The start of a new year always brings a sense of possibility for what is to come. It’s a chance to reflect, reset and think about what we want our health, energy and daily routines to look like for the year ahead. But instead of setting ambitious goals early that fade by February, 2026 can be the year we take a different approach. How about goals built on productivity, alignment and sustainable habits that fit real life. Your life. Start With A Clear Picture Before setting any health goals, it helps to understand your current situation. Many of us jump straight into plans like being more fit, more sleep, less stress, without really considering what our body and mind are telling us right now. Below are some useful questions to ask yourself to get an idea on where you are at: How’s your energy throughout the day? Do you recover well after physical activity? Are there any aches, stiffness or patterns that you have ignored? Are stress levels manageable or creeping up more often? This check-in with yourself creates a baseline for meaningful goal setting. Without it, goals tend to be vague, unrealistic or disconnected from what we actually need and what is actually achievable for us. This includes mental wellbeing, daily routines, stress triggers and how supported you feel both at home and at work. Set Goals That Fit Your Life One of the biggest reasons health goals fall through is that they don’t reflect the realities of our lives. What works for one person might be completely unhelpful for another, especially when you consider the variety of job types, responsibilities and lifestyle demands people juggle on a daily basis. A more effective approach is to set goals that align with your day-to-day world. For people in physically demanding roles like in a trade, this might mean focusing on strength, joint stability or mobility to help prevent injury. For those in desk-based jobs, improving posture, taking movement breaks may be more meaningful. Build A System Even the best goals fall apart when the systems around them aren’t designed to support success. Motivation comes and goes, but systems like small, consistent habits built into daily routines are what carry you through the year. Instead of setting big, dramatic changes, focus on smaller actions. Five minutes of stretching after work. A walk during lunch instead of scrolling. Keeping water nearby instead of aiming for unrealistic hydration targets. Preparing one healthy meal at the start of the week rather than reinventing your diet overnight. Over time, they form part of your identity, the choices you make because they’re simply what you do now. Start With Simple, Intentional Steps Setting goals for the year ahead doesn’t have to be complicated. Start by understanding where you’re at. Choose goals that align with your life and your work. Then build a sustainable system that support you every day. If you want to run 5kms and can already run 3kms then try to make it a little further each run and aim to reach 5kms in a couple of months or so. If you want to run 5kms and currently do not run, start with making it to the next light post and give yourself 6-12 months to build to 5kms. This is the mentality and goal setting that sets you up for success, no matter what you are aiming to achieve. As we step into the year ahead, the WHA team have shared some of the goals they are working towards both personally and professionally, all focused on growth, wellbeing and continuous improvement: Run a marathon Travel to a new location Continue to support my team to grow professionally Working smarter, not harder Be more intentional about switching off Set clearer boundaries for work hours Stay healthy and have more energy These goals differ from mental strength to new physical ones, demonstrating that goals can be broad but with the right steps can go in the right direction. Whether you’re looking to improve your health, boost your mental wellbeing, or create better habits that carry you through the year, the most meaningful changes are the more simple ones. And by investing in your wellbeing now, you set the tone for a stronger and healthier 2026 at home, at work and everywhere in between.