January has a way of feeling both long and fast at the same time. The excitement of a new year, fresh intentions, and carefully crafted goals often meets the reality of full calendars, client needs, and the unexpected twists that come with professional life, especially in Collaborative practice.

Now that the first month of 2026 is behind us, this is the perfect moment to pause and assess. Are your goals still aligned with what you truly want for this year?

Reflection Is Not Failure, It’s Strategy

There’s a misconception that revisiting goals means something went wrong. In Collaborative work, we know better. Thoughtful reassessment is a strength. Just as we help clients revisit interests rather than positions, we can do the same for ourselves. What goals still feel energizing? Which ones feel forced or misaligned? What surprised you this month—positively or negatively?

Your answers may reveal that some goals need refining, not abandoning.

Are Your Goals Values-Driven?

Collaborative professionals are deeply values-based. Yet it’s easy to set goals based on what we think we should want, more cases, more visibility, more credentials, without checking whether those goals support balance, sustainability, and fulfillment. Does this goal support the way I want to practice? Does it align with my personal well-being and professional integrity? Does it reflect the kind of professional, and human, I want to be in 2026? If not, it may be time to adjust.

Small Course Corrections Matter

You don’t need a total reset. Often, small shifts create the biggest impact. Narrowing a goal instead of expanding it or even just extending a timeline can be appropriate. Momentum isn’t about perfection, it’s about consistency and clarity.

Bring the Collaborative Mindset to Your Own Life

We encourage our clients to slow down, communicate honestly, and make thoughtful decisions rooted in long-term well-being. Why not offer yourself the same grace?

As you move into February, treat this moment as a check-in, not a judgment. Recommit to what matters, release what doesn’t, and move forward with intention.

The most sustainable success, just like the best Collaborative outcomes, comes from alignment, not pressure.