Month: January 2026

Achieve More In 2026 By Doing Less.

By now, you have taken a Giannis Antetokounmpo-sized step into 2026. And if you are anything like me (I hope for your sake you are not), you are hoping that this year is your best year ever. But great years don’t just happen on their own. You need to force your year to be great.

That may sound hard.

But it’s not.

The indisputable law of the universe to focus on right now is The 80/20 Rule. This rule dictates that 80 percent of your results will come from 20 percent of your actions. It’s a valuable reminder to focus on the vital few activities that really matter. And to forget about the trivial many that don’t.

I am always inspired by lazy but successful people. They are not the rise and grind types. They are not workaholics. They are more like the Mayor of Lazytown. But they are also intelligent. And they get ahead by doing less. Sometimes much, much less than others. Yet, they keep rising and shining. What’s up with that, pussycat?

The key to their success is that they do the right things. They spend their time focused on the vital few activities that return 80% of the desired results.

The right things are often relationship things. They are about developing and maintaining relationships with the people who can have a major impact on your opportunities. (I leave this broad, because I don’t know what kind of opportunities you are after.) But opportunities of every sort come through connectors, endorsers, gatekeepers, and inviters.

In addition to developing the right relationships (and showering), the other 3 things that tend to have an outsized impact are:

  • Doing only the things you do best.
  • Showing up at the right places.
  • Asking for what you want.

People often spend a lot of time doing hard things that reinforce the value we put on a strong work ethic. But those efforts can divert time and attention from the little things that make the biggest difference. So in 2026, learn a lesson from the lazy successful people. Work smarter. Not harder. And get greater results by doing more of what matters most.

Key Takeaway

Boil down all the things you could be doing in January to the few things that create the greatest impact. Develop and maintain relationships with the people who can support your goals, spend the majority of your time doing the things you do best, show up to the places and events that matter most, and ask for what you want. If you get those things right, you are 80% of the way to an outstanding year.

*If you know someone who could benefit from this message, please share it with them.

+For more of the best life lessons I have learned, check out my book, What Does Your Fortune Cookie Say? from Ripples Media. And consider subscribing to Adam’s Good Newsletter.

26 Rules For A Great 2026

As I start each year, I like to take a moment to remind myself what leads to a great year and ultimately a great life. Here are some of the most important rules I live by, in a particular order. I hope you find some value in them, too. If not, I encourage you to create your own list and share it with me. God knows I can use all the help I can get.

26 Rules For How To Have A Great 2026.

  1. Nothing works if you don’t. Success is a result of action.
  2. Your habits are your most important asset. You form your habits and then your habits form you.
  3. Add value before you try to extract value. Never forget the order of operations. Your value is directly related to your contribution.
  4. Your best energy is early in the day. Do the big stuff in the morning. But not the Double Stuf. Save that for dessert.
  5. In the end, the only thing that matters is the impact we have on each other. Put people first, and be a positive force in their lives. This is how you get people to show up at your funeral. (This and the all-you-can-eat ham sandwiches.)
  6. Don’t be a jerk. We have enough of them. People need allies and compassion. Not jerkitude.
  7. Get good sleep. Know your ideal amount of sleep and get it as often as you can. Sleep is nature’s power-up.
  8. This too shall pass. Even the really tough stuff will soon be in the rear-view mirror. Just keep swimming.
  9. Exercise is the best medicine. It’s better than an apple at keeping the doctor away. (But speaking of doctors…)
  10. See your doctor and dentist every year. Your scans, blood tests, ograms, and oscopies help find things when they are small and treatable. This can add years or even decades to your life. Do it for your loved ones.
  11. Do hard things. Nothing is better for building confidence and a repertoire of great stories.
  12. Always do what you know is right. This rule has never failed me. Listen to your inner voice. It knows what to do.
  13. When you are right, don’t act in a way that makes you have to apologize.
  14. Invest as much and as early as you can. Let compound interest work its magic, Johnson.
  15. Don’t put your hands in your pockets as you walk up or down stairs. If you trip, you’re going to need those hands to protect your face from the floor.
  16. Travel as much as you can. It provides knowledge, experience, understanding, stories and ideas that last a lifetime. When you are old and can no longer travel, you can always go back in your mind.
  17. Put a case and a screen protector on your phone. It will save you a lot of money.
  18. Burn more calories every day than you take in. That’s the simple formula to maintain a healthy weight.
  19. Don’t worry about how much milk you spill as long as you don’t lose your cow. There will be unfortunate things that cost you money. It’s ok. Just make sure to hold onto the thing that helps you make more money, honey.
  20. A happy marriage is the best thing in the world. I expect the opposite is also true. Prioritize your spouse. Even above your kids. It sets a great example for them.
  21. Reading books is like weight lifting for your brain. Read as much as you can. If you need to you can always buy a bigger hat.
  22. Don’t stick your tongue out when you are in a moving car. Because if you are in an accident, you will bite your tongue off.
  23. Think long term. Don’t try to make or save money today that will cost you money over the years to come.
  24. Take the red eye home from the West Coast. It’s like stealing time.
  25. Spend time with your people in real life. People are better in person. It’s one of the best things you can do for your happiness and well-being.
  26. Capacity is a state of mind. You will do more when you believe you can do more.
  27. (Bonus) Yesterday is the most important day. What you did yesterday enables everything you can do today.

Key Takeaway

The best way to have a great year is to put your accumulated experiences and resulting wisdom to work for you. You’re wiser than you were a year ago. Take advantage of it. Let’s have a great 2026! I hope we get to see each other in real life!

*If you know someone who could benefit from this message, please share it with them.

+For more of the best life lessons I have learned check out my book, What Does Your Fortune Cookie Say? from Ripples Media. And consider subscribing to Adam’s Good Newsletter.