I’m re-evaluating some of the decisions I made in 2025, and I’ve realised that in a few situations I invested my time and money in the wrong place. What I expected to be a great opportunity turned into a complete flop, it demanded a lot of energy and gave me zero return, either financially or emotionally.
This experience made me think about how important it is to review where we put our energy. It’s time to “stop watering dead plants” and be more intentional about our choices for 2026.
Every year we create plans, set goals and tell ourselves that things will be different. But often the problem isn’t a lack of effort, it’s that we’re working hard in the wrong direction. We pour time, energy and money into people, projects or habits that don’t move us forward.
If 2025 felt heavy or unproductive in certain areas, the good news is that you can change direction. As you prepare your goals for 2026, this is the perfect moment to look back, understand where your energy went, and choose where it’s truly worth investing it next.
This blog will guide you through the questions that help you make wiser decisions, set meaningful goals and use your time more intentionally.
© Leticia Gaidon Bradford Photography
Why We End Up Putting Effort in the Wrong Places
It’s easy to believe that working harder is always the answer. But hard work only matters when it’s aligned with the right direction.
We often keep pushing in situations that don’t change because:
We are afraid to start again from zero
We hope people will magically change
We feel guilty for letting go
We don’t want to disappoint others
We don’t stop to evaluate what’s actually working
But doing more of what doesn’t work will never bring the result you want.
The Power of Redirecting Your Energy
Redirecting your energy is not giving up, it’s choosing a better path.
Your time, energy and money are your most valuable resources. When you place them where they matter, everything becomes lighter: progress feels natural, opportunities flow more easily and you feel more in control of your life and business.
This is how success is built.
“The most important thing to do if you find yourself in a hole is to stop digging.”
Review Your Energy in 2025 Before Planning 2026
Before setting your goals for 2026, take a moment to ask yourself:
Where did I put most of my energy this year?
What gave me results?
What drained me?
What felt meaningful?
What felt forced?
This simple review can completely change the way you approach the new year.
Questions to Evaluate Where Your Time, Energy and Money Are Really Going
Use these questions as a checklist to analyse whether something deserves your effort in 2026.
1. Does This Bring Me Closer to My Long-Term Goals? If the answer is no, you already have clarity. Your energy should support your future, not distract you from it. This is key for goal setting, personal development and business growth.
2. Am I Getting Any Real Progress or Just Staying Busy? Activity doesn’t always mean improvement.
Ask yourself:
What measurable progress came from this?
Is this growing my skills, my income, my wellbeing or my confidence?
If you’re only staying busy, it might be time to step back.
© Leticia Gaidon Bradford Photography
3. Am I Receiving as Much as I’m Giving? This applies to work, relationships, collaborations, clients, and even habits.
Ask:
Is this a two-way street?
Does this respect my time and energy?
Do I feel valued here?
Healthy investment creates healthy returns.
4. Does This Feel Heavy or Draining? Your body and intuition always know. If something feels exhausting all the time, no matter how hard you work, it may not be the right place for you. Consistency should feel challenging, not painful.
5. What Would Happen If I Let This Go? Sometimes the only thing stopping us from changing direction is fear.
Ask:
Would my life improve if I let this go?
Would I free space for better opportunities?
Letting go creates room for growth.
6. Is This Still Important to Me? People evolve. Dreams evolve. Just because something mattered in the past doesn’t mean it still deserves your energy now. Re-evaluate your priorities honestly.
7. Does This Fit the Person I Want to Become in 2026? Think of your future self. Does this decision match who you are becoming, or hold you back in the past?
Re-Focusing for 2026: Where to Put Your Energy Instead
Once you identify what doesn’t work, refocus on what truly supports your life and business:
Activities that bring growth
People who value and support you
Projects aligned with your goals
Skills that elevate your career
Habits that improve your wellbeing
Investments that bring real return
This is how you build a stronger 2026: by choosing wisely, not by doing more.
Hard work is powerful, but only when it’s in the right direction.
Reviewing your year, asking the right questions and being honest with your energy will help you make better choices and set goals that really matter.
As you step into 2026, choose clarity over pressure, direction over confusion and alignment over noise.
Your energy is precious, protect it, guide it and use it well.
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Thank you for reading.
Bye for now.