At the start of every year, I create opportunities to sit quietly and self-reflect. It is the time that I am brutally honest with myself about the good, the bad, and the downright ugly from the previous year. I journal about the successes and, of course, the roadblocks that stood in the way. I use it as an opportunity to address self-limiting beliefs, but careful enough not to get trapped in negative, self-critical narratives that are unproductive. I sit with myself to write down what I want to accomplish and build a strategy to execute in the year ahead.

This year the motto is “intentionally forward” because every step is meant to drive purpose, boost fulfillment, and catalyze legacy.

If you know me, you know that I am a God-loving chemist. I believe that faith and science coexist to provide direction, information, and tools to navigate life. It can be leveraged to aid in our personal development and evolution towards our highest self. During my educational journey and professional career, I have learned that I am good at pattern recognition. For example, in organic chemistry the patterns helped me push electrons and synthesize molecules. The patterns led to strategic modification of ligands to support faster reaction kinetics in catalysis. And even in batteries, it is much easier to predict failure mechanisms once you learn the patterns of Li-ion movement in a cell.

So I have decided to do something radical – leverage that skill to recognize patterns within and defeat the ones that no longer serve my higher self. Sometimes it is easy to fall into the same patterns because we fail to recognize them. Our emotional comfort outweighs the need and desire to propel the self forward into the fearful unknown. In 2025, I shared that “on the other side of fear is fulfillment“. In releasing some of those fears, I found an evolving purpose. Within that purpose is an opportunity to thrive and give back to the people and communities that have supported me along my journey.

Overarching goals for 2026!

In 2023, I started implementing a new strategy to drive personal growth while supporting timely productivity. I write letters to myself every 90 days (or quarterly). I write the letter to my 90-day future self as if I have already achieved the goals. The goals I write encompass the major aspects of my life I am continuing to improve and hone. These areas include: 1) physical health and well-being, 2) professional advancement, 3) personal relationships, 4) spiritual growth, and 5) personal fulfillment/hobbies. Read some of my goals below!

1) Physical Health & Well-Being

Investing in my physical health and well-being has allowed me to improve my mental fortitude and renew self-confidence. I agree with the saying, “Health is wealth.” Every year, I attempt to improve discipline with my food and sometimes I miss the mark. But, I do believe that small effective changes over time can lead to amazing results. Instead of criticizing my lack of discipline with food, this year I am building a different relationship with food. This year, my focus is about improving my nutrition and addressing gut health issues! It is not about dieting, but about understanding how food contributes to physical and mental health in a very systematic approach.

2) Professional Advancement

Vertical growth in your professional career is amazing! But, there are other professional skills that I would like to improve. Rebranding this site has been a labor of love; nevertheless, it is my way of creating an authentic space for me to share my experiences as a battery research scientist. I would love to see this platform grow and expand this year! I know that my personal fulfillment comes from service. I hope that I can develop something that advances legacy while continuing to advocate for diverse voices and perspectives, especially in science and education.

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3) Personal Relationships

It is an ongoing mission to conquer boundaries. We all have to learn and employ them at some point in life. Social media has its advantages; nevertheless, it can provide a false sense of reality and closeness to others. Everyone is not a supporter. Everyone is not going to like you or your choices. For me, this year is about cultivating symbiotic relationships with people. It is about eliminating distractions and finding my tribe of like-minded folks!

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4) Spiritual Growth

Praying takes practice – just like anything else you want to master. Having a relationship with God takes work – just like any other relationship. This year, I’m focusing on applying unwavering faith to abandon comfort and step into next-level purpose. It is okay to face challenges scared! It is also okay to be strategic in how you face those challenges. But FAITH is not optional for me. This year, I plan to read the Bible cover-to-cover, praying that God will meet me where I am on my spiritual journey.

5) Personal Fulfillment / Hobbies

Understanding how to fulfill your purpose with constant demands and expectations is not always trivial. I gain a lot of personal fulfillment from sharing my perspectives on this site. It has been a creative outlet and a space to shape my personal brand. I love strategizing and jotting down ideas. But, this year I want to bring my creative ideas to life! I guarantee it will not be easy, but it does not have to be. If my future self will thank me for what I have chosen to do today, it is a win!

So what goals are you setting in 2026? I would love to support you on your journey!

For me, 2026 is about leaning into a posture of unwavering faith to intentionally power forward and elevate. It is about recognizing personal patterns that no longer serve me and choosing new paths to traverse. It is about making mistakes. It is about building intentional community. It is about LIVING my best life!