2026 and your goals. Let's try to set them for Q1.
Since I haven't been able to meet my work goals very well in the last few quarters, I now plan to approach them more systematically and not push myself too hard on work goals, as that ultimately led to problems that made my plan less sustainable.
So here is my structure and list:
Work goals:
👉 Edit min. 15 pre-recorded YouTube videos
👉 Remove inactive newsletter subscribers, which will be in the hundreds (this will be mentally difficult)
👉 Product Hunt on Product Hunt (this is a specific product, not a random product)
Personal goals:
👉 Stay consistent in exercising
👉 Learn 4 languages (+ read lessons from textbooks I ordered), ideally every day
👉 Eat less sweets
👉 Go to bed before midnight more often (and not at 2, like I did before)
What are your goals for the first quarter of 2026?
Replies
ZapDigits
Personal goals
Compete in my first Muay Thai fight
Read 20 books this year
Build a consistent meditation practice
Work Goals
Scale @ZapDigits to $30k MRR
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@malithmcrdev Ooooh, I didn't know you do martials, cool! I like it! :D Regarding books – what do you want to read? Reveal your wish list :D
ZapDigits
@busmark_w_nika been doing martial arts for a long time but never tried to compete. But feels like its time.
About the books, I started last year reading The Echo Man by Sam Holland and I loved it. Just finished her second book The Twenty and it was even better. I am planing to continue reading all her books :D (She doesn't have many). After that, some of James Patterson's books but seems like he never write books by himself anymore.
What about you? What language are you trying to learn? I can recommend Italian.
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@malithmcrdev I am envious, I haven't read a single book in 2025 :D :DDD lol. When it comes to me, I am trying to learn Spanish, German and French (Italian is a next level) :D
ZapDigits
@busmark_w_nika You will (have to) learn German so fast if you move to a small town in Germany.
@malithmcrdev where are you based ? I am always up for a sparring :)
ZapDigits
@ivo_gospodinov I am in The Netherlands. What about you? Would love to spar.
@malithmcrdev I am based between UK and Bulgaria, I am visiting Netherlands in May. I am adding you on Linked in to stay in touch.
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@malithmcrdev @ivo_gospodinov This is one of the best thing that can happen – PH people meeting in real life.
Fantastic question, @busmark_w_nika!
Happy New Year, everyone!
Work goals:
Keep working on two books:
A book of poetry
The definitive guide to language-market fit by Hashem ElAssad and me (years in the making, hopefully we'll publish it this year!)
Start a Substack newsletter and post weekly
Launch my community for creative solopreneurs
Personal goals:
Continue learning Spanish
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@nikkielizdemere Happy NY to you as well! :) Most of your goals are related to creative writing. What will your newsletter be about?
Regarding Spanish learning – How do you approach that? E.g. I started with Duolingo and in December ordered books – but they packed CD and I do not have CD Rom and they do not offer those recordings in MP3 :D That's a shame. :DDD
@busmark_w_nika @nikkielizdemere I second that substack ambition, just started my own! Once yours is here, let me know and I will be among your first subscribers :)
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@nikkielizdemere @matthias_biehl Actually, I have my Substack for almost 1.5 years. https://businessandmarketing.substack.com/ What do you want to write about? :)
I think my biggest goals are to improve my public speaking skills and, health-wise, take better care of my allergies.
Apart from that, it'd be to take my startup a step further and read more books.
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@kavyashree_s1 Regarding public speaking, I have a few tips:
– practice in front of the camera
– practice in front of the mirror
– write down topics, prepare, and talk 15 – 20 minutes on some topic :)
@busmark_w_nika Thank you for the tips. I'll give them a try. I was thinking of recording myself talking every day, at least 1 minute video.
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@kavyashree_s1 I think that 1 minute is a good start, but take time and give yourself at least those 15 minutes. :)
@busmark_w_nika Yes, will do! I'll increase the time gradually. Thank you!!
I think my biggest goal is to be more active on social sites. More commenting, more posting ... get in to a good rhythm.
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@webshark Which socials do you have in mind? :) I would recommend to focus on one social media first :)
@busmark_w_nika Probably Linkedin
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@webshark So we see each other there even more :D
@busmark_w_nika stay tuned ... launching a helpful tool on Tuesday for it
Work Goals
Launch Trevidia on product hunt
Reduce Screen time to reasonable levels, while still achieving the task for the day
Personal goals
Swim once every week.
Spend more time with family.
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@uchenna_nwaorgu What is a reasonable level for screen time? :D Because the norm of many people worldwide is in avg. 3 or 4 hours :D Which is a lot :D
P.S. What does Trevidia do? :)
@busmark_w_nika 4 hours is a lot :0. My average screen time is around 12 hours, so aiming for about 8 hours would be reasonable.
Also Trevidia is an invoice generator that allows freelancers and small businesses manage and create invoice without the hassle of larger more complex invoicing softwares.
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@uchenna_nwaorgu To be honest, my screen time on the laptop is not any better, but I use it for work, so.... :D Wish us luck!
The fact that you have a separate goal for removing inactive newsletter subscribers just reminded me that I need to do the same. I recently organized my email inboxes and removed a few, but I still need to sit down and clear out more.
I’m joining you in eating fewer sweets (wish me luck 😭) and trying to be in bed by 12.
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@rashiaroraofficial The same problem here :D also, I should remove some stuff from my Gmail cause I hit the storage limit lol :D
Building more fun games. Updating more game modes for published games. Reaching more influencers & players community.
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@rickyguo Your 2026 will be about MORE good things! :) I have my fingers crossed for you! :)
@busmark_w_nika Really appreciated! :) Your one will be wonderful too! :)
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@rickyguo Working on that! :D Thank you :)
MultiDrive
Great topic!
Work goals:
• Make MultiDrive a top-3 solution in this field
• Build partnerships with other vendors
Personal goals:
• Earn an Amazon certification
• Continue learning French and Polish
• Spend more time with my family and support them
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@tetianai I thought that Polish was your mother tongue. Why did I think that? :DDD BTW, I am trying to learn French too, but not doing well at all. 🥲
MultiDrive
@busmark_w_nika I guess it’s because I tried one app, and it showed that I have a Polish accent :D I shared it at the launch of that app. I’m Ukrainian. 🙂
Oh, me too, I think the best way is probably to take courses in France. I did that about 7 years ago. It was organized by the French Embassy. It was really nice, even though it lasted only two week, and now I forgot a lot :)
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@tetianai Oh, I remember, it was that one app that scanned the accent and showed you the percentage :D I think that If I was pushed a bit more into learning languages, I would be way better ahhahaha
MultiDrive
@busmark_w_nika me too :D
Hello fellow sugar tooth👋😂. That's one of my goals too!
My goals for first quarter -
Work Goals -
Complete the ongoing pilot for my climatic startup, HydroPlas Tech, and bring in the first stream of revenue, no matter how small or loss making it is.
Complete my side project VibeEdit and list it here on PH.
Personal Goals -
Start reading David Deutsh's The Beginning of Infinity as part of my triad book club.
Grow more muscle mass while reducing fat.
Start creating short form content for my startup instagram page, and be consistent with my Linkedin activity.
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@avhijit_nair Our sugar level is too high, that's why we are so hyperactive :DDD I am so aligned with your last 2 points from personal growth. The older I am, the weaker my body mass is. We should be sparing partners :D
@busmark_w_nika Totally! Let's keep a tap on each other's fitness journey, maybe like on a bi-weekly basis💪
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@avhijit_nair But I workout every day :D
@busmark_w_nika Yeah, me too, I meant on progress after every 2 weeks :)
Happy new year! Great to put the goals into writing here:
Work:
✦ Grow my empathy platform (launching this month on PH) to 200 users
Personal
✦ Keep my fitness consistent, daily exercise, one day off per week
✦ Create more in general, just started using Substack for my writing
✦ Keep learning Japanese so I can finally hold a conversation with my partner's parents
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@matthias_biehl How does the empathy platform work?
@busmark_w_nika At its core, it is a platform that provides random, but intentional one-to-one conversations between its users. Each month users receive a new person, that may be anyone from anywhere, and a conversation starter in their inbox. The rest is up to them.
My goal is to break down barriers, spark conversation and help people build empathy by meeting and chatting with people that are outside of their usual circles.
If you are interested in finding out more, I am always open for a chat :)
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@matthias_biehl So is it something like "connecting/social media platform"? Wouldn't be better to connect them with therapists?