Happy Friday 👋 !

And Happy 2026! As we kick off the new year, I wish good health, happiness and abundance to you all.

Let’s kick things off by ensuring that we have clarity heading into the year. This week, we’re focusing on a simple two-part exercise to help you (and your team) not just survive the whirlwind of change ahead, but actually leverage it to your advantage.

Understanding our world around us, the signals we should pay attention to and having a concise list of goals is the basis for setting ourselves up for success. Don’t rush through this exercise because it's a basic formula for winning the year. Maybe do a draft and then come back to it in 24 hours after you’ve let it marinate. Then tweak it so that you have a solid understanding of what’s happening around you, what you’re facing, what your team is dealing with and, importantly, what you want to accomplish.

And while I can pretty much guarantee that the year will speed by, focus on just the first 6 months of the year. Let’s gain awareness, make this actionable and create positive momentum. We’ll revisit longer term goals soon.

Part One: Name the Change

To get started, let’s tune your radar for the next six months. 2026 will bring a flurry of changes—some we can predict, and some that might surprise us. Here's a list of known changes that might be on your radar as we roll into 2026. Think of these as common scenarios that can shape your work landscape:

🔲 New Job or Role: You’ve stepped into a new position with fresh responsibilities.

🔲 Promotion: Congratulations, you’ve just leveled up and are navigating new expectations.

🔲 New Team Members: Fresh faces have joined your team, bringing new dynamics into play.

🔲 New Boss or Manager: There’s a new leader in town, and you’re adapting to their style.

🔲 Boss Departure: Your previous manager has left, and there's a leadership gap or transition to handle.

🔲 Merger or Acquisition: Your company is merging with another, or you’re facing a major organizational shake-up.

🔲 New Tech System Rollout: A new software or digital platform is being implemented.

🔲 Digital Transformation Initiatives: Broader digital changes are on the horizon, shifting how you work.

🔲 New Competitors: A major new player has entered your market, changing the competitive landscape.

🔲 AI Tools and Automation: New AI or automation tools are rolling out that you need to learn and integrate into your workflow.

🔲 New Regulations or Compliance Standards: Perhaps new industry regulations are coming into effect that you need to adapt to.

🔲 Shift in Customer Demands: Your clients’ or customers’ needs are evolving, requiring a new approach.

🔲 New Strategic Priorities: Your organization has set new strategic goals or focus areas for the year ahead.

🔲 Layoffs: (Sorry, but it has to be a part of the list.) Your organization is reducing headcount or restructuring roles, increasing uncertainty while requiring you to adapt quickly, take on new responsibilities, and support team morale through change.

Phew, that was a lot to consider ...and there are undoubtedly other changes that will impact you that are not on this list. Write those down as well.

Once you’ve considered these, let’s also sharpen your senses for the unexpected.

Look for subtle signals like shifts in market sentiment, emerging trends in adjacent industries, internal watercooler talk, new leadership changes, or sudden resource shifts. These can hint at changes before they fully unfold. If you want to dive deeper into the unexpected, I recommend watching Rita McGrath’s presentation, Seeing Around Corners: 6 Questions for Rapidly Adaptive Organizations which she gave at The Reinvention Summit last year.

Part Two: From Insight to Actionable Goals

Now, let’s turn those insights into action. Set three clear professional goals for Q1 and Q2. These could be related to navigating a new role, mastering a new tool, or leading a project through a transition. But don’t stop at the professional side—add two personal goals as well. Maybe you want to carve out more time for family, or maintain a new wellness habit that keeps you centered. Or maybe it’s an adventure that you will go on before the end of June!

This is an exercise I’m doing with my own business partner right now, and it’s helping us stay calm and focused as the year kicks off. 2026 will move fast and will be bumpy, but with a clear set of goals and a mindset geared toward adaptability, you’ll be ready to turn change into opportunity.

The Formula

Winning the year comes down to a simple formula: clarity and adaptability.

Get clear on your priorities, stay adaptable in how you move forward, and 2026 becomes a year you shape—rather than one that happens to you.

Here’s to a year of clarity, focus, and adaptable leadership!

Ann
​www.adaptsuccess.com​

🧠 Gear Up for Change is your weekly dose of insight on navigating and leveraging change — grounded in AQai’s science of adaptability. If you find it valuable, forward it to a colleague who’s also leading through change and they can subscribe here.

Want to Gear Up for Change Faster? Here are Next Steps:

1️⃣ Measure Your AQ Take a 25-minute assessment to discover your Adaptability Quotient (AQ). Learn how to thrive in times of change and create a strategy for your growth. Gear up for the rest of 2026 using our companion AQme Workbook. (Tip: check with your manager -- you can probably expense this!) Hit reply and say "Tell me more!".

Issue #60, 9 January 2026