Goals Archives - The Ideal Myth

With every New Year comes a quiet hope. We expect the year to be fair to us. We make resolutions not knowing how long we’ll stick to them but still, they give us motivation and positive energy. A New Year creates the feeling of a fresh beginning.

It’s a time when we try to let go of what we no longer desire and attempt to take up what we truly want. Not everything changes overnight, but even the intention matters.

At the beginning of the year, we reflect on the mistakes we don’t want to repeat and the things we kept postponing in the past year. Most of these are simple things—we know them, we realize them—but we often fail to act on them.

For a new beginning, here is a simple and honest list of 26 things to do in 2026.

1. Make a checklist for 2026

One of the simplest yet most important things is to make a checklist of what you want to do this year. Life goals, learning a new skill, buying a car, starting something you’ve been thinking about—write it down. A checklist brings clarity and intent.

2. Stay fit

Fitness affects not just your body but also your energy and confidence. It’s not only about going to the gym. A healthy lifestyle—regular movement, a balanced diet, walking, and maintaining a healthy weight—goes a long way.

3. Let bygones be bygones

What’s done cannot be changed. Holding on to it will only stop you from moving forward. Let it go. Be lighter. Be kind to yourself.

4. Take up that one thing you’ve been skipping for a long time

We all have that one thing we keep postponing, even for reasons that don’t really matter. This year, don’t skip it again. Start, even if it’s imperfect.

5. Be there for at least one person

We all want someone to be there for us, but we often forget to be that person for others. Be genuinely present for at least one person who needs you.

6. Talk to or meet those you have missed

Work and responsibilities often push personal relationships aside. Reconnect. Meet the people you missed—the friends, relatives, or acquaintances you wished you had more time for.

7. Learn something new

Learning brings enthusiasm and a sense of growth. A language, a short course, swimming, dancing—anything. By the end of 2026, make sure you’ve learned at least one new thing.

8. Volunteer

Volunteering teaches humility and selflessness. You can volunteer for a cause, an NGO, a blood donation camp, or any initiative you’ve thought about but never acted on.

9. Save and invest

Uncertainty has taught us the importance of financial discipline. The amount doesn’t matter—start small. Savings and investments, whether in deposits, mutual funds, gold, or other avenues, bring security and peace.

10. Join a club or community

Instead of endlessly scrolling on social media, be part of something real. A reading club, writing group, cycling group—any place where you interact and grow with people.

11. Start by quitting

We know what harms us. Smoking, excessive drinking, toxic relationships—start the year by letting go of what pulls you down.

12. Grow a plant

Growing a plant teaches patience and responsibility. Over time, it brings a quiet sense of happiness and connection.

13. Declutter

Let go of things that no longer serve you. Emotional attachment should not turn into emotional burden.

14. Give your old things to someone in need

Unused clothes, shoes, bags—things lying around collecting dust might mean a lot to someone else. Give them away.

15. Be kinder

Kindness costs nothing, yet its impact is immeasurable. Every one of us can afford simple acts of kindness.

16. Do something memorable for your parents

Years pass, but moments are remembered. Do something that makes your parents smile—a trip, a meal, a conversation. It doesn’t have to be grand.

17. Take initiatives

Enough of overthinking and procrastinating. In 2026, turn ideas into action. Take initiatives toward your dreams, plans, and confessions.

18. Work towards being debt-free

Some debts are unavoidable, but unnecessary financial burden steals peace. Reducing debt gives you mental freedom and space to enjoy life’s simple moments.

19. Return a little extra

When someone helps you genuinely, acknowledge it. When you return the favor, do a little more than expected. It shows gratitude and respect.

20. Buy an asset

There’s nothing wrong with being materialistic in a healthy way. Aim to buy something meaningful—a vehicle, a home, an office, or any asset that represents progress.

21. Protect your mental space

Not every opinion deserves your attention. Learn to disconnect, set boundaries, and protect your peace.

22. Spend time alone

Silence helps you hear yourself better. Even a few moments of intentional solitude can bring clarity and balance.

23. Improve one relationship

You don’t have to fix everything. Focus on improving at least one important relationship—with honesty and effort.

24. Create more than you consume

Read less mindless content. Create something—write, build, teach, share. Creation gives purpose.

25. Accept that not everything will go as planned

Despite your efforts, some things will fail. Accept it without bitterness. Growth often comes disguised as disappointment.

26. Write an end

Write about how you want 2026 to end. Where do you want to stand? What do you want to feel? Writing it down keeps you aware and accountable.

I hope all of you have an accomplished 2026. Support us too by subscribing to our newsletters and joining us on our social media pages.

Success, achievements, recognition, and dreams, are the things that please everyone and we crave it. Nevertheless, the achievement of anything depends on our actions and our efforts towards it. Everyone puts on effort and everyone works hard for it. It is also a fact that not everyone tastes extraordinary success and only a few does. We all wish to have fruitful outcomes for the efforts made. However, the result of the efforts of any person is dependent on these two factors i.e., persistence and inconsistency.

Persistence is about a person making continuous efforts to achieve the result and even in difficult situations the person keeps on attempting whereas inconsistence is about being inconsistent in efforts, irregular and not always active in actions.

Many people assert being persistent on their goals and dreams yet that is not always the case. We are often inconsistent in our efforts. The inconsistency is often justified in many ways.

What makes you persistent?

Consistency

Small and continuous efforts

Accommodate and adjust to plan

Self-belief and confidence

Keep going on

Desire and Vision

Self-motivated

Not bothered by failed attempts

Never give up

What makes you inconsistent?

Procrastination

Excuses

Not learning from mistakes

Living in the Ideal Myth

Afraid of failure

Judgements of other

Working without goals and a deadline

Living in Safe Harbour

Too much comfort

Why is it important to be persistent?

Sometimes not being consistent, you would lose interest in the things you have a great fond for. You won’t be fascinated with the same idea the way you earlier were. We often postpone things to plan for an ideal time but the more we delay, the more difficult it gets to resume. It gets difficult to manage time when you’re involved in multiple tasks and you’re struggling between dreams and living. Still, you can go slow rather than taking a complete stop. When you are slow you are at least moving.

How to become persistent and avoid being inconsistent?

When you keep on delaying then you may lose the very own thing you wish. We all know that to achieve our goal, we must be persistent in our efforts. We all make goals but we are often inconsistent in our efforts. On some days, we are full of zeal and enthusiasm for it and on some days, we feel demotivated or procrastinate. Many times, because of external factors and things, we cannot continue to focus on our goals. While most of the time, we know what is stopping us, we fail to focus on what can keep us going and help us become persistent.

Here’s how you can be persistent:-

Clarity of goals

The most important thing is to have clarity of goals. You must be aware of what exactly you are willing to do. Without having a clear idea of what you want, you cannot get it.

Have a plan

Having clarity on your goals, you must plan on how you would achieve them. You must set targets, strategy, and plan of action to achieve the desired goals.

Acceptance

There may be setbacks and everything might not fall as you have planned. You shouldn’t let anything affect you and have to accept it as a part of the process.

Discipline

Commitment to the goals and discipline is very important to achieve anything. Nobody is going to compel you for your goals but you have to be accountable to yourself for consistent efforts.

Continuous and small efforts

As it is said that every great thing takes time, you must make continuous and small efforts to reach the milestone.

Keep track and Analyse

It is also very crucial to have a timely analysis and assessment of your efforts. You have to keep track of whether you are making enough effort. Your assessment would tell you whether you are heading somewhere or stuck in between.

Corrective actions when required

When you analyse your actions with the plans, you might come across things you are doing which is benefitting you and things which are affecting you. You have to take corrective actions to clear the setbacks coming across.

Stay motivated and Seek support

There are many times when one gets demotivated and loses hope. You must find ways to motivate and boost yourself.

Be patient

Patience is one of the most important things to stay persistent. There must be times when one wishes to give up. When the efforts do not give the desired result it demotivates to continue further. In the course of achieving, you have to be patient enough not to be easily affected.

Persistence is the cornerstone of lasting success because it transforms effort into progress and dreams into reality. When challenges arise—as they inevitably do—it’s not talent, but consistent effort that bridges the gap between where you are and where you want to be. Every small step taken with determination builds momentum, strengthens character, and creates a foundation for achievement.

In contrast, inconsistency disrupts this process. It erodes trust in yourself, weakens discipline, and creates a cycle of starting over that stalls growth. Inconsistency feeds doubt and makes even the most attainable goals seem out of reach. Real progress requires showing up not only when it’s easy, but especially when it’s hard. It’s through persistence that lessons are learned, and breakthroughs are made.

Success doesn’t come from occasional effort—it comes from unwavering commitment and persistence. Stay consistent, even when the results are slow. Ultimately, it’s not the pace but the persistence that defines who rises and who remains behind.