2026 Goals – February 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 February’s progress looks.

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

 

---

2026 Goals February 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.

 

In February 2026, at least 3 articles were published – not including any Musings – which means, this goal has been met.

 

---

 

2026 Goals February 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 February. For the entire month of March, I will be VERY busy working a shut down (for those who don’t know, a shutdown is a time where someplace is “shutdown,” which allows for scheduled work to take place. Most of the time, the work schedule is 7 days a week, 12 hours a day – or 7/12’s). This means I may have a lag between podcast episodes. 

BUT, I may do more short-form content while out on site, which is a good segue into……

 

---

 

2026 Goals February 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 of creating 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.

Through the articles I write and the podcast episodes I record, I explore complex topics in 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 use available tools to create more short-form content and share it on social media platforms. I can’t get better if I don’t start somewhere.

 

February saw more podcast shorts being published, which is a win. However, because it will be a busy month working 7/12’s, I have considered more short-form content while on site – maybe “A Day in The Life of a Superintendent” or “A Day in The Life of a Construction Manager” or something to that effect. 

Additionally, I will be taking numerous pictures for the articles, but I may also try to create some additional short-form content about what it’s like to be an industrial ironworker. 

IF I do, you’ll know: I’ll likely turn them into Musings. 

 

---

2026 Goals February 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 February 2026, I didn’t write anything in this series. I am working on this series, though; a few articles are in draft form. March will be a wash also – it’ll be at least April, likely May, before anything gets published.

 

---

 

2026 Goals February 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.

 

February 26th – that is when I finally took the NASCLA exam. AND…….

 

I PASSED.

 

That was a difficult test, but I’m glad it’s over. Coupled with this exam is the law exam that each state requires. To that end, I will research the VA law exam next.

 

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 will begin working on this now that I’ve passed the NASCLA exam. I have several busy months ahead at work, but I’ll start researching.

 

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, and February was no different. March is going to be busy, BUT there is a possibility of doing something out in the field. We’ll see.

 

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. 

I still plan to begin this year, but an unexpected workload has crept up, keeping me from starting. Most specifically, I am looking at working 7/12’s for the better part of at least two months, and then some 6/10 work after that. (Explanation: 7/12’s means 7 days a week, 12 hours a day; 6/10’s is 6 days a week, 10 hours a day)

 

---

 

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!