Every January, I see the same thing happen.

You open your inbox. You glance at last year’s numbers. And before you even start planning the year ahead, there’s already a quiet voice telling you that you’re behind.

Behind on revenue.
Behind on momentum.
Behind on where you thought you’d be by now.

That’s exactly why I recorded the first episode of Success by Design for 2026. This episode is your pep talk—the one I want you to hear before you look at the numbers, before you set goals, and before you start telling yourself stories about what this year is “supposed” to be.

Because most designers don’t start January with a clean slate. They start it carrying the emotional baggage of the year before—and whether we like it or not, that baggage shapes how we show up.

2026 Does Not Need to Be a Reaction to 2025

I want to be really clear about something: you do not need to make up for last year. You don’t need to prove anything. And you definitely don’t need to hustle your way out of disappointment.

When we rush to “fix” a hard year, we tend to overcommit, underprice, and ignore what our business is actually asking for from us. That’s how burnout repeats itself.

Instead of jumping straight into goals, I want you to pause and ask a different question:
How do you want your business to feel this year?

Calmer? More profitable? More spacious? More sustainable?

Because if you don’t define the experience you want from your business, you’ll end up chasing numbers that don’t actually serve you.

Why Your Goals Might Be Working Against You

I see this all the time—goals that feel heavy, punishing, or loaded with self-judgment. And here’s the truth: those aren’t goals. They’re expectations pretending to be motivation.

In this episode, I talk about how to set goals without shame. Goals that create focus instead of pressure. Goals that align where you are now with where you want to go—while still leaving room to be human.

We talk about why your results aren’t a reflection of your talent, why emotional energy matters just as much as profit, and why systems—not hustle—are usually the real growth lever.

You’re Allowed to Begin Again

This episode is part mindset reset, part strategy, and part permission slip.

Permission to let go of what no longer fits.
Permission to stop carrying last year into this one.
Permission to design your business as intentionally as you design your projects.

If you’re starting 2026 feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, or quietly questioning whether you’re doing this right, I recorded this episode for you.

You are not behind. You’re informed—and that’s a powerful place to begin.