Welcome 2026 - my list of things to focus on in this year, and everyday

Welcome to the New Year.

The date changed. The clock ticked. And absolutely nothing happened.

When I was younger, I celebrated the arbitrary changing of a number. Now I realize that time is just a collective hallucination we agree to share. The only real clock is biology: Sun up. Sun down.

If the "New Year" gives you a burst of fresh energy, use it. But don't rely on it. Motivation is fickle. Systems are permanent.

This year, I am ignoring resolutions. I am building a machine.

Here is the system I am programming into my daily routine for 2026:

The Energy Protocol

• The Currency: Time is the only asset. Spend it or lose it.

• The Biology: Work out daily. Drink 4 liters of water. Eat slightly less than I want.

• The Mind: Re-read the best books (mastery) rather than skimming new ones (novelty). write everyday.

• The Soul: Play music. Intentionality beats talent.

• The Tribe: Take care of Dipti. Inspire Umika. Spoil Seerat. Call my parents more.

The Glitch in My Matrix During my yearly review, I found a fatal error in my programming.

I have operated as a "Lone Wolf." Head down. Focus on the work. Ignore the room.

In 2021, when I launched Brilliant Digital, it struggled. I analyzed the failure and realized it wasn't a product failure. It was a network failure.

I have thousands of connections on LinkedIn, but in Naperville, I am effectively alone.

The Math of Success Success is not just [Skill]. 

Success is [Skill] x [Network].

If your Network is zero, your total output is zero. At least in the field of business I am in.

I have spent years optimizing my skill stack (Generalist vs. Specialist). 

But I ignored the multiplier. You cannot build a castle on an island.

The Patch for 2026 My North Star is no longer just "output." It is connection. I am abandoning the strategy of "get in, get it done, get out."

I am going to build one of the strongest networks of my life. Not because I need something today, but because you don't build a network when you need it. You build it when you don't.

My Ask If you are reading this, you are part of the simulation. Leave a comment. Tell me one part of your "System" for 2026.

Cheers, Saurabh