Planning and Creating a Year of Abundance, Fun, and Purpose

In the past, I’ve noted my goals and plans in various spreadsheets and online documents.  The trouble is, they’re scattered, and sometimes I forget to check them.  And they’re so long I kept missing items.  So this year, I thought I’d try something different.

I found a fun and colourful bound workbook, which incorporates everything I usually capture, plus more.  It is fully illustrated by the author, with lots of fun colours, in addition to the practical and considered sections, and is used and created by a multi-millionaire who I have followed for years.  And it has brilliant reviews, including from other multi-millionaires (one of whom I listen to regularly).  So it has great credentials.

There are two workbooks – one for your life, and one for your business.  I decided on the business one for now.  This workbook incorporates goals, split up into various sections, such as monthly goals, marketing goals, what to do when you are having bad day - and 100 ‘loose’ goals, which I love.  This is actually where I started, as I have some general goals for the year, but haven’t yet finalised how I want to split more focused goals into the year. 

My beautiful bound workbook has lots of sections, as well as lots of questions, quotes, and ideas to draw from.  It has quotes around the fact that the most successful people write down their goals, and review them regularly.  (This tells your brain that they are important to you, so your brain knows to look for opportunities to help you with your goals, which otherwise you might miss.  This section of the brain is called the ‘Reticular Activating System’.  I’ve added some links at the end of this article if you’d like to explore this a little more.)

These workbooks, as well as our own The Clarity Within Journal, are designed to help you consider what you really want.  If you look inside your heart, what do you really want to do and experience this year?  What are your dreams and desires (which you may have forgotten, or put aside, or not spent enough time considering)?  Once you have a clear idea of what you want, you can then consider your goals, and use them to help you plan it out. 

This is a great opportunity to reflect, go deep within, and to determine what you want this coming year to look like. Visualise (or imagine, or feel, or experience, or hear) what you’d like this coming year to look like, to feel like, to sound like.  Add the emotions so it feels real.  Does it feel great?  Something that lights you up inside?  If so, write it down.  You can also meditate, and in the stillness and quiet, allow your thoughts, dreams, and desires to arise.  Freeform journaling can also assist with allowing your dreams and desires to rise to the surface.

If you’re unsure about what you want, The Clarity Within Journal can help.  It asks you thought-provoking questions that you can use to dig deep, to reflect on, and to consider.  You can take your time.  Think about it.  Talk it over with trusted friends, and/or family members.  It’s always helpful to know yourself, and who you are, and who you want to be, and what you want in your life. 

And you may not have big massive goals for the coming year - it could be that you want to improve your relationships, including the one with yourself. Or perhaps you want to incorporate more fun into your life - or try something new each month, or go out with friends (even if it's a walk in the park, or a picnic at the beach). The better you know yourself, and what you really want, deep down inside, the more you can craft your life to be something that lights you up inside, so you feel happy, fulfilled, and purposeful.

Once you have an idea of what you want, you can use that to create some goals.  Write them down (as mentioned, I’ve found it too messy to write in various spots online, and forget to look at them).  I’m excited to use this fun and colourful workbook, so everything is in one spot, in the relevant section, so I can find everything easily.  I’ve also got the workbook next to my desk, so I can pick it up and flick through it multiple times a day – reminding me (and my reticular activating system) what I’m wanting to do and achieve this year.  It’s great for inspiration when you’re not feeling it as well. 

If you want to use the same workbook as me (honestly, I love it!), it is Leonie Dawson’s My Brilliant Year Workbook.  (And yes, this is an affiliate link, because I love it!  If you buy using this link, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you, for bringing it to your attention.)

Leonie’s workbooks are so loved, because they’re fun, colourful, and beautifully designed – so planning feels enjoyable instead of overwhelming.  They’re also very comprehensive, covering all the important areas of life — personal goals, business dreams, health, money, creativity, relationships, and more.  Because they’re so broad and thoughtful, they help you create a year that feels balanced, meaningful, and filled with things that bring you joy.  These workbooks give you space to dream, plan, and take action, so you can step into a wonderful year that truly feels like your Best Life.

I find it helps if you create a number of goals (or break down bigger goals) which feel real and doable.   You can always add a few ‘reach’ goals as well, however it’s important to feel you’re making progress.  It helps with inspiration, and encourages you to keep going. And remember, not every day has to be a day full of action and wins – sometimes you need some down-time, or some fun – or even the space and energy to try new things.  Get out of your comfort zone.  Try something new.

And yes, sometimes that means that things won’t go according to plan.  You might do something (or not do something) and think it’s a mistake.  And that’s ok.  It means you’re trying, and learning.  You’re growing.  You adapt.  You adjust.  You reflect, and try something else.  Perhaps the timing wasn’t right, or the goal would be better if it was adjusted a bit.  That’s part of living your life fully.  Experimenting, trying, and really getting out of your comfort zone.

There’s something powerful about writing things down.  One study reported by the Michegan State University (link below) showed the following results for people who wrote down their goals, and had an accountability buddy to help them achieve them.

📋 76 percent of participants who wrote down their goals, actions and provided weekly progress to a friend successfully achieved their goals.

📋 This is 33 percent higher than those participants with unwritten goals, with a success rate of only 43 percent of goals achieved.

When your goals, dreams, and plans are on paper, they feel clearer, more real, and easier to follow.  Instead of floating around in your mind — getting mixed up with stress, doubt, or daily busyness — they become something you can see, touch, and gently work toward.  Writing things down helps you stay focused, track your progress, and remember what truly matters to you.  It’s a simple habit that can create real change over time.

If you want 2026 to be a year of clarity, purpose, growth, joy, and real progress — Leonie Dawson’s My Brilliant Year Workbook. These fun, comprehensive books help you dream wide, and plan deeply, month by month.

And if you're really not sure what you want, and don't quite know where to start, use our The Clarity Within Journal to get you started. You need to go within, consider the thought-provoking questions, and really connect with yourself to work out YOUR Best Life. (Because sometimes you're so busy, you haven't really taken the time to work it out.)

And if you use some of the tools I’ve mentioned, and use the clarity you’ve gained, you’re sure to create a year full of love, peace, and abundance.  So are you going to make 2026 your best year yet?

Here’s to a brilliant 2026 — filled with intention, action, and big-hearted dreams!

1. What does it mean to plan a year of abundance, fun, and purpose?

It means creating your year intentionally — with clarity, joy, and meaning.  Instead of drifting through the year, you choose what matters to you and shape your time, energy, and goals around that.

2. Is this blog only about money abundance?

No, it’s not.  Abundance includes money, but it also includes time, joy, health, relationships, creativity, and inner peace.  This blog takes a whole-life approach to abundance, not just finances.  And setting goals which cover more than just money is highly recommended for a well-balanced life.  Goals could be set around getting out of your comfort zone, trying new things, planning holidays or retreats.

3. I feel overwhelmed and behind — is this still for me?

Yes, especially if you feel overwhelmed.  This blog is helpful for people who feel scattered, stuck, or unsure where to start.  It focuses on simple, gentle steps — not pressure or perfection.

4. Do I need to set big goals for this to work?

Not at all.  This approach works just as well for small intentions, personal growth, and feeling more aligned day-to-day.  It’s about progress, and setting some realistic goals to keep you inspired – it’s not about pushing yourself for unrealistic goals.  I personally think it’s great practice to set some smaller, more easily attainable goals, as well as one or two ‘reach’ goals – if that’s what you want to do.

5. Are the Leonie Dawson products required?

No, they’re not. They are optional tools I personally love and find helpful for planning, reflection, and intention-setting. You can still get value from the blog even if you don’t use them.

6. Does this blog contain affiliate links?

Yes, it does.  Some links in this blog are affiliate links, including links to Leonie Dawson products.  If you choose to purchase through them, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only share tools I genuinely believe support a purposeful, abundant life.

7. How does meditation fit into planning an abundant year?

Meditation helps you slow down, clear mental noise, and connect with what you truly want.  It supports clarity, calm decision-making, and alignment — all key parts of creating a meaningful year.

8. How can journaling help with clarity and purpose?

Journaling helps you understand yourself better. It brings hidden thoughts, feelings, and desires to the surface, so you can make choices that feel right for you — not just what you think you should want.

9. Is this approach suitable if I’m new to personal growth?

Yes, it is.  Everything is explained in simple language and shared in a gentle, supportive way. You don’t need experience — just an open mind, and a willingness to reflect.

As mentioned, I’m quite excited about putting all my goals into one beautiful workbook, which I will review daily, so my brain knows to look out for opportunities, and stay on top of what needs to be done.  If you want your 2026 to be spectacular, check out Leonie’s Dawson’s My Brilliant Year Workbook. I’d love to share the journey with you!  (Please note this is an affiliate link, so I will get a small commission if you buy through this link at no additional cost to you.) I’d love you to send me updates, so I can cheer you on!  😊

And if you’re a little uncertain about what you want, The Clarity Within Journal can help.  Our journal asks you thought-provoking questions that you can use to go within, and re-discover YOU – and exactly what YOU want.  Sometimes we can get lost, in the all the busy-ness, and noise, and rushing around.  This Journal allows you the opportunity to reconnect with yourself.   To re-discover who you are.  And what you want.  And isn’t that such a worthwhile thing to do? 

Re-discovering yourself, and what you want, is valuable for so many people, as well as you. It allows you to come into your own, so you know what you want to do – and everyone will benefit from you becoming happier and more purposeful – your family, your friends, your colleagues.  Once you are clear on you, the rest can fall into place.  This Journal gives the opportunity to create the life that you want – one small action at a time – so you feel alive, vital, happy, and peaceful.

And if you do have some goals around abundance, here are some resources to help (some free, some paid, and the Leonie ones are affiliate links).

💖   The 7-Day Abundance Starts Within Challenge  (free)

💖   Spending Awareness & Smart Shopping Journals  (designed to help you understand your emotions around money, so you spend with intention, aligned with your own values)

💖   Cash Crunch Course  (free course from Leonie Dawson)    

💖   Money, Manifesting, & Multiple Streams of Income  (affiliate link for Leonie Dawson’s course which has a lot of gems to assist with money, and an abundance mindset)

💖   Behind a Multi-Millionaire’s Finances  (affiliate link for Leonie Dawson’s course where she takes you behind the scenes of her finances)

Want more practical ideas and thought-provoking content on a regular basis?  Don’t miss out on all the hints & tips that you can implement over time!  Sign up for weekly input to help you uplift your life – one week at a time!

We have also created stand-alone pages in the 7 life segments with all blogs, freebies, and paid products grouped together, so you can easily find and review items of interest to you.  Click on the links below to find the areas of most interest to you!  

Life Purpose & Best Life - Health & Wellness - Relationships - Abundance - Personal Growth - Peace of Mind - Spirituality & Energy.

https://apositivestart.org.uk/lived-experience-blog/from-danger-detector-to-joy-seeker-how-the-reticular-activating-system-shapes-our-focus/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/connecting-with-coincidence/202403/the-resonating-dance-of-intention-and-synchronicity

https://www.contemporarypsychology.com.au/reticular-activating-system-intention-in-attention/

https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/achieving_your_goals_an_evidence_based_approach

https://www.forbes.com/sites/markmurphy/2018/04/15/neuroscience-explains-why-you-need-to-write-down-your-goals-if-you-actually-want-to-achieve-them/

This blog is for general inspiration and information only. Everyone’s journey is different, and results will vary from person to person. Please choose what feels right for you and your life. Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if you choose to purchase through them — at no extra cost to you. I am not sponsored by or partnered with Leonie Dawson — I simply love sharing tools that I love, and which may support you on your path.