Getting Life on Track, Setting Goals and Building a Strong Mind
This Post has been something I have had on my mind for a while, in fact, it is a post I have been wanting to get out weeks ago, but I held it back just to get it out when I have got everything off my mind and onto this post. I also felt holding it back and waiting for my first pay cheque from my new job would benefit the post too, and you will find out why further into my post. I really look forward to letting my mind flow and seeing what becomes of this post as I navigate from my notes from the previous days and put this together. In a way, it feels like a closure chapter of my awful 2025, and the new chapter I am entering is the beginning of something really special and exciting.
For those familiar with my blog, you will already know some backstory and going into this post, you will have some idea of what has been going on in the past year. For those stumbling across me or just not too up to date with my story, in short, 2025 was a disaster year, the worst of my life and in general, I just didn't have any success or direction. Job struggles, Money struggles, and low motivation. That has since mostly changed, and this year I have it in my mind to make it better, and so far it is going very well.
I finally got my first pay cheque from my new job, and I feel very happy. I was being paid at Amazon beforehand, but with the zero-hour contracts and never getting work, it was very unstable. One week I would receive some money, the next, zero! Amazon ruined me by not giving me any shifts, but then belittling the staff when they tried to seek why this was. That chapter is behind me now, and I am glad of it. The Stress has vanished, money anxiety has for the most part gone, and, more importantly, I can structure my life and free time so much better, as my new job, I know well in advance my shifts rather than Amazon telling me at 10 pm whether I have or do not have work at 9 am the following morning. This Pay cheque from my new job made me smile, and I have focused my mindset on structuring what I am going to do with it and other big plans for the year. Since the pay cheque, I have already set aside some of it for saving (£200), and I decided to treat myself with another portion of it. A treat that would greatly enhance my reading.
Yeah, I hate Amazon, working for them anyway, but I felt I found a cheeky loophole deal here, with the latest gen Kindle Paperwhite. Currently, they are on a heavy discount and also offering a further discount for trading in an old Kindle device. My Kindle is the low-end basic model, old, second-hand, and I got it very cheap in the first place. I did the math, processed it through the site and long story short, I got a Kindle priced at £160 for £70. I think the deal was just too nice to turn down. Being a Kindle user, I knew I would be using it a lot too, so for me a smart investment. My only treat for the month, and I am happy with that.
I finally, after many weeks, finished this incredible book. It is a really brilliant book, and I recommend it to anyone, regardless of your current situation. David Goggins is an incredible guy, and put simply, this book for me really was an eye-opener and gave me such motivation to "change my life". One thing I really enjoyed about this book was the Tasks David asked you to do after reading each chapter, and my favourite task was to write down my goals and aspirations for the year, regardless of difficulty. I later found out that statistically, you are more likely to achieve the goals that you write down on paper compared to not documenting them. So with that being said, I wrote down my goals.
Excuse the terrible handwriting, I know it is bad. In a way, I think that's what most young people today have trouble with, I know at least in the UK most learning now takes place on Computers and other tech devices, it is great, but also handwriting is very important. Maybe if I use this notepad more, I will take an interest in looking to improve my writing, maybe even get those special pens that are easier to hold and more comfortable. I am also left-handed, if that makes any difference at all. For those who can't quite read from the photo, I will list them now.
2026 Goals / David Goggins
• Save Money (£200 Monthly)
• Sports article writing - build online reputation
• Lose weight - try to achieve 80KG (176.37lbs)
• Read 30 books
• Walk 10K steps daily
• Travel and leave the UK for a vacation
• Learn more Italian or a new language
• Study and learn from free online courses
• Network, meet people, attend events/conferences
• Complete a hike with friends
• Try new things / Learn something new
• Capture more moments
• Join a group or community
Mostly simple goals, as for me, this year is mostly about starting fresh and building forward. Rather than pursuing some high-end long-term goals. Of course, I have bigger goals and aspirations, but for this year, I am focusing on small wins and getting the most wins I can after A terrible year last year.
The goals themselves, I have some plans in mind for how I will achieve each goal. David Goggins made a very important point in stating that whatever I write down, I have to ask 3 questions.
Why do I want this?
What will it cost me?
Am I willing to pay that price?
Some brutal questions, but very worthy questions. I am lucky that with my goals, the sacrifices and choices I have to make to achieve them are not too brutal and extreme, and for the most part, all of my goals can be achieved with my current lifestyle with small changes rather than completely overhauling my life. The long-term goal is to change my life for the better, but I am seeking a slow change and focusing on small wins.
I will share the ways I will try to achieve these goals.
• Save Money (£200 Monthly). Taking £200 instantly out of my pay cheque each month and cutting down on pointless spending.
Sports article writing - build online reputation. Alongside Hive, I want to pursue my interest in sports more, posting both to Hive and maybe building some sort of audience on Medium or a social media platform.
Lose weight - try to achieve 80KG. I started the year at 118KG(260.145lbs), and in February, I started my aggressive calorie-deficient diet, and as of this post, I am at 111KG.
Read 30 books. . I have read 6 books so far this year, using both Spotify audiobooks and my Kindle device. The goal is 30; it is very high, but I have a pre-read bedtime routine and will also read on various commutes.
Walk 10K steps daily. Regardless of any factors I will set out to walk 10k steps a day.
Travel and leave the UK for a vacation. I have not been on holiday for 2 years, I have set my mind on treating myself to travelling somewhere after such a horrid 2025, but also a fresh and good start to 2026.
Learn more Italian or a new language. Mostly using Duolingo, I am learning Italian, and I look to continue, but I am also undecided whether to throw another language into the mix.
Study and learn from free online courses. Take advantage of the free courses available online to boost my resume and overall knowledge across a wide range of things.
Network, meet people, attend events/conferences. After such an Amazing CWH Hive UK meetup, I want to again attend meetups and also expand it to Expos, conferences and anything that I feel interested in.
Complete a hike with friends. I like walking, but I have never taken up a long hike. Norfolk offers some amazing spots, and I am looking to set out on a long one.
Try new things / learn something new. Keep learning.
Capture more moments. Take more photos/videos. Capture more moments to look back on and also celebrate.
Join a group or community. Network more and join a group or community which shares my interests.
Those are my goals, and some small ways I look to go out and achieve these goals. As with Hive in general, I found myself always learning whilst being in this space. I am always meeting great people and hearing and sharing stories. Regardless of background, I find myself united with many people I meet in spaces like this. There are way too many people to mention when it comes to expressing my gratitude to people. Hive is A platform that has allowed me to express myself, and the people on Hive are people who have done similar and also enjoy being open and honest. You don't get stuff like what Hive offers on platforms like Facebook, X and others. There is a story to be told by every user. I hope that if you have made it this far into the post, you have learnt something or are feeling a little inspired to go do something you want to pursue.
Since networking more and reading the great Can't Hurt Me by David Goggins, I have learnt so much. David Goggins teaches in Can’t Hurt Me, that true growth comes from embracing the struggle instead of avoiding it. You’re stronger than you think. The key is consistency, mental toughness, and refusing to let challenges define you. I will share with you a quote from the back of the book cover
"You are in danger of living a life so comfortable and soft that you will die without ever realising your true potential. Most people avoid suffering, but the path to greatness is paved with it. You have to callous your mind, embrace the pain, and push past the point where everyone else quits. That’s where the growth happens."
That quote still shocks me today. Goggins was at rock bottom, and yet 3–5 years of extreme commitment and relentless self-discipline He became not only A Navy Seal but so much more, pushing past limits that most people wouldn’t even approach.
As I mentioned before, I highly recommend this book to anyone regardless of situations, background and personal journeys. I also recommend listening to some of his speeches. He has changed my mindset and also helped me be more productive in my life.
Looking at the rest of the year ahead, I have some big plans going forward, and I will be doing stuff I have never done before, and if this were this time last year, I would not even be thinking it.
the year ahead. It’s a fresh chapter full of opportunities to chase new goals, explore uncharted ideas, and push the boundaries of what I can achieve. I’m excited to meet inspiring people along the way. Every challenge will be a chance to learn, refine my skills, and expand my horizons. Through travel, exploring new technologies, or diving into creative projects. This year feels like a journey in motion, and I can’t wait to embrace every moment of growth, discovery, and achievement it brings.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this post! I really appreciate you sticking with me through my reflections, goals, and plans for the year ahead. I hope that something here has inspired you, given you a new idea, or maybe even motivated you to take action on your own goals.
I’d love to hear your thoughts—please feel free to leave a comment, share your own experiences, or let me know what goals you’re excited about this year. Here’s to growth, learning, and making 2026 a year to remember!
Disclaimer: all photos are my own unless otherwise stated.
This was a great read. You can really feel the difference between surviving and actually starting to move forward again, and that’s no small thing after a brutal year.
I also love that your goals are realistic and grounded. No fake motivational nonsense, just solid steps, small wins, and actual effort. That’s the kind of stuff that changes a life.
Also, that Kindle deal was an absolute sneaky win and I approve.
Wishing you a 2026 with a lot more stability, progress, and way less nonsense.
Thank you for the kind words.
Yeah, I wanted goals I knew I could achieve rather than try and reach ones that were unrealistic.
The kindle deal was amazing I am already loving the paper white so much faster and responsive compared to the basic. Warm light feature will help me with late evening bedtime reading too.
Thank you and I wish you the same for a great 2026.
Congrats on the new job. Putting away £200 a month is great, it's going to build up to a nice nest to fund your travels next year.
The rest of your goals are very achievable, though personally I'd stick to learning just one language rather than spreading out too thin. Learning a language is soooo difficult, I'm struggling with just Spanish atm
As to communities, do you mean Hive ones or real life ones? Hive has zillions for every genre, including the Hive Book club if you want to do a review on Goggin's book. And @blanchy has recently set up Sportsblock, that would be the perfect place for your sports content
He found us already @livinguktaiwan . He's a good egg although he likes slagging off Spurs . But we will keep him.
Haha! That's what I call sportsmanship
Haha do not ban me, I'm just stating facts its in the history of the Tottenham of course🤣
Thank you for the positive words and yeah £200 is very achievable to do for me so we shall see how it goes.
Yeah I feel stuck with Italian I love it but it feels I ain't really progressing with it but then again I am just using Duolingo and should opt to use other stuff with it to help with learning.
Mostly in real life ones to keep active or have something to look forward too in my days off from work.
Congratulations on your first pay-check, that must feel an incredible win! Love that you are so excited to be moving forward and your goals look great, so pleased you are taking care of your health and looking after your weight. You did a great job with the Kindle,too. It was really nice to meet you at the Hive Meetup - hope we catch up again before too long.
Thank you for the kind words and yes i look forward to many more Hive meets
View or trade
LOHtokens.@ladiesofhive, you successfully shared 0.1000 LOH with @chris-uk and you earned 0.1000 LOH as tips. (3/50 calls)
Use !LADY command to share LOH! More details available in this post.
...𝔻𝕀𝕊ℂ𝕆𝕍𝔼ℝ𝕐...
...!discovery...
This post was shared and voted inside the discord by the curators team of discovery-it
Join our Community and follow our Curation Trail
Discovery-it is also a Witness, vote for us here
Delegate to us for passive income. Check our 80% fee-back Program
This post has been manually curated by @bhattg from Indiaunited community. Join us on our Discord Server.
Do you know that you can earn a passive income by delegating to @indiaunited. We share more than 100 % of the curation rewards with the delegators in the form of IUC tokens.
Here are some handy links for delegations: 100HP, 250HP, 500HP, 1000HP.
100% of the rewards from this comment goes to the curator for their manual curation efforts. Please encourage the curator @bhattg by upvoting this comment and support the community by voting the posts made by @indiaunited.
Congratulations on your new job! Posts like this are always a great read, because of an honest personal story shared... Having a positive mindset is so powerful, but very often we forgot on that, mostly as they are suppressed by social media spreading fear and uncertainty everywhere and all the time!
That's why posts like yours are important... Where people can see that even after an awful year, with a bit of positive attitude, the help of a good book, and a small push by the community, things can change for the better!
And regarding your handwriting, you are doing much better than I, or many others... hahahaha... I read all your goals from your image, before noticing you listed them below... 😃
Btw. I think there is a "shortcut" solution for these goals:
Hive Open Days in Alicante, Spain! 😃 You will cover all above... travelling abroad, learning Spanish, networking with people, hiking on Tabarca and the castle, capturing some awesome moments, and joining the @BuzzParty community... 😃
See you there! 🥂
I have picked this post on behalf of the @OurPick project! Check out our Reading Suggestions Posts!
Please consider voting for our Liotes HIVE Witness. Thank you!
Thank you for the kind words and yeah it felt good writing this post, it felt like it lifted so much weight and stress off my chest just to get everything out of my mind and onto a notepad and this blog, Going forward I will write more stuff down, it feels good.
I would have loved to travelled to Alicante but I think it is too soon and just settling into a new job. I will be looking out much more for any future events :)
Oh, it's a pity that you won't be able to come, as I'm sure it will be a blast! Especially as people who usually come to these smaller-than-HiveFest events are some amazing folks! Anyways, there will be other occasions in the future for sure!
I hope you achieve your goals. Getting some stability with the new job should help. We may well meet up again somewhere.
!BEER
You can do it bro, but need consistently which is important in every field of life 💖 keep it up, I like your strategy.
View or trade
BEER.Hey @chris-uk, here is a little bit of
BEERfrom @steevc for you. Enjoy it!Learn how to earn FREE BEER each day by staking your
BEER.