Here's why I recommend you create a motivation list for 2026, and not just a resolution list...

You have shopping lists, to do lists, wish lists, bucket lists, resolution lists.

Since a new year is already two months under way, I recommend you create a motivation list, as well.

A motivation list to underpin all the activities and goals you have planned for this year...

...Serious important activities and goals, such as getting a new certification that will benefit your career, kicking a habit that isn't serving you well, or taking steps to improve your most significant relationships...

And light, fun activities and goals, such as watching all the Oscar nominated movies.

Your motivations, simply stated, are your reasons for choosing your activities and goals.

Example 1: one of your plans for this year might be to continue to bake bread (something you started during the pandemic).

Your reason might be that it makes home more homey, or it reminds you of your childhood, and the bread your mother used to make, or it has become a cherished activity that you and someone you love do together.

Example 2: one of your plans for this year, may be to continue to be part of a group you are involved with - whether a choir group, a book club group, a hula group, a Toastmasters group, a Bible Study group, a volunteer group, and so on.

Your reason might be that you enjoy participating in shared activities, and it costs little or nothing to participate.

Example 3: one of your plans for this year, may be to continue to cook, craft, write, garden, read, take on exercise challenges, .......(fill in the blanks, with any of the things you have been doing, and plan to continue to do this year).

Your reason for continuing might be that it's relaxing, or it gives you an outlet for your creativity, or the challenges invigorate you, and give you something to focus on.

There are at least 3 advantages to listing your reasons for your plans, activities, and goals:

1. It will make you feel surer that you are doing the right thing for the right reasons.

2. It will help you do the things you want to do, and more importantly, it will help you do the things you don't want to do, but should.

3. Finally, it will help you keep going, even when problems and challenges get in the way. For instance, if your goal for this year, is to walk for 30 minutes, at least 3 days a week, listing your reasons (for example, to keep your blood sugar down), will help you stick to your schedule, even when things such as the weather, or aches and pains get in the way. If you have more than one reason to do anything, list all the reasons. 

Yes, it's good to have plans, activities, and goals, but also reasons to support them, and keep at them.

You are choosing to live a certain way. Why?

You are choosing to spend your time doing certain things. Why?

You are choosing to spend your money on certain things. Why?

Without reasons, you risk jumping from one thing to another, spending on one thing and another, and when December 31st rolls round, you might have a profound sense of another year wasted, plus lots of extra clutter, and less than satisfying memories.

This needn't be the case.

So don't delay.

Get out that pen and paper.

List all your plans, activities, and goals for this year.

And then, as I suggested, write your reason for each one of those plans, activities, and goals.

Wishing you the very best for 2026.

May you live well and thrive.

What are 10 examples of delayed gratification to live a more satisfying life?

 

Doing a long course of study, such as is required for a medical career, is an example of delayed gratification. The advantage: You will earn an income later than people in your age group, but it will be a much higher income.

Waiting to date, is a form of delayed gratification. The advantage: You will be able to make better choices, being physically and mentally less impulsive, and more more mature, with the additional advantage that goals such as an education, or being in an established career, will be behind you, rather than ahead of you.

Waiting till you are older to drink, is a form of delayed gratification. The advantage: Career and family responsibilities, plus the natural maturity that comes with being older, will put guard rails (natural restrictions) around the frequency of your drinking, the money you spend on drinking, and the risks you take while drinking.

Waiting till you’ve built up your savings, before buying a nice car, is a form of delayed gratification. The advantage: Debt will play a smaller role in your life, than it does for debt-dependent people. You will use debt more strategically, and only for big things such as a mortgage, or a business.

Waiting to get married, or have children, is a form of delayed gratification. The advantage: You will be physically and mentally more mature, you will have made progress in your career, and you will be more comfortable to take on the additional financial responsibilities of getting married and having children.

Waiting till you’ve built up savings for life emergencies, such as illnesses and loss of job, before making lifestyle changes such as upgrading to a better house, is a form of delayed gratification. The advantage: You will have a safety net for whatever circumstances life throws at you, including unemployment, or other life emergencies.

Waiting till you are the legal age, before taking money out of your IRA and 401K, is a form of delayed gratification. The advantage: You will have more money for your retirement years, and if you decide to keep working beyond retirement age, it won't be because you need to continue working to earn money for your expenses and bills.

Waiting till your children are on their feet, before living it up, or relocating to your retirement paradise, is a form of delayed gratification. The advantage: You will be able to support your children, in big ways and small, experiencing the satisfaction of doing things out of love, rather than responsibility.

Waiting for your grandchildren to grow up, before relocating away from your children, is a form of delayed gratification. The advantage: You will experience the joys of the grandparent-grandchild relationship, which is a unique pleasure, and have the satisfaction of knowing that you are helping your children with their most important life needs. Plus you being there for your children, and they being there for you, is a comfort and value, by and of itself.

And, number 10 on this list, if you are on a low-carb diet, like I am, waiting till the weekend, or a cheat day, to eat a carb heavy meal, is a form of delayed gratification. The advantage: eating that dosa-idli-vada combo, or that Mylapore thali meal brings less fear or guilt.

Mmmmm! Mmmmm!

Minoo Jha's answer to What is a thing you didn't know you wanted until you knew it existed? - Quora