention alone is enough. It isn’t.

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If 2026 looks exactly like 2025, it won’t be because you failed to pick the right one word to guide you, or didn't set the right goals, or didn't celebrate properly when the ball dropped.

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It'll be because nothing actually changed.

Same habits.

Same decisions.

Same avoidance.

Same patterns.

Different year. Same results.

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And yet, here’s the part people miss that I think is the key:

2026 doesn’t need to be your best year ever to be your best year ever.

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It can be a year where:

• You stop lying to yourself about what isn’t working.
• You make fewer promises and better decisions.
• You say no more, and focus on what actually leads to growth.
• You stop trying to be everywhere.
• You stop trying to create for everyone.
• You stop worrying about perfection, and publish your imperfections.
• You start building systems that give you harmony.
• You choose progress over comfort.
• You do one or two things differently and stick with them longer than they feel exciting.

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That kind of year rarely looks flashy in the moment. It often feels heavy, slow, and unfinished. But it compounds.

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So if 2026 ends up being another really hard year, that doesn’t mean it was a bad one.

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It might mean you finally stopped waiting for the calendar to save you, and started taking responsibility for the parts you can actually control.

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No fireworks required.

No perfect resolution needed.

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Just focused work...done consistently...by you.

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The New Year will probably be hard. Heck, parts of it are likely going to really suck.

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But you've got this. And I'll be here to help if I can.

~ Jeff I appreciate you. Jeff Gargas COO / Co-Founder, Teach Better Team ​​​​​ P.S. When you're ready, here's how I can help: 🤝 Need accountability and 1-on-1 coaching? Let's connect and see if there's a fit. Click here to book a free 30-minute call.​ 💚 Looking for support, collaboration, and exclusive resources? Join the EDUpreneur Community. Click here to join today.​

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I wanted to test something out this week. If you've read down to here and notice that a few things are missing, I'd love to know.

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Hit 'reply' and let me know what part you wish would have been here:

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