Give Yourself a Great Start to 2026

 

Looking ahead to the New Year and how you expect it to unfold, can be tempting to get absorbed in whatever is currently trending, or whatever is “doom-ing and gloom-ing” at the moment. After all, there’s plenty going on in the world, in celebrity lives, in the constant push of the media, to keep one engaged or preoccupied.

Which is great, if such brings you joy. But if, on the contrary, you find you are living someone else’s life via trending, or depressed and distressed by some part of the political or world scene, perhaps it’s time to take a pause and consider: “Where’s the value in this for me?”

Yes, you. You are important, you count, your life matters. If to no one else, to you. And if some pursuit or mindless engagement in something doesn’t bring you value, let it go.

Value isn’t about what brings you money, although it can be that, in part. Value is what spurs your creativity, what answers your quest for purpose, what feels worthwhile when you’re doing it. Like relaxing with a good friend, a child or your partner. Like taking care of your pet, your home, your solitary office plant. Like learning a language, a sport, writing poetry or volunteering at your local animal shelter. The list is endless.

Value is subjective. As my ballroom instructor is fond of saying, “Everybody (every body) is different.” No one can define what will have value for you, but you know. It’s what makes you feel like life is worth living, that you are worth living it, and is invariably accompanied by feelings of joy and gratitude.

So, as you step boldly into this New Year, how about letting go of whatever no longer has value for you. And, instead, wholeheartedly embrace those pursuits, interests and whatever else has genuine value for you. Yes, YOU!

Happy 2026!

Regain Peace of Mind: Trash Those Unwanted Thoughts, Episode 128, Season 5

Why is it that sometimes you just can’t let go of an argument, a disagreement? You obsessively hash and rehash what is long done and over with. How unfortunate. Especially since it doesn’t need to be this way. In this podcast you’ll learn how to truly let go and be done with old “stuff” forever.

Listen to all Up! Podcasts here.

 

Check out this latest episode!

Turn the Tables on Your Horrific Boss: Go From Miserable to Successful, Episode 127, Season 5

Your boss is the worst of the worst. Makes you feel lower than an earthworm, undeserving, miserable. That’s not a way to live. And certainly not a way to achieve your career goals. In this podcast you’ll discover what makes your boss so horrible, and how to use their secret fears and desires to pave your way to success.

Listen to all Up! Podcasts here.

Check out this latest episode!

Best Holiday Gift – EVER!

 

What could be the best gift ever? A free trip to Paris? London? Bali? Some other wondrous and exotic locale? A spanking new Tesla/Corvette/Ford F-150? An evening with your favorite celeb? Free tech everything for life? Your kids being considerate and obedient for a day? (OK, a whole hour). The list is endless. . .

But, no. The best holiday gift you could ever give or receive is simply to know, acknowledge, and appreciate that everyone is always doing the best they can, with what they have, from where they are. Including yourself.

Really? Yes. Because whatever someone is doing, whether you like it or not, is the best they can manage, considering their mental, emotional, physical and financial resources, and their competence and confidence in using those resources.

The overworked cashier who snapped at you, when you just wanted to run back and get that one more item, really is doing their best, given their fatigue dealing with harried customers and less-than-helpful co-workers, their personal family issues and that nagging feeling that their paycheck just isn’t going to go far enough this month.

The holidays stress people out more than any other time of year. The season of “Peace on Earth, Good Will to All” is rarely peaceful, and goodwill is scarce. Not that we’re bad people, deliberately slighting, ignoring or otherwise being mean or disrespectful to others.

It’s because we’re ridiculously busy trying to fulfill all the holiday obligations no single human could possibly fulfill to the satisfaction of all concerned. Between the gift buying for which we never have enough ready cash, the festivities to arrange and provide for, the decorating, the obligatory family get-togethers – well, you know the rest.

We are all, truly, doing the best we can with what we have from where we are at the moment. Just recognizing that will ease your stress. Not eradicate it, but smooth it out, making things more doable, more tolerable.

Your mother-in-law really isn’t trying to make your life miserable. She just thinks her holiday feast menu is the superior choice, and she expects you to adopt it (and cook it) with cheers and adulation. OK, fine. When you stop to acknowledge, within yourself, that she really is doing the best she can, given her perspective on how things are done, you can lighten up a little, maybe look for compromise solutions.

Most importantly, look upon yourself with new eyes. Superman/Wonderwoman you may be, but you’ll still never please everyone all of the time. Especially not during the holidays, when expectations are heightened and disappointment is rife. Instead, deliberately appreciate yourself, knowing that you really, truly, are doing the best you can with what you have from where you are.

Doesn’t that already feel better?

Happy Holidays!