Target Practice for 2026

Point. Aim. Shoot. The habits that turn intention into results.

Happy New Year! It’s 2026! I love this time because it marks a new beginning, a fresh start, a turn of the page. Since my accident in 2009, I’ve approached life with one goal each year: make it better than the last. 2025 was no different. It brought growth, lessons, and blessings, and I give God all the glory. I’ve grown so much over the years, and I’m excited for what’s ahead in 2026. I’m planning on having my best year yet, and I know you can too.

I believe having your best year comes down to doing three simple things: pointing, aiming, and shooting.

This really can be the best year you’ve ever had if you want it to be. You are in control of what you put in, and that shapes what you get out.

We may be talking about 2026, but this is really about life. New Year’s Day is just a date. If you truly want change and want things you’ve never had, you’ll have to do things you’ve never done, regardless of the day. When you decide enough is enough, that is your fresh start.

Nothing changes if nothing changes.

If there’s any profession that understands pointing, aiming, and shooting, it’s a marksman. A marksman is skilled in precision shooting, taking accurate long-distance shots at valuable targets. We should aim to be sharpshooters in our own lives.

POINT — What do you want?

It sounds simple, but people struggle here. Many of us are living lives we don’t want, doing things we don’t like because we haven’t clearly decided the life we actually want. We haven’t pointed ourselves toward something. That creates a gap between what we want and what we’re getting. Get clear on what you want in your health, relationships, career, and purpose. It’s time to take control.

“Most people don’t live their lives, they accept their lives.” — John Maxwell

AIM — How bad do you want it?

Aiming is critical. When you aim at a target, you close one eye to focus. For a marksman, focus is everything. You can’t worry about distractions. How bad do you want your goals? Taking aim means locking in, even when life is happening around you. Circumstances will come. Distractions will try to pull you away. Aiming means breathing, staying steady, and keeping your eyes on the vision for your life.

SHOOT — What do you need to do?

Once the target is in sight and you’ve taken aim, it’s time to pull the trigger. Shoot often, but with intention. Every shot should move you closer to the bullseye. Ask yourself: what are the right shots to take?

If the goal is to grow your business:

How many sales do you need this year?

Each month? Each week?

What books should you read?

What relationships should you build?

How should you spend your days?

Great marksmen are not just accurate once. They are precise consistently. Precision means doing the right things over and over. Small wins stack up. If you want the best life possible, you have to win your years, your months, your weeks, and your days.

From Where I Sit

— Emeka

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