2026 Goals – January Review

 

 

2026 Goal Series

 

 

If you are new around here, I have been intentional about setting goals at the beginning of the year (typically five) and posting follow-ups at the end of each month, tracking my progress. I do this for a few reasons, really, but the ones I want to highlight here are my own personal need to achieve them and setting a template for others to potentially follow.

To that end, let’s examine the 2026 goals I am setting. They are, in no particular order:

 

1. Continue to post at least three times a month
2. Build up podcast episodes/exposure
3. Intentionally create and share more short-form content
4. Expand The Mental Health Series
5. Rotational goals for the year

 

Let’s see how January’s progress looks.

***NOTE: The goals are first, followed by the monthly progress in italics.***

 

---

2026 Goals January Review – Continue to post at least three times a month

Posting at least three times a month has proven to be a good cadence

 

Four years.

That’s how long I have been posting steadily – twice a month at first, and at least three times a month, sometimes more – to increase consistency.

I’ve written this before, but I’m extremely protective of the creative content released on this website. I research, write, edit, and publish it all myself. I could allow guest writers to post, but out of all the requests I get (and there are several), I’ve yet to get one that I believe aligns with what The Wealthy Ironworker stands for. Better to keep it focused, intentional, and authentic. I’ve chosen fewer genuine articles over a disingenuous abundance.

And the reward for doing this? Numerous articles on Google’s first page.

I want to add some more, which is why this goal is consistently on my radar.

 

January 2026 has seen at least 4 articles, so this goal has been met.

 

---

 

2026 Goals January Review – Build up podcast episodes/exposure

What I see in the “studio.”

 

I started the podcast in December 2023, took some time off, and am back behind the mic, full speed ahead. I have plenty of episode ideas, so achieving this goal shouldn’t be a problem at all.

You can find the audio podcasts here, and the video podcast page is located here. Likewise, you can listen to/watch on Spotify, iTunes, IHeart Radio, YouTube, or Rumble if that is your cup of tea.

The social media outlets I’d highlight are Reddit (my favorite), Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Stay tuned, and, as always, you can (and are encouraged to) send us an email at any time via the contact page form.

 

Definitely met this goal for the month of January. I am pleased.

 

---

 

2026 Goals January Review – Intentionally create & share more short-form content

 

Until now, I have resisted this particular goal for two reasons. First, I didn’t want to go through the extra work required to create the videos. This has been taken care of by Riverside, where I record my podcast episodes; they do the work for me.

The second reason is more fundamental. I deplore the way culture shortens attention spans through the short-form content that’s most prevalent – the humorous and the sexually provocative.

With the articles I write and the podcast episodes I record, complex topics are explored via long-form content. The thought of taking that and turning it into bite-sized nuggets, and actively contributing to attention-shortening doom scrolling, is anathema to me.

But alas, when in Rome…

To that end, I will utilize the available tools and create more short-form content, and then share it on social media platforms. I can’t get better if I don’t start somewhere.

 

In January, I created a spreadsheet and began organizing short-form content on my computer. I have shared a few videos and will ramp it up in February.

 

---

2026 Goals January Review – Expand The Mental Health Series

 

I’ve been in the trades for a long time now, and I can attest to the number of people (mostly men) who have been overwhelmed by the challenges life has presented to them. Many are steamrolled because of the demands of work, relationship and marriage failures, the corrupt family court system that turns them into mere paychecks, substance abuse, and the lack of friends – I could go on, and indeed, I plan to while I expand The Mental Health Series.

Like other series, the outline is subject to change, but as it currently stands, I have a rough one that looks like this:

1. Mental Health in the Construction Industry
2. Acknowledging the Stigma Against Mental Health
3. Men & The Broken Family Court System
4. Finances – Fighting For What Your Time is REALLY Worth
5. Substance Abuse – A Skilled Trades Epidemic
6. Social Media – We’ve Never Been So Connected But So Isolated
7. Comparison – The Thief of Joy
8. Hope – The Elephant NOT in the Room
9. Suicide – YOU Matter More Than You Know
10. You Are NOT A Burden
11. We NEED Good Friends
12. Burnout – THE Future of the Industry
13. Bad Therapy: Why The Kids Aren’t Growing Up – Book Review
14. Becoming Resilient – What Can We Do?

 

This is, of course, subject to change (as I expand my research), so the above is not static.

I understand that people consume podcasts more readily than the written word; to that end, once this series is written, it will, at some point, be turned into podcast episodes. The work, when completed, will definitely be worth it in the end.

In any case, I WILL be researching, writing, and publishing numerous articles in this series in 2026.

 

For January 2026, I didn’t write anything in this series. I am working on this series though; a few articles are in draft form.

 

---

 

2026 Goals January Review – Rotational goals for the year

 

What exactly are rotational goals?

Well, I thought instead of adding one additional goal here, I’d try something different and add several that could be accomplished throughout the year. This not only gives me the flexibility to adjust my focus month by month, but it also enables me to accomplish more by the end of 2026. I did this last year, and I liked it, which is why it’s back for another year.

As of right now, these are the rotational goals I’m including here (subject to change/expansion, of course):

1. Study and take the NASCLA Exam
2. Study and take the ASP Exam
3. Review at least 6 more books for The Book Review Series to be published in 2026
4. Do more product reviews
5. Research and begin hiking The Appalachian Trail through Virginia

 

I’ll expand on what exactly I am looking to do with each of them below.

 

Study and take the NASCLA Exam

The NASCLA Exam (National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies) is a general contractor’s trade exam you can take, and it has reciprocity in at least 20 states. Meaning, you take this exam, and it grants you a general contractor’s license in at least 20 states; there is no need to take 20 separate state exams (you still have to take the law exam for each state, however). There’s a great benefit to doing it this way.

In any case, I am studying 23 different books (yes, you read that right) for an exam I’ll take sometime early to mid-2026.

 

I probably could have taken the exam by now, but I treated it like an expensive investment, so I felt compelled to study more. I took the time to go through and take practice exams for EACH book. This gave me a better understanding of how to navigate the books. 

However, as of January 24th, I, along with my colleagues, now work for another company, and because the previous company purchased the books – you guessed it – I had to turn them in.

I ordered new books, already tabbed and highlighted, and once they arrived, I began to study again. I have scheduled the NASCLA exam for February 26th.

 

Study and take the ASP Exam

If you’re not familiar, ASP stands for Associate Safety Professional, a safety credential offered by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals. It’s not an absolute necessity, but you must have a certification from the BCSP before you can pursue the CSP (Certified Safety Professional) designation. Think of the CSP as the MBA (Master of Business Administration) for the safety world.

I looked into this a few years ago and ultimately decided against it. Now that I am taking the NASCLA exam, this credential is back on my radar.

 

I won’t be working toward the ASP until I finish the NASCLA Exam. Until then, this particular rotational goal is on the back burner. 

 

Review/publish at least 6 more books for The Book Review Series

Last year, I had this as a rotational goal; it worked well (e.g., I achieved it), and if it isn’t broke, why try to fix it?

There are so many good books out there I want to read and review – many of which are sitting on a bookshelf waiting patiently (AND I added more over the 2025 Christmas holiday ). By setting a specific number of them to read and review, I have elevated the bar to hold myself accountable. No subject is off the table, either. From economics to leadership, personal development to research exploration, numerous subjects find their way to my library.

The most interesting thing to me, however, is just how many of the book reviews wind up on Google’s first page. That wasn’t part of the goal, but I’ll take it!

Look for at least 6 book reviews in 2026.

 

One book already down: Alpha Dog – Book Review. There are several more in draft form, so I have no doubt this goal will be met, and likely exceeded by the end of the year.

 

Do more product reviews

I have several things I’d like to offer my opinion on through product reviews, hence the goal. Let’s see what product reviews I end up doing.

 

There were no product reviews in January. February may be different.

 

Research and begin hiking The Appalachian Trail through Virginia

Out of all the rotational goals I’ve set, THIS is the one I am most excited about.

Why?

Because I plan on doing this with my son. At the time of writing, he is only 8, and The Appalachian Trail in Virginia is 557 miles long (approximately a quarter of the entire Appalachian Trail), making it a multi-year endeavor. I’m excited for sure.

 

I already have a couple of articles in draft form and a day trip to McAfee Knob planned in a couple of months, along with a spreadsheet outlining potential trips in the future. Until then, however, I won’t have much to write about. 

 

---

 

Conclusion

2026 is starting off bright

 

The 2026 goals I have are certainly achievable – IF I focus and become more intentional about them.

Speaking about being intentional, rather than letting life simply happen to you, set some goals, evaluate them at regular intervals, and begin to work on achieving them. It’s not always easy, but then again, easy isn’t appreciated or enjoyed. When you’ve been intentional, disciplined yourself, and made sacrifices, you begin to see the true value of achieving those goals. And that worth is often far more than you thought.

Follow along and set some 2026 goals!