Goals for 2026- Much of winning lives in beginning

"My mother said to me " if you are a soldier, you will be a general.

If you are a monk you will become the Pope.

Instead I became a painter and became Picasso."

Pablo Picasso

Ooh this quote got me this week and reminded me of Maya Angelou, who's books, ethos and wisdom have long been a source of inspiration to me.

"Pursue the things you love doing and then do them so well that people can't take their eyes off you."

Maya Angelou

So with one of her quotes in mind "the best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up." I have really started this year with so much dedication to being the best I can be and dedicating time in a morning when I'm at my best, early, in the peace of the house to become better, to move, think/write and learn. A simple 20/20/20 formula of the 5am Club with Robin Sharma (Although I'm certainly taking more than 20 minutes in each area at the mo) and 15 days in and I know it working for me.

I was going to write something like "I don't know why I feel so alive, so on it, so focused, so driven", then I though A-HA, yes I do know, it's a direct result of what I'm doing.

I'm getting up, I'm moving, improving my mobility and flexibility through a focused programme and doing it diligently. I'm thinking, rewriting my story, switching victim vocab for leadership vocab, as the words change of my inner dialogue I am starting to behave in the way I want to become and I'm then more alert and open to learn so I do.

"Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better"- Maya Angelou.

I've always done my best but now I'm on a mission to know better and do even better.

Another Goal of mine this year is to be heard so I can help more people in a positive way through my work and with regards to their health and well being, through their food and lifestyle choices.

I want everyone to have more life in their years, feel happier, be healthier and have more energy. A sparkle, a zest for everything they want to do in life and achieve.

I can't do that if I can't reach people and I need to get better at that big style.

I need to start and do and allow myself the chance to be a beginner and time to practise and improve, rather than being too beaten down, embarrassed and scared to even get in the ring properly, yes atm I might be technologically dumb and behind but I wont be for long with my work ethic, self discipline and undefeatable devotion to practising to become better, I will get there and also I am not to proud to say I need help and accept it, that'll be a winning edge for me too I'm sure.

I need to stop being fearful to try, stop being put off with feelings of inadequacy and lack, that's the victim talking,a moany bones and I'm not that person but being stuck in this area is feeding that mentality and I don't like it, so I'm making the conscious choice to change it.

Get ready 2026!

I have so much knowledge to give in my field, I dedicate my life to learning everything I can about my craft and I want to help empower as many people as I possibly can to understand the power of good food and nutrition to help them thrive.

"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you."

Maya Angelou

And that's mine, time to tell my story and I'm grateful to do it with you by my side.

Big Love

Michelle x

michelle@thecleancook.co.uk

So what better way to start than a great weekend watch and listen recommendation

If you missed it Dr Chattergee was on Channel 4 with a fantastic one off programme explaining a better way forward without the side effects of the commonly prescribed drugs through lifestyle choices for these three big illnesses- Diabetes, Depression and Chronic Pain.

Live Well with the Drug Free Doctor | Dr Rangan Chatterjee

And sticking specifically on the food and nutrition theme, Zoe, Science and Nutrition produced this podcast to help identify 8 simple ways you can eat better in 2026 and the scientific reasons why they will have a huge impact.

8 Ways to Eat Better in 2026 With Tim Spector and Sarah Berry 

Enjoy and as always ours is a two way relationship, so if you have recommendations please share them with me and don't hold back especially if you have ideas to help me with my goals to become better at reaching more people in 2026 and to resonate and be heard too, so I can help in as many ways as I can.