The Personal Brand & Business Journal

— Issue #7

From Christine Ntim

Christine Ntim

How I Plan a Year That Actually Works

Why this is landing right on time—and how to make sure 2026 doesn’t quietly slip away

If you’ve been feeling a shift in your energy lately, you’re not imagining it.

The second Friday of January, often referred to as “Quitters’ Day.”
Statistically, this is when most people abandon the goals they felt so clear about just weeks ago.

Only 8–10% actually follow through on their goals by the end of the year.

Not because they aren’t capable.
Not because they lack discipline.
But because motivation fades—and strategy is what sustains momentum.

That’s why I’m sending this now.

Back in December, I hosted my annual planning and alignment session for entrepreneurs and professionals who wanted to enter 2026 with clarity, not pressure. If you missed it—or want to revisit it with fresh eyes—you can watch the replay here:

 [Watch the Annual Planning Session Replay]

This newsletter is meant to pick up where that session left off.
A reminder.
A reset.
And a practical guide to help you stay in the 8–10% who actually build the year they envision.

Planning Isn’t About Doing More — It’s About Designing What Works

This is my third  consecutive year using the planning framework I’m about to share.

It’s how I manage multiple ventures, grow my personal brand, speak globally, and still protect what matters most to me—my time, health, and relationships.

Here’s how I plan a year that actually works.

Step 1: Reset Your Relationship With Time

Before you plan forward, you have to close the past.

Most people rush into goal-setting without acknowledging what actually happened—and then wonder why their plans feel disconnected.

I start with what I call Rules of Reflection (30–60 minutes):

• Review your calendar
• Scroll through photos
• Look at analytics, highlights, or wins
• Re-read feedback, testimonials, or messages

Step 2: Anchor Yourself in Values, Traditions & Culture Codes

Before goals, I ask:

• Did I live my values honestly?
• Did I protect the traditions that ground me?
• What “culture codes” guide how I make decisions and set boundaries?

This step creates emotional clarity—and prevents burnout disguised as ambition.

Step 3: Plan in Three Arms (Not One)

Most people only plan work. That’s why everything feels heavy.

I plan across three connected arms:

1. Life Plan – 8 key segments representing crucial life areas, typically including Career/Work, Finances, Health, Family & Friends, Romance/Partner, Personal Growth, Fun & Recreation, and Environment (Home/Work)
2. Personal Brand Business Plan – visibility, expertise, income across multiple channels like coaching, paid speaking etc 
3. Venture / Income Portfolio – businesses, consulting, investment opportunities 

Momentum comes from alignment across all three.

Step 4: Close Open Loops Before You Look Ahead

You can’t plan a clean year with cluttered mental space.

Before mapping the future, I:

• Clean digital files
• Declutter physical spaces
• Finish or consciously release unfinished commitments

Step 5: Add Rules of Awareness (This Is Where Plans Get Real)

Reflection looks backward.
Awareness looks outward.

Each year, I list:

• Key trends (AI, economy, industry shifts)
• Best-, mid-, and worst-case scenarios
• How those trends affect my time, income, and priorities

Your plan should respond to reality—not ignore it.

Step 6: Think in Decades, Not Just Years

I plan with three lenses:

• 100-year thinking (legacy)
• 10-year vision (direction)
• 1-year execution (focus)

Zooming out creates patience.
Zooming in creates precision.

Step 7: Choose a One-Word Theme for the Year

Every year gets one word:

• Clarity
• Alignment
• Experimentation

That word becomes a decision filter.
If it doesn’t align, it doesn’t get my energy.

Step 8: Design Balance With a Life Wheel

I intentionally plan across:

• Health
• Relationships
• Career
• Finances
• Personal growth
• Leisure
• Spirituality
• Love

Then I build systems, not willpower, to support them.

Step 9: Theme Your Days to Protect Energy

I use themed days:

• Deep work days (once a month)
• Business days- Tues-Thursday
• No-call days- Mondays 
• Flex / close-out days- Fridays 

Step 10: Pilot the Year Before It Runs You

Try to pilot your intentions for 1 week, then adjust… yes even in this month of January you can pilot your new structure. 

If You’re Still With Me, This Is Your Next Step

Knowing the framework is one thing.
Executing it—especially when fear, doubt, and visibility come into play—is another.

That’s why I’m hosting a live session designed specifically for this phase of the year:

Your 2026 Rebrand Reset

Reinvent Your Personal Brand & Business to Attract Opportunities, Speaking & Scalable Revenue

 January 28, 2026
 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM EST
 Virtual | Live Masterclass

This session is for you if:

1. You don’t want to quit quietly on your goals
2. You know visibility is essential—but want to do it strategically
3. You’re ready to align your brand with where the market is now
4. You want your personal brand to work for you—not exhaust you

Quitters’ Day doesn’t have to be your story.

This can be the moment you reset—with clarity, confidence, and direction.

I’d love to support you.

With intention,
Christine Ntim

P.S. I’m hosting a live, private masterclass on January 28th, 10:30–12:00 PM EST — Your 2026 Rebrand Reset.
No replays. If you want to reset strategically, be there live. Private Zoom (No Replays Available)

P.P.S. If this journal helped you, feel free to share it with a friend. Here’s the link.