Collins TM

December to Remember

James Clear, the author of Atomic Habits posted the question

What needs to happen for me to look back in December and consider the year a success?

I'm grateful for a reminder from someone like James Clear to set clear goals and expectations for 2026, and that January 2026 is less than a week away from completion. There are recurring goals from 2025. Recurring isn't the right word, failed goals from 2025 that have carried into 2026. Hate to think of month-1 in 2026 in terms of failed goals, but the reality as I face is that I'm in 2026 with a starting point miss.

Starting Point Miss

1. The largest of the starting point miss is that I've missed on my body weight goal (again) in 2025. This one is simple, i ate way more than i should have and worked out less intensely as I should have. It's simple and complex at the same time since I've repeatedly failed on this. I've tried blaming all sorts of sources even opting for costly medical tests on thyroid, testosterone, etc. but all of those things came back normal. The answer really is as simple as diet and exercise. I still hold significant self-value in how other perceive my looks, and internally I know I need to be in shape to make sure I'm around for more healthy revolutions around the sun.
2. The second largest starting point miss on a 2025 goal, was that I did not execute on my plan of 12+ meaningful advisory, consultant, and mentorship type meetings. I had set this goal in 2025 to me more focused and intentional about personal, career, and charity goals in 2028+. As I reflect back on this, the miss surely came from not enough reach outs from my end. Another simple one. This is as simple as you reach out and people will reach back out to you. I've missed out on the social connections in 2025. None of the relationships are in a "burned bridge" category, but instead of a quick follow up it will now be a extended reach out. More effort to dig out of the hole that I dug for myself

December 2026

December 2026 will look successful with the following:
• Bodyfat less than 16% (currently 20%)
• HRV greater than 50ms average (currently 37)
• Metabolic age -4 from current (currently +1)
• 1 board/advisory role for profit or non-for-profit
• 12 executive networking meetings
• 48X 1:1 child experiences
• 24 spouse dates

If i fail in 2026, it will be because I didn't prioritize my health as if it's a non-negotiable asset!, I let logistics and non-priority work get in the way of my time with spouse and kids, and I kept consuming more instead of shipping more. I need to send it!

As always this exercise is to get me back into the swing of things in HTML. Here is the code and structure for the checklists.

                        
                            <ul> AND </ul> for the unordered list
                            <li> AND </li> for the list entries
                            <input type="checkbox" id="goal1">
                            <label for="goal1">Bodyfat less than 16% (currently 20%)</label>