HELLO 2026?!?
We have less than 11 full weeks left until 2026. Let that sink in.
Every year around this time, work starts to feel like a sprint. We’re wrapping projects, closing out goals, planning for next year, and trying to manage year-end holidays and celebrations.
What if it were the most productive 10-weeks yet?
That’s what this issue of At The Starting Line is all about. Instead of more pressure, more planning, and more overwhelm, we’re all about focus, simplicity, and progress.
The No-Plan Plan (That’s Actually a Plan)
Traditional year-end planning tends to produce a 20-page deck that is easily forgotten a few weeks into the new year. Instead, anchor on a few North Star outcomes and let those guide your actions through the rest of the year.
Why this works:
✅ Reduces “beat the clock” pressure.
✅ Creates space to reflect on what actually worked.
✅ Helps you choose the right planning framework for what’s next.
Don’t ditch planning. Ditch the idea that having a perfect plan will lead to the perfect outcomes.
Adopt a 12-Week Sprint Mindset
Inspired by The 12-Week Year by Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington, this approach replaces vague annual goals with short, focused execution windows. Think of the rest of 2025 as your 12-week (OK, more like 10-week) sprint to finish strong and to start 2026 with solid momentum.
How to run it:
Pick three outcomes max. What truly matters before year-end?
Define lead measures. Track inputs you control. Not just results, but also the actions you’re taking.
Score weekly. A simple 0–100% dashboard keeps progress visible and teams accountable.
These shorter cycles create urgency and clarity, allowing you to maintain focus and see results.
Small Steps, Big Wins: Tiny Habits
You could have the best plan and the best goals. But that great thinking collapses without small, repeatable actions. That’s when we turn to BJ Fogg’s Tiny Habits framework. The process anchors small behaviors to existing routines, celebrates progress, and builds momentum.
Here are some examples of the framework in action:
After I open my laptop → update my 12-week sprint tracker (2 minutes). Celebrate with an air high five.
After my first meeting → send one stakeholder update. Get that hit of dopamine when you check it off the list.
After lunch → write one paragraph of next quarter’s plan. Fist pump!
The compound effect of consistency pays off better than any written plan hidden in the proverbial drawer.
30-Minute Reset Exercise
If the end of year feels overwhelming, block half an hour to reset and gain clarity for the year ahead:
Take 10 minutes to look back. What 3 things had the biggest impact this year? What didn’t?
Take 10 minutes to choose outcomes. Pick 3 outcomes for the coming year.
Take 10 minutes to build daily actions. Write 3 Tiny Habits that move those goals forward, and block a 15-minute Friday reflection each week to assess your progress.
For Internal Comms & HR Leaders
This time of year can easily get buried in logistics. Try this instead:
Skip the 20-slide deck. Share a one-page focus document with clear goals, owners and outcomes.
Prioritize clarity. Tell people what, why, and when early and often.
Close the year cleanly. Don’t drag unfinished systems into 2026.
Protect thinking time. Two 45-minute “build blocks” each week—nonnegotiable.
Something we’ve found is that when we simplify the structure, we have more space to think, and to take proactive steps, as opposed to living in a reactive state.
Need Support?
Having time to plan is a luxury most teams don’t have. That’s where we can help. In 2026, At The Start will continue supporting communications and HR teams/organizations with:
Internal communications strategy and change management implementation
People process design and leadership development
Executive coaching for leaders navigating growth and change
If you’d like help designing or implementing your 2026 no-plan plan, reach out: sara@atthestart.com.