Join a Movement and Gain Momentum in 2026
January 2026
Join a Movement
January is the time to join a movement, rather than making individual New Year’s Eve resolutions that sputter out or never really get off the ground. This is the time to renew our meaning and purpose in life. It’s helpful to have a theme for the year. Since we don’t operate, succeed or flourish in a vacuum, it’s important to identify with a larger cause. This year, both Catholics and Jews share a 2026 theme for hope, peace, purpose, and spiritual growth. While the 2026 theme for BNI (Business Network International) is ‘Accelerate,’ which means propelling individuals, businesses, and communities forward faster and stronger than ever before. Accelerate involves a deepening of trust, powerful collaboration, and shared purpose. BNI is committed in 2026 to accelerating every aspect of your business growth: personal development, passion, success, mindset, and global impact.
Are you going to Accelerate?
I’m onboard with all of the above themes. Everyone longs to discover and live out a sense of purpose. It increases one’s sense of meaning to be a part of a movement bigger than just one’s self. As a business coach, I concentrate on how business owners can build a meaningful business that creates purpose and hope for their employees. As a Director Consultant for BNI, I am excited about how I can coach and inspire BNI chapters to create the culture for rapid and sustainable success.
What do you want to stand for in 2026?
To Accelerate in 2026, you must not drag your baggage (mistakes, regrets and negativity) from 2025 into 2026. In coaching we view mistakes as learning experiences. Note your learning experiences and shift your focus into positive steps you can take to make 2026 a better year. Success requires perseverance. A sense of hope and purpose enables endurance. Right now we are all facing serious challenges in the world today. There is no time left to indulge in complaining, blaming and self-pity. Instead of dwelling on the negative, many of us will succeed by joining a movement bigger than ourselves. You gain and attain momentum faster when joined with likeminded colleagues (believers, charitable groups etc.) than by struggling to get through life alone. Turn off the news and join a positive movement of your choosing. By joining a movement, I don’t mean that you will carry signs in the street. What I mean is that you will embrace a theme that resonates with your beliefs and become the type of person who exemplifies that theme.
What is your theme?
For many years I’ve held the belief that small businesses are really the backbone of the American Dream. Several years ago I took a class with Bryan Dik, Ph.D. a vocational psychologist and professor of psychology at Colorado State University. His mission has been to develop meaningful work and workplace spirituality. He wrote a profound book called “Redeeming Work: A Guide to Discovering God’s Calling for Your Life.” As a result of this class, I realize that I wanted to be part of a movement to help people find more meaning in their work. As a business coach, I do this by helping business owners develop a culture that inspires employees to feel purposeful, valued and respected. Business owners hire me to come to their staff meetings to foster personal development.
What should a workplace look and feel like?
A business owner that is truly “redeeming work” is Robert Mitchell, owner of Kwik Dry Restoration and a John Maxwell Certified Coach. On January 7th he is delivering a message called “Do You Have a Plan to Grow?” for the Buffalo, Missouri Chamber of Commerce. Robert explains that “after 25 years of owning and growing a business and working as a John Maxwell Certified Coach that growth isn’t accidental. It’s personal. In fact, your business will only grow to the extent that you grow.” Robert exemplifies what I want to see in all the small businesses that I work with. I have given personal development seminars for his employees and have watched them grow both personally and as employees. During one seminar I encouraged them to see themselves as heroes. Robert said that he could tell that they felt more valued and carried themselves more proudly. I love being a part of this movement and look forward to peace, hope, meaning and acceleration in 2026!
How will you grow in 2026?
Originally posted by Coaching for Success via Locable