2026: Why Alignment is My North Star
My word for 2026 is Alignment. After a year of taking big actions, I’m now focusing on the flow. It’s about the conscious decision to protect my 'Glass Balls,' lean into my 'Disco Balls,' and ensure that the pace of my life matches the purpose of my heart.
We’ve all been there—the January pressure to "hustle," "reset," or "rebuild." But as I sat with my diary this year, looking out at the fresh mountain air on New Year’s Day, those words felt too heavy & stressful. Instead, one word kept rising to the surface: Alignment.
We talk about "balance" all the time, and it’s a great goal to strive for. But I’ve realised that for balance to actually work, it needs a foundation. For me, that foundation is alignment.
While balance is often about how we divide our time, alignment is about how we honour our energy. It’s the internal check-in that ensures my outer world matches my inner values.
What does Alignment look like in the "Messy Middle"?
In the juggle of motherhood and career, alignment is the tool that helps me decide which balls to catch and which to let bounce. It’s about:
Prioritising your Glass Balls: Recognising the non-negotiables—family, health, core values—and ensuring they are at the centre of your plans.
Fitting your Oxygen Mask: Remembering that looking after yourself isn’t a luxury; it’s the essential fuel that allows you to show up for everyone else.
Integrating your Disco Balls: Making sure the things that light you up (like that Sunday roast, coffee with a friend or a reformer pilates class) aren't pushed to the sidelines, but are woven into the fabric of your week.
Alignment in Action
Choosing this word has already changed the rhythm of my 2026. It looked like delaying my "back to work" date until the second week of January to truly be present on the slopes with my family and ensure back to school went smoothly. It looked like taking ski lessons for myself—investing in my own confidence so I could keep up with the kids and feel capable.
It also means embracing the "Reality Reel." Alignment isn’t about perfection; it’s about being okay with working from bed with a sick child by your side because, in the moment, that’s exactly where you are meant to be.
Finding Your Own Flow
If you’re searching for more balance this year, try starting with alignment. Ask yourself: Does this choice reflect the person I want to be? Am I honouring my "glass balls" today?
When we get the alignment right, the balance starts to follow naturally.
Whether it’s in my 1:1 coaching sessions, the Routes to Change podcast, or workshops at places like Google, this is the journey we’re on together this year.
Here’s to a year that doesn’t just look balanced on paper, but feels truly aligned in your heart.
