2026 Preparations
Do You Know Where You Are Going To?
At the end of each year, I prepare two documents for only my review –
What went well, and what did not?
Where am I heading in the new year, and why?
This is a process I have performed for over fifty (50) years. The self-assessment can be brutal, as there is no one else to blame for what I did or didn’t do!
The plan for the next year can be uplifting. Remember the phrase “…you are never too old to start all over again….” Then consider, despite the book YOUNGER NEXT YEAR (and the great insights it provides on physical renewal), we are NEVER younger next year! Age-appropriate “rational risk” will drive positive results.
CONTEXT. We have control (or at least meaningful influence) over what we consume, produce, think, and with whom we interact. We can adjust context by where we live and the game we choose to play in life.
We do NOT control the economy, Washington, the world, the media, or the weather! We can, though, come to rational conclusions about what will likely happen beyond our control. And when we are brutally honest, we can adjust our thinking and resources to best prepare for that may be coming down the line.
ECONOMY. Ever notice that pundits on the economy seem to take every position along the line of what is possible? That way, at least occasionally, they are right. Sort of like “…even a blind squirrel sometimes finds an acorn”! Continue to watch the Federal Reserve. They have their own data collectors and analysts. They do not depend on reports from other parts of the government (some of which have been eliminated or compromised). The Fed cut short term interest rates three times this year and has announced (at least) one more in 2026. Think of lowering short term interest rates as a charge delivered to your car battery – it does not always succeed, especially if the battery is fully dead.
TRUMP. Love him or hate him, our President will do something every day to be visible. He has a “mercurial” streak. Some praise him for breaking the rules, some think he is “bat shit crazy,” and all accept that he is President for at least another 3+ years. When you drive in Pittsburgh in the winter, you accept that the “freeze-thaw” cycle results in potholes in even new roads. You cannot always see them when driving, as the grey snow and slush fill the holes. Consider that analogy when you plan your route through 2026—hidden potholes await us all!
OPPORTUNITY. When others are scared/uncertain/tired, it is the best time to go hunting for great deals. When owners see clouds, they dump assets anticipating loss over the horizon. When you have “fresh powder” (e.g., equity), 2026 is when you MUST go acquire it. Gain occurs on acquisition. Great management refines the asset, and an eventual sale (especially moving into a tax-advantaged vehicle) can lock in the gain for a lifetime!
BOTTOM LINE.
NOW is the time for your quantum leap. When others are frozen from fear, the winners make their moves. Lean into “rational risk”—know where your parachute and fire extinguisher are located—and jump into your much better future.
We will be there for you!