Planning 2026 (Part 1): The 5 Essential & Strategic Steps I & My Clients Use

Written By Catherine Roten

In this episode, I talk about:

  • The #1 planning mistake even seasoned entrepreneurs make in Q1 (and what to do instead).

  • How to audit your calendar to uncover hidden energetic drains.

  • Why I don’t believe in vision casting without infrastructure to hold it.

  • 5 foundational decisions to anchor your year in sustainability, not stress.

How to Plan Your 2026 Desires (Without Overcomplicating It)

I’m sharing something that completely shifted the way I think about taking care of myself…the real difference between self-love and self-care.

We’re kicking off a two-part series to help you design a 2026 that actually works for your energy, your goals, and your life.

This is the exact process I use for myself, my clients, and inside my mastermind IME. It’s simple, strategic, and designed to help you get clear on your desires before you start mapping out quarterly plans or setting big goals.

This is not a fluffy intention-setting ritual (though I love a good ritual). This is about discernment. Clarity. And choosing what actually matters in your life and business this year.

So whether you're on a walk, driving (voice-note, don’t type!), or sitting down with your journal, let’s do this together.

Step 1: The Desire Dump

Start by dumping every single desire, goal, or idea out of your head and onto paper.

Think life and business. Everything counts. Want to hit a revenue goal? Write it down. Want to learn a language, get stronger, or buy a home? It belongs on the list.

Don’t edit or filter. Let it be messy and unstructured. This is just a brain and heart download.

Step 2: Name Your Main Desire

Now, read through what you wrote. If you have a word of the year, put that at the top of your page.

Then ask yourself: What’s the one core desire driving everything else this year?

It might be business-related (launching a new program, hiring a team), or it might be deeply personal (creating more space, becoming a mother, paying off debt). There’s no right answer, but there is an honest one. Choose the one that feels like your anchor, your North Star.

Step 3: Sit in Stillness

Close your eyes and get quiet, just for 3 to 5 minutes.

Visualize your year through the lens of that desire (and your word, if you have one). What decisions would you make? What would your days feel like in March, June, September? What would shift?

This isn’t about forcing clarity. It’s about letting your body, energy, and intuition speak.

Step 4: Curate Your 10 Desires

Now it’s time to narrow your list down to ten total desires, including your main one.

Go through your list and:

  • Cross out anything that feels misaligned or like a “should”
    Circle your hell yeses—the things you know are meant to happen this year

  • Leave a few items unmarked—these are your “maybes”

If you’ve already circled more than 10, go back and get honest:
Which ones are reach goals for later? Which ones are beautiful, but not for this year?

Then go back to your maybes and check in again. For each one, ask:
Does this align with my core desire and word of the year?

Underline the ones that feel like soft yeses. These are desires you’re open to—but they’re not your driving force. If it’s still murky, trust that. Let it be a maybe.

The goal here is no more than 10 total…. life and business combined. These are your top priorities.

Step 5: Prioritize or Quarter It Out

Now that you have your 10, it’s time to organize them.

There are two ways to do this:

  1. Rank them by priority—from #1 to #10

  2. Assign them to quarters—decide when you want to start, focus on, or complete each one

Either way works. This is where desire meets practicality. You’re building a year with clarity not trying to do it all at once.

For example: I knew “learn French” didn’t make sense in Q1, but Q3 felt right. So I slotted it there.

Choose what helps you feel organized, clear, and excited.

Bonus Tip: Make It Visual

Once your list is clear and prioritized, display it.

Put it in a Canva graphic. Make it your phone background. Hang it by your mirror or workspace. Create a vision board with images, colors, or quotes tied to each desire.

This is the part where you make it yours.

What’s Next?

In Part Two, I’ll walk you through:

  • How to prioritize Q1

  • Setting tangible goals around your top desires
    Why your numbers matter more than you think

This is where we zoom in and start building your actual plan.

But for now?  Get honest. Get clear. Choose what matters. And remember—this is your year to do it your way

Cat Roten

Intuitive Leader & Mentor

Catherine Roten
Next

Choosing a Word of the Year for 2026