How to Make 2026 the Best Year: 6 Questions to Ask Yourself

In this empowering episode, Mel Robbins leads listeners through a transformative year-end ritual designed to help individuals reflect deeply on the past year and plan intentionally for the one ahead. Drawing upon 22 years of personal experience, research insights, and practical tools, Mel introduces six critical questions that guide self-awareness and intentional action. The episode underscores the importance of looking back before moving forward, identifying what to stop, start, and continue doing, and embracing intrinsic motivation to make meaningful and lasting changes.

Reflecting on the Past Year

Mel emphasizes that an amazing life does not happen by chance but by conscious choice. She underscores the necessity of reviewing the past 12 months to truly understand one's current position. This reflection is not about dwelling on pain or failure but about acknowledging both lows and highs to clear mental and emotional space for growth. Mel encourages using tangible tools like a camera roll and calendar to retrieve accurate memories, as the brain often forgets much of the year's details. This deliberate review lays a foundation of truth and self-awareness, which is crucial for effective planning.

Acknowledging Low Points

The process starts by facing the lowest moments of the year with honesty and compassion. Mel shares that many people carry unacknowledged stress and emotional burdens from the past year, which can negatively affect both mental and physical health. Research from UC Irvine and Penn State highlights the importance of confronting these low feelings rather than suppressing them, as doing so allows one to process and distance themselves from negative thought patterns. Mel's candid sharing of her own health challenges and exhaustion serves as a reminder that acknowledging hardships is a courageous, self-aware step toward healing.

Celebrating High Points

Once lows are acknowledged, Mel guides listeners to celebrate their highs, both big and small. She points out that joyous moments often come from meaningful relationships and simple pleasures, such as family gatherings, solo trips with loved ones, and memorable experiences like concerts. These highlights reveal what truly brings joy and fulfillment, directing focus toward what listeners may want to cultivate more intentionally in the coming year. Recognizing and claiming wins, no matter the size, cultivates gratitude and motivation.

Extracting Lessons Learned

Reflection also involves identifying the lessons learned from the past year's experiences. Mel invites listeners to consider what these insights reveal about personal strengths, boundaries, and areas for growth. Lessons might encompass realizing the need for help, understanding one's resilience, or deciding to no longer tolerate certain behaviors in relationships. These lessons serve as "data" that inform what changes to make, offering clarity on priorities and personal truths. Mel shares her own revelations about the power of structure, routines, and the importance of relationships.

The Stop, Start, Continue Framework

The second phase of the ritual focuses on actionable decisions using a strategic framework common in leadership: what to stop, start, and continue doing. Mel stresses that quitting certain habits, mindsets, or obligations is often necessary to create space for meaningful progress. Stopping unproductive patterns is a form of winning, not failure. Continuing involves building on positive habits and commitments that support well-being and growth. Starting is about initiating new behaviors or projects that align with one's values and aspirations. Mel's personal examples around exercise, AI use, and social connections illustrate how this framework brings intention and clarity to planning.

Designing a Personal Action Plan

Mel advises listeners to commit to personal motivations that come from deep within—the intrinsic "why" behind goals. This internal drive is more powerful than external pressures or generic advice, producing sustainable change. She encourages practical steps like scheduling social interactions, adopting simple nutrition and exercise habits, and using technological tools like AI to save time and reduce stress. Mel's emphasis on realistic and repeatable systems helps avoid overwhelm, making progress manageable and authentic.

Embracing New Beginnings

Starting something new is presented as an opportunity for growth and excitement. Mel shares her vulnerable and inspiring announcement about launching a new company called Pure Genius, born from her challenges in maintaining adequate protein intake and muscle health. This venture connects the wisdom gained from experts featured on her podcast with a breakthrough protein shot designed for busy people. Her story illustrates how aligned, personal projects can energize and motivate transformative action. Listeners are encouraged to identify their own "starts," whether big or small, that pull them toward a more fulfilling life.

The Power of Writing and Connection

Throughout the episode, Mel highlights scientific research supporting the practice of writing to one's future self. This bridge between past, present, and future enhances motivation and emotional alignment with desired changes. Writing down reflections and plans strengthens commitment and clarifies intentions. Additionally, Mel stresses the importance of relationships and social connections as central predictors of life satisfaction, urging listeners to prioritize meaningful time with loved ones as part of their best year.

Leveraging Tools and Resources

Mel introduces the free companion workbook at melrobins.com/bestyear, designed to help listeners dive deeper into the six questions and create a focused plan. The workbook's structured prompts encourage honest reflection and detailed goal setting. Additionally, Mel advocates for leveraging technology, particularly AI, as a practical aid in organizing life and freeing time for what matters most. This combination of guided reflection, tangible tools, and digital support offers a comprehensive system to turn aspirations into reality.