Hi Friend!

I hope that your holiday plans and preparation are going smoothly this year, and even if they do go a bit off the rails, I hope that you find a moment of peace amidst the chaos.

I know that for some folks, the end of the year is also when their thoughts turn to goal setting for the upcoming year. But, how do you set goals when life seems crazy and you have no idea what 2026 is going to throw your way? In this month's newsletter, I'm including four of my best tips for setting goals when nothing seems certain.

I've also got a book rec for you that pairs well with New Year goal setting and evaluating your routines. (It's an interesting and entertaining read to boot!)

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4 Way to Set Goals When the Future Seems Uncertain

Christmas is just around the corner, and right after that comes the new year. Fresh, bright, and untouched it stretches out before us--an open road. Everyone is chatting about their word for the year, mapping out next year's goals, and getting organized, but maybe you find yourself at a bit of a loss. If there's anything that we've all learned over the past half a decade, it's that everything can change overnight!

How on earth can you set goals for the coming year when you have no idea what life will bring?

My years spent as a military spouse taught me that you can still create goals and plan for success, even when the future is unknown.

Make Plans... But Expect Change.

Even if it's likely that 2026 will bring significant changes to your situation, it's still possible to make plans and move forward while being ready to adapt as needed.

While you may not be able to sign up for that 12-month gym membership, you can still make fitness goals. Take up an activity that doesn't require any special equipment or location. Running is a great option!

Do you own a growing business? Keep taking on work and clients, but set things up so that you can work remotely if needed. You can always scale back your schedule in response to major life changes.

If you're wanting to go back to school, but aren't sure if you'll be moving or changing jobs in the near future, go ahead and sign up for classes anyway. More colleges are offering flexible, online options for classes, so reach out and ask about those options.

Keep Your Goals Flexible

Have flexibility built into your plans so you can shift gears if needed. For instance, if you're a checklist making type like I am, map out the first quarter or half of the year only--maybe even less. Once you get to the end of that time period, you'll have more information to plan the next one accordingly.

I've always been more of a 'flow of the day' type person vs. a strict scheduler. This approach has served me well through the years as life doesn't typically tie neatly into my schedule.

Whatever it is that upends your plans unexpectedly, don't be too wedded to a schedule or exact timelines for your personal goals. Remember that any progress forward is a success!

Embrace Your Plan B

Most of us know it's important to have a Plan B. But how about embracing it? Give yourself permission to abandon goals if you have to, and to have a backup plan in place.

My own fitness goals have had to change at times due to serious injury or important life events that needed to take priority. While I have had to set aside big goals some years, I still keep working to make what progress I can, and over time, it adds up! Instead of letting myself dwell in disappointment, I've embraced my revised plans.

Hope for the Best-Keep the Spark Alive!

Life is full of uncertainty, and that's not likely to change anytime soon. So it's important to keep a positive attitude, make yourself a priority, and continue setting new goals for yourself, even when life is crazy and unpredictable!

When you do have to let go of one goal, take the time to dream and explore the 'what ifs' that could be. You may find something even better to replace that goal with.

Sometimes a goal doesn't need to be abandoned, just put on hold for a bit. In that case, celebrate whatever small progress is made, and keep nurturing that little spark of hope!

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Do you set goals at the beginning of the year? I create an organized list of goals, complete with individual steps and estimated completion dates every New Year! Life is too unpredictable right now. I prefer to go with the flow instead of trying to set long-term goals. I set shorter term goals during this season of my life and review progress more frequently. I once made a New Year's Resolution to quit making New Year's Resolutions. So far, I've kept that one!

Milspouse Matters

You Are Not Alone

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Book Rec: Daily Rituals

Daily Rituals by Mason Currey is a fascinating look into the routines of more that 100 famous philosophers, writers, composers, and artists. It's a fun read, and if you're looking for a little inspiration for crafting your own daily routine, you might find an idea or two among some of the stranger ones!

Order Daily Rituals

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I hope that you and your loved ones have a wonderful holiday season and a bright start to 2026.

See you next year!

Blessings,

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P.O. Box 1086, Cibolo, TX 78108​
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