I can’t tell you how many years I’ve been tied up in fantasy thinking—believing that if I worked harder, smarter, or faster, something magical would happen. And sometimes it did. But when big expansions were followed by big contractions, I would crumble, looking outside myself for proof or answers: Am I doing something wrong? Is this not my path? Maybe I can’t have what I want after all.

Working with business owners, I’ve realized it’s not usually a lack of vision that holds us back. Most of us are motivated by big dreams and a belief in what’s possible. We have high standards for ourselves, and we are fully committed to achieving them.

The challenge isn’t dreaming big—it’s building the capacity to hold what we actually want.

Big goals and strategy can take us far, but they don’t always give us lasting fulfillment. Sometimes getting the thing you wanted doesn’t always feel the way you imagined.

As thought leader Adam Grant says:

“The ultimate test of success is not whether you’re proud of what you’ve achieved. It’s whether you’re proud of who you’ve become.”

From my experience building multiple businesses, I now believe embodiment in each moment is the only path to true fulfillment. Happiness isn’t waiting at the finish line; it’s here and now, in the way we believe in each day.

So how do we balance our juicy visions with the present moment? How can we be honest about what needs to shift while also honoring what’s here to stay?

That’s the work of manifestation. It is not a linear process. When we call something fresh and new into our lives, we are always invited to let something go. The practice of manifestation is a dance between releasing old stories and living more fully into new ones that align with who we are becoming.

This past weekend, I made a vision board for 2026, with four words for the year. I chose words I can embody now.

Because the #1 law of the universe is like attracts like.

Nothing changes in our life until we change our energy. Living into fresh energy, owning it before the world mirrors it back to us, is the hardest part of manifestation. Authentic creation always starts with being, which inspires doing, and attracts having.

As I like to say:

“Manifesting is not about attracting what you want. It’s about awareness and understanding that you attract what you are.”

Here are the words I chose for 2026, along with the essence of what each means to me in this season of life and business:

1. EXPRESSIVE – Sharing a feeling, perspective, or truth that invites connection, reflection, and a shift in energy.

2. CARING – Moving through the world with compassion, and a desire for growth, transformation, and co-creation.

3. DEVOTED– To my creative process, internal world, close loved ones, beauty, and wellness practices.

4. EMBODIED – Fully present and comfortable in my body, moving at a pace that honors awareness, intention, and discernment in each moment.

Your turn! How do you want to feel this year? Would love to hear your words in the comments.

We can’t always count on magic appearing out of thin air, and fulfillment manifests when clear energy drives our goals. Here’s to embodying the life you are ready to hold!

If you’re a business owner seeking both a strategic and energetic container for your year, I invite you to work with me 1:1 through my annual Strategic Growth Path.

And if you’re local to the San Francisco Bay Area, there are 4 spots available for a vision boarding workshop with The Marin Merchant in Sausalito this Sunday, 1/11.