Right now, many of us are deep in planning mode—finalizing budgets, setting goals, and mapping out our path forward. But before you lock anything in, I need you to pause and ask yourself a critical question: are your goals high enough?

This year has been chaotic. Between external disruptions like AI and supply chain challenges, and internal shifts like new leadership and evolving visions, businesses everywhere are navigating massive change. And here’s what happens when we face uncertainty: we hunker down. Our prevention mindset kicks in, and we start making decisions out of fear—including setting goals out of fear.

Here’s what that looks like:

• Fear-based: I’m going to cut our marketing budget by 10% to manage expenses. Growth-based: I’m going to invest in a new revenue stream by launching that pilot program we’ve been discussing.
• Fear-based: I’m going to match our competitor’s pricing and product features to stay relevant. Growth-based: I’m going to spend Q1 reimagining our CSX in ways no one in our industry has tried.
• Fear-based: I’m going to keep doing what made me successful five years ago because it’s proven and safe. Growth-based: I’m going to dedicate six months to building my AI fluency and strategic foresight skills—even though it feels uncomfortable—because that’s what will set me apart as a leader in 2026.

Fear-based goal setting feels safe. Hey, I get it – sometimes that feels like more than you can handle.  You think you’re maintaining stability or allowing for modest growth. 

The harsh reality? You’re actually setting yourself up for decline. When you’re not keeping pace with your peers, competitors, and industry, you’re falling behind. Worse, you’re doing yourself a profound disservice by not stretching into your full potential. You were born to do great things, and you only unleash that potential when you get uncomfortable and step into new territory.

In my book Bet on You, my co-author and I explore the difference between prevention and promotion mindsets. Prevention focuses on stopping loss—playing defense. Promotion is about acceleration, taking meaningful risks that align with your personal vision. 

I want your goals to be hearty, soul-serving, and ushering you into a whole new era of growth. Goals that energize, excite, and challenge you in ways that matter.

Here’s the truth: life is hard regardless of what you choose. Staying the same is hard. Declining is hard. Growing is hard. If we know difficulty is inevitable, shouldn’t we make sure that stress produces something magnificent? I think so.

One more thing: don’t limit yourself to business goals alone. In Bet on You, we encourage you to dream better, not bigger—across four key areas: personal life (family, wellness), career, acts of service, and fun. As for me? I’m doubling down on fun in 2026. Not fancy or lavish fun, but simple joys: more books, more time outdoors, more movement through running, walking, and bike riding.

So I’d love to hear from you: how are you holding yourself accountable to setting big, ambitious goals? Don’t settle for safe. Choose growth.