These are my plans and predictions for the year. You’ll agree with me that, for a blogger, “first draft” is quite fitting.
Is it just me, or does a new year feel like standing on a diving board with jumbled emotions and thoughts racing through you?
Like… you want to jump. You even know you should jump.
But your toes are curled over the edge, your stomach is doing that weird flip thing, and suddenly you’re very aware of how high the water looks from up here.
That’s kind of where I am right now.
Yes, I’m walking into 2026 ambitious, energized, and clearer than I’ve been in a while. And also, if I’m being completely honest, scared to my core.
Because wanting more is exciting… but being seen while you go after it? That’s a whole different sport.
I’ve always been “outgoing.”
An extrovert.
Okay—an extrovert who now works from home and has slowly evolved into an introvert (many people call it an ambivert).
But business-wise?
I’ve never really put myself out there. Like, ever.
I’ve done great work. I’ve helped entrepreneurs launch their businesses, websites, and programs behind the scenes. I’ve let the results speak quietly while I stayed comfortably offstage.
And now this year is asking me a very direct and uncomfortable question: “What happens if you become very loud, very daring, very audacious about the great work you already do?”
The realization I can’t ignore anymore
Everyone says I’m good at what I do. The glowing testimonials I’ve received over the past five years in business say it all.
My past clients say it. My current clients say it. My friends say it. The love interest (aka, my boyfriend) says it too—often, actually.
And at some point, when everyone in your life is reflecting the same thing back to you, you either keep deflecting… or you listen.
So, I zoomed out and looked at the sum total of my people, work, effort, experiences, and results, and why I am not getting what I believe I deserve—and one truth stood out painfully clear.
I don’t have a skill problem. I have a visibility problem.
I’ve been good… quietly. Consistent… privately. Capable… in rooms I never really invited more people into.
There’s a verse in the Bible that says, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.”
Well, I’m finally done with dimming my light. Because even God called me to do the exact opposite of hiding.
I should be shining. I should be in the spotlight… You see, someone once said, life doesn’t reward talent. It rewards audacity. And it’s true! It’s not about how good you are, it’s about how visible your good work (sometimes, average work) is.
Therefore, my words for the year are audacity and visibility.
And I refuse to self-sabotage by giving in to my overthinking or perfectionism tendencies in the mighty name of Jesus Christ Himself.
No more waiting for the “perfect” moment. No more thinking myself out of aligned opportunities. No more shrinking back when it’s time to step forward.
I’m choosing courage and audacity this year. Even when my voice shakes. Especially when it does.
My business plans for the year
Let’s talk about everything I’m planning to do for business this year.
➡️ Finally, align my businesses. This is a core decision that took way too long to arrive at. I’ve spent years separating this blog from my copywriting business like they’re distant relatives who shouldn’t sit at the same table. Why?
Because I thought mentioning one in the other would “confuse people.” Because I was afraid of diluting interest. Because I kept trying to compartmentalize a brain that has never worked that way.
Truth is, I am not good at boxes. I am good at ecosystems. So no, there won’t be a merge. But there will be freedom.
I’ll talk about both without whispering. I’ll let them exist in the same universe without guilt. And who knows? A Pennalife reader who needs copy help might just… hire me. Revolutionary, I know.
➡️ Book 8–10 done-for-you clients. This is mainly for my other business. Some projects are already in motion—
- Website copy for an international SEO agency that I’ve been adding new pages to for the past year. My top retainer of the season.
- A sales funnel system for a faith-led transformation and alignment coach.
And in 2026, I’m open to more. My goal is to book 8-10 clients for done-for-you services (for website copywriting and sales funnel projects). But, not just that. I also want to book more done-with-you solutions (like my intensive one-on-one strategy sessions) as well as make more DIY sales from my templates and shop products.
➡️ Grow my email list (intentionally this time). For my Pennalife’s weekly newsletter, Present and Less Tense, I had over 1,600 subscribers until November last year. Then, I pruned the list and realized that only 500+ people actually wanted to hear from me.
The rest signed up for a 75-day hard challenge tracker and never bothered again. That was all they wanted. And for my other business, I have barely 200 subscribers. Most of my clients and sales have come from referrals and people finding me through Google and ChatGPT.
But this year, email list building is key! I’m going to grow my lists by 2500 more genuine subscribers. That’d be 1500 for my PLT newsletter and 1000 for my sales funnel x copy newsletter.
Well, 2500 might feel like a small number, but for now, it’s a big deal for me. More so, it sounds achievable. And I’d rather build slowly with intention than brag about numbers that don’t talk back.
➡️ Be featured as a mentor. I’m talking high-impact blogs. Podcasts. Panels. This year, I’m stepping into my guest speaker era because I want to share what I know about marketing, sales, blogging, ADHD, personal growth, and productivity with the rest of the world! So, if you’re looking for a guest who can talk about any of these topics (or just being an entrepreneur, in general), send me an email.
➡️ Partner with 10 dream brands. Yes, I’d love to partner with up to 10 frickin’ cool brands for collabs, UGC content creation, and sponsorships. I want to work with brands I actually use, companies I love, and people I admire. I want to promote them using stories I can tell honestly. If you are interested in a collab or would love to sponsor the blog or newsletter, reach out to me.
➡️ Make genuine business friends. This is effortlessly one of the greatest struggles I’ve had so far in my business career. As extroverted as I am, I like to keep my card… eh… business close to my chest. So much so that I’m a Lone Ranger.
I thought it would be easier. That I’d be so focused and winning, and my perfectionism trait won’t end up sabotaging other people (because, I kid you not, I’m quite the adviser).
But, phew! Nothing prepared me for how tiring and overwhelming it is to go big on the “SOLO” in solopreneur.
I want to have actual conversations with people who get it. People who run a business while managing ADHD, too. People who blog. People who are multipassionate. People who own similar or complementary businesses.
Building alone isn’t pretty. It’s HARD work and no fun.
➡️ Systemize everything (for sanity’s sake). This is a constant task in my yearly goal list. But, since I’m aligning my businesses and wanting to work fewer hours, I need to ruthlessly systemize this time. I’ll be sharing all about the structure and workflows I’ll set in place as the year unfolds. So, subscribe to get the deets and stay tuned!
➡️ Launch a course (or two… maybe). I’ve got a course for one of my businesses that is sure to launch this year around Q4. It’s already in motion. But, let me save the details because I don’t want to jinx it since I’m still working on the structure and all…
➡️ Make my first 1,000 product sales. If you check out the Pennalife shop, I bet you’re going to find something you need to help you build your dream lifestyle and identity. My goal is to help as many people as possible simplify and feel excited about their lives and businesses. And this year, I want to see them in the hands of the people they’re meant for.
Now for the personal stuff (because goals don’t stop at business)
➡️ Becoming my hottest and healthiest self. I’m currently a 76kg girlie. At some point, I wanted to be thick. I did that, but got carried away, lost my motivation, and don’t feel fit at all. But, because motivation isn’t how you get things done, I started focusing on how to build self-discipline and get sh*t done (even when I don’t feel like it). Now, my target is 60kg. My goal is to feel lighter and stronger—physically, mentally, and energetically.
➡️ Traveling four times (one per quarter). I want memories. New environments. A change of scenery that reminds my brain that life is bigger than my desk. One trip per quarter sounds doable and slightly challenging for someone who barely ever travels, except she’s traveling to her family home for Christmas.
And among these travels, I need at least one international trip. Can you believe I had an international passport that expired without me ever stamping a single page?! I meannn, how have I never ever traveled outside this country for someone whose lifelong dream includes traveling around the world?
Anyway, I’m looking forward to new memories, some passport stamps, foreign experiences, and a lot of pictures!!!
➡️ Weekly artist solo dates. This might be one of my favorite goals for this year. Once a week, I’m taking myself on a solo date to spend more time with myself and get the heck out of my apartment.
I made a list of 52 artist solo date ideas (for the 52 weeks of the year), although I won’t be doing one since the first weekend of this year was when I traveled back to my place.
I wrote down each idea on a strip of colored cardboard paper, folded the papers, and put them all in a jar. So, every Saturday, I have to choose something and do whatever it says.
➡️ Live my life like it’s a fairy tale. As someone obsessed with success, being productive, and “getting things done,” I usually have to force myself to take breaks. I have to *intentionally* rewire my brain to enjoy the present.
This year, I intend to romanticize the little things in my life. I intend to treat myself like a plant—you know… rest, be exposed to sunshine, be watered, and nourish my soil. I want to take note of every moment. Be appreciative of my life and the love I receive. Document my days and experiences like my life is a reality TV series or lifestyle magazine!
I need to live like life isn’t happening to me and instead live like life is happening for me. I deserve this.
➡️ Attending a concert. In my defense, I hate noise. No, but for real, I HATE NOISE.
In this case, I know it’s music, and believe me, music heals me. I mean, for someone who’s literally a dance queen, I have to be obsessed with music.
But there’s this screaming of the crowd that makes me feel it can’t be my thing. For this same reason, I have never been to a club.
I’m big on doing what you enjoy. Not because the rest of the society says it’s what you need to be classified as “woke” or a “baddie that gets it.” But, to know if I’d like or even enjoy it, I think it’s only fair that I try it, rather than just conclude that I wouldn’t.
Lately, I’ve been seeing small-crowd type of concerts. Like one at an open bar. I dunno what it’s like. I don’t even know if that IS a “concert.’ But, I’ll figure it out and attend one this year—and see if I like it.
➡️ Doing everything on my 27 by 27 bucket list. I made a list of things I have to do while I’m 27. I’m honoring that list, because come mid-year, it’s gon’ be a new age.
The habits & routines that will actually make this possible
My prayer life last year wasn’t all that, and I felt God reaching out to grab my hands. I’m committing to it this year. More stillness, more surrender, more listening. I’ll be having daily moments to pray and study the bible.
Journaling… every single day. By the end of the year, I want it to be that I journaled for 365/365 days. Because whenever I journal, I’m able to express myself better, process my thoughts faster and clearly, and be grounded in my decisions. If you’re also getting into journaling, you will find these journal prompts useful.
I’m going to embrace my content girlie era. I’ll lean into sharing short-form content and carousels on Instagram and TikTok.
Learn how to sew as a hobby and lean into more painting adventures to destress this year.
The goal for my newsletters is simple. Send 52 newsletters. That’s one per week. And so, I’m committing to a 52-week streak for Present and Less Tense (where I share tips on how to live a life that excites you AF) and Make It Click (where I share sales funnel and copywriting tips).
Relearning social media on my terms. I’ve deleted Instagram more times than I can count. LinkedIn has been… abandoned for years. And TikTok has been on pause for months. This year, I’ll be resuming them, but on my own terms. That’s more of the topics I care about, more of my style, and zero pressure to “please the algorithm.”
If you know me, you know I lovveeee to track numbers and metrics and cashflow. This year will be no different. In fact, it will be more detailed. I want to see the data for everything—and so, I’ll be using my all-in-one planner, content calendar template, and Trello business cabinet to track my workflow.
So… what is this really about?
It’s not just money. Or numbers. Or about making my goals an open business (although, tbh, I frankly enjoy doing it with my readers).
It’s about letting myself be seen at the level of my capacity.
No more hiding or playing it safe. No more shrinking good work to stay comfortable. No more pretending I don’t want more when I very clearly do.
I don’t have every step mapped out. I don’t need to.
What I do have is intention. Direction. And the courage to be seen while I figure things out.
2026 isn’t about proving anything. It’s about showing up—consistently, visibly, and audaciously.
And if you want to follow along—the behind-the-scenes, the weekly check-ins, the wins, the wobbles, the moments I don’t always put on the blog—then you’ll want to be on my weekly newsletter list.
That’s where I talk more freely, share updates I don’t put out for the internet, and tell exclusive stories that teach you tips on how to build your dream life.
Subscribe to Present and Less Tense.
Happy New Year! May this year bring forth great things for you. <3