Welcome

Dear Friend,

Almost every morning, a few minutes after 6:00 AM, my friend Isabelle and I meet on Zoom to meditate together. We've been doing this for three and a half years now.

Sure, we could each meditate alone. But there's something about practicing together—even through a screen—that feels different. The accountability helps, yes. But more than that, there's a quality of presence that emerges when two people show up for the same intention at the same time. Something that can't be replicated in solitude or by AI, no matter how advanced it becomes.

This is what I've learned after nearly 30 years of coaching leaders: the best transformations happen in relationship.

Not in isolation. Not through willpower alone. But through the gentle, persistent practice of showing up—for ourselves and with others who are committed to the same journey.

This guide is designed to help you do that kind of showing up. It's based on a powerful concept called "Letting Go and Letting Come"—the idea that before we can invite something new into our lives, we must first release what no longer serves us. We must let go to make space for what wants to emerge.

Part 1 will guide you through letting go—reflecting on 2025 with honesty and compassion.

Part 2 will help you let come—creating intentions for 2026 that align with who you're becoming.

How to Use This Guide:

• Set aside quiet, uninterrupted time—this isn't something to rush
• Answer honestly, not perfectly
• There are no wrong answers, only your truth
• Be kind to yourself throughout this process

This isn't just another planning exercise. It's an invitation to lead your life—and your work—with intention.

Let's begin.

With love,
Ayelet

Your Legacy in 2025

When you look back at 2025, what do you want to remember most? Not just what you accomplished, but who you were and how you showed up in the world.

What IS your legacy for this year?

How did you feel throughout 2025?

What values did you embody?

Your Wins

Take a moment to celebrate what went well this year. Big victories and small moments of pride—they all matter.

What were your biggest wins this year?

What did you do and who were you being that helped you get there?

What were your proudest personal moments (with family, friends, or yourself)?

What values did you honor?

What surprised you about what you accomplished?

What do you learn about yourself from these accomplishments? How would you like to implement these learnings in the coming year?

Important Decisions

The choices we make shape who we become. Reflect on the decisions that mattered most this year.

What were the most important decisions you made this year?

Which decisions are you most proud of?

What did these decisions teach you about yourself?

Challenges & Growth

Our struggles often teach us more than our successes. What challenged you this year, and what did you learn?

What stretched you the most this year?

How did you handle it?

What did this teach you?

Gratitude

Gratitude isn't just a nice-to-have—it's a practice backed by neuroscience. Studies show that regularly reflecting on what we're grateful for strengthens neural pathways associated with well-being, resilience, and positive emotions. It literally rewires your brain for greater happiness.

But gratitude isn't just something we give to others—it's also something we need to give ourselves. Think about how you feel when someone expresses genuine gratitude for you. That warmth, that sense of being valued. You deserve to feel that from yourself too.

Who made a difference in your life this year? Who supported, challenged, or inspired you?

What moments are you most grateful for?

What are you grateful to yourself for? What efforts, growth, or courage do you want to acknowledge in yourself?

Practice: Write Two Gratitude Letters

Letter 1: Write a gratitude letter to someone who made a difference in your life this year. Be specific about what they did and how it impacted you. Consider sending it to them.

Letter 2: Write a gratitude letter to yourself. Appreciate your efforts, your growth, your resilience. Acknowledge what you've done and who you've been this year. Read it aloud to yourself.

What Are You Ready to Let Go?

Before we can invite something new, we must release what no longer serves us. This is the heart of "letting go"—making space for what wants to come.

As you move into 2026, what are you ready to release?

What habits, limiting beliefs, or patterns don't serve you anymore?

What relationships or commitments need to shift or end?

What are you holding onto that's preventing you from moving forward?

What would become possible if you released these things?

Who will you become when you release this?

Stop, Start, Continue

As you transition from 2025 to 2026, what needs to change?

Looking at your answers above, what patterns do you notice?

Ritual: Physically Let Go

Consider creating a small ceremony to release what you've identified. Some people write what they're letting go on paper and then:

• Safely burn it (in a fireplace, candle, or fire pit)
• Tear it up and throw it away
• Bury it in the earth
• Release it into flowing water

The physical act of letting go can be surprisingly powerful.

What ritual feels right for you?

When will you do this ritual?

Discovery Questions

Before setting goals, let's explore what truly matters to you. These questions will help you connect with your deeper intentions—what wants to come.

What do you want more of in your life in 2026?

What do you want less of?

If you could change one thing about your work or life, what would it be?

What would you like your legacy in 2026 to be?

What are you afraid might happen in 2026?

What are you excited about?

Your Word for 2026

Why choose one word instead of making dozens of resolutions?

A single word acts as a compass for your year. It's easy to remember, flexible enough to apply to different situations, and powerful enough to guide your decisions. Unlike specific goals that can feel rigid, a word invites you to embody a quality or intention across all areas of your life.

Think of your word of the year as a compass, pointing you in the right direction when you are uncertain. Which resonates the most with you?

These are just suggestions to inspire you—please choose whatever word feels right, even if it's not on the list.

Exploring Your Word

Now that you've chosen your word, let's deepen your understanding of what it means for you.

Why did you choose this word? What does it mean to you?

WHEN you fully embody this word, what will your life in 2026 look like?

What would be different in your work AND life?

What actions will follow from this word?

Write the Story of 2026

Imagine it's December 31, 2026. You're looking back on an incredible year. What happened? What did you create? Who did you become?

Write the story of your 2026 as if you're already living at the end of the year, telling us what unfolded. Be specific. Be bold. Let yourself dream.

Start with: "2026 was the year when..."

As you read your story, what emotions do you feel?

What would need to be true for this story to unfold?

Your Home Run for 2026

If you could accomplish ONE big thing in 2026—something that would make you incredibly proud and feel like a home run—what would it be?

Don't overthink it. Don't make it practical yet. Just dream.

My Home Run for 2026:

Why does this matter to you?

What would achieving this make possible?

Your Goals for 2026

But here's what Tony Robbins doesn't always emphasize: massive action doesn't have to mean overwhelming action. The most sustainable change comes from small, compassionate steps taken consistently.

Now that you have your word and your vision, let's translate them into concrete goals.

Why limit the number of goals?

Research shows that people who focus on 3–5 key goals are far more likely to achieve them than those who try to change everything at once. Focus creates momentum. Completion builds confidence.

Choose goals that truly matter—not goals you think you "should" have.

(Mix professional and personal—great leaders know life integration beats work–life balance.)

Goal #1:

How does this connect to your word?

What is one small, compassionate action you can commit to right now to start today?

Goals (continued)

Goal #2:

How does this connect to your word?

What is one small, compassionate action you can commit to right now to start today?

Goals (continued)

Goal #3:

How does this connect to your word?

What is one small, compassionate action you can commit to right now to start today?

The Reality Check

You know the statistics: gyms are packed in January, empty by March. Most New Year's intentions die quietly before February.

Here's why:

• Change requires creating new neural pathways—new habits. It takes an average of 66 days, often closer to a year, to establish them.
• Willpower alone doesn't work—you need systems and support.
• Without accountability, action, and reflection, good intentions fade.
• You're a leader—everyone needs YOUR attention, but who's holding space for you?

Big changes in habits are often easier to create when you break them down into small, manageable steps taken with care and compassion toward yourself. Tiny, consistent shifts tend to last longer than dramatic overhauls.

How will you be kind to yourself in this process?

How will you stay accountable to these intentions?

Who will support you? Who's holding space for you?

What is one system or ritual that will support you?

When will you review your progress?