Goal Planning Ideas for the New Year
As another new year begins, I sit at my desk and ask how I can make 2026 a better year than 2025.
A while back, I had the privilege of interviewing an author by the name of Chris Saye on my “Career Can Do” podcast. Chris shared insights from his time exploring the world’s Blue Zones, which are the five regions where people are known to live the longest and healthiest lives: Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Ikaria, Greece; and Loma Linda, California.
Chris and his wife decided to visit the Blue Zones after reading a study conducted by an American National Geographic explorer about longevity hotspots around the world, places where people commonly live to be 100 years old or more. So much of what Chris shared during our conversation reminded me of my own grandparents, who lived next door to me while I was growing up. They both lived to be nearly 100 years old, and as I reflect on their lifestyle, I see many clear correlations between my memories of them and the findings of the Blue Zone study.
The more I reflected on these lessons, the more I realized that the information coming out of the Blue Zone study offers value far beyond personal longevity. It also provides meaningful insight into how we can become our best selves in today’s New Work World.
Being healthy in both body and mind allows us to make a greater contribution at work. When we are healthy, we take fewer sick days, enjoy our work more, and are more likely to engage in work relationships that bring joy and fulfillment, all of which directly affect our overall quality of life.
The five Blue Zones are located in some of the most beautiful places in the world. During his appearance on my podcast episode titled Living Long and Prospering, Chris shared how he was able to work remotely while he and his wife took a year off to actually live in these unique locations. Their goal was to see firsthand whether the lessons from the longevity studies truly played out in everyday life. What Chris discovered was that the people living in these regions genuinely practiced powerful, healthy lifestyle habits. Through conversations and observation, he gained valuable insights that influenced his own choices about where and how to live. Much of this wisdom is shared in his book, FLY: The Holy Grail of Life, Love, and Longevity.
Let’s take a closer look at several key lessons from the Blue Zone study that Chris witnessed firsthand, and explore how we might implement these ideas in 2026 to maximize our potential in the New Work World while enjoying greater success and happiness.
1. Have a Community Component in All That We Do
The Blue Zone study highlights how people in these longevity hotspots frequently gather together with the intention of sharing, supporting, and helping one another. In many cases, there is a spiritual or religious element involved, but the common thread is community. How can we bring this approach into the New Work World? Could we host more group after-work gatherings where families are included, strengthening bonds among team members and fostering a stronger “we” mentality instead of a “me” mentality? Can we begin to view our coworkers as a work family rather than simply people who share the same workspace? Research consistently shows that employees who form strong bonds with their leaders and peers tend to stay longer, contributing to lower turnover and a more engaged workforce.
2. Maintain Healthy Eating Practices
The Blue Zone study often references simple habits such as eating beans, particularly in regions where plant-based foods are more accessible and affordable than meat. The larger takeaway is the importance of nutritious, balanced eating, including plant-based meals and fresh, local, and seasonal foods. In the New Work World, we might also expand this idea to include what we feed our minds. Rather than consuming constant negativity about workplaces, leaders, coworkers, or organizations, what if we focused on healthier mental inputs? Shifting our mindset toward solutions, possibilities, and constructive change can make work more enjoyable and productive.
3. Have a WHY in All We Do
A central theme of the Blue Zone study is the importance of having a clear “why” or purpose in life. During my podcast conversation with Chris Saye, we discussed studies showing that many people struggle after retirement because they lose their sense of purpose. How can we strengthen our “why” in the New Work World? If your current purpose feels unfulfilling, what steps could you take to reshape it? This might include taking online courses, returning to school, attending networking events, or building stronger relationships with coworkers, clients, and leaders. In Nicoya, Costa Rica, people use the phrase “plan de vida,” or reason to live, which fuels optimism and direction. A strong sense of purpose is often closely linked to greater happiness.
As you move through 2026, keep these powerful lessons from the Blue Zones in mind as you create your personal and professional success plan. Building strong community connections, maintaining healthy physical and mental habits, and grounding your work in a meaningful purpose can help make this year one of your best yet. I still fondly remember my grandmother, Mimi, planting seeds in her backyard garden to grow the healthiest crops for her meals. Now is the time to plant your own seeds in the garden of life, nurturing habits that will yield a bountiful harvest in the New Work World.
