Why waiting for January 1st is too late, and how to take charge of your own future right now.
Over the last 30 years, I’ve had some great years and some years where I stumbled. When I look back at the really good ones—the years where my health, my family, and my practice thrived—I see one special thing in common.
It all started with dreaming in December.
Benjamin Franklin once said, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail!”
I love the Decembers where I take time to plan. I honestly can’t remember much about the Decembers where I didn’t.
Years ago, my wife and I used to go away to a cabin or a hotel to do our dreaming. These days, life is a bit busier. Now, my planning happens in small moments—an hour at a coffee shop here, a quiet Sunday morning there.
It doesn’t need to be fancy. It just needs to happen.
We are heading into 2026. The world is moving fast. If we want to live long, healthy lives, we can’t just drift. We have to steer the ship.
Here are the 5 steps that work for me, updated with the tools we use right here at 100+ Living.
1. Know Your “Why” (And Stop Waiting for a Hero)
There is a famous author named Simon Sinek who says, “Start with the Why.”
When you know why you are doing something, the hard work feels easier. My number one “why” is my wife and kids. I also do this for you—my patients and the 100+ Living community. I need to stay strong so I can help you stay strong.
But recently, I’ve been thinking about something else.
There is a harsh truth we all need to hear: Courage isn’t Amazon Prime.
It doesn’t get delivered to your doorstep with free shipping. No one is coming to save you. No doctor, no pill, and no magic wand can do the work for you.
You are the only person responsible for your health and your life.
That sounds scary, but it is actually good news. It means you have the power. When you set your “Why” this December, make it about taking your power back.
2. Write It Down (For Real)
There is a famous story about a Harvard study on goals. It said that people who wrote down their goals made ten times more money than those who didn’t.
Here is the funny part: That study never happened! It was a myth.
But, a real researcher named Dr. Gail Matthews from Dominican University did study this. And guess what? She found that when you write your goals down, you are way more likely to actually reach them.
When you write something down, you tell your brain, “This is important.”
Don’t just think about being healthy in 2026. Write down: “I will move my body every day. I will fix my posture. I will eat to fuel my life.”
3. Follow a Guide Who Knows the Way
You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. You just need a map.
For years, I followed different business coaches. But when it comes to your health and longevity, you need a specific kind of plan.
At 100+ Living, we don’t guess. We look at science. We look at the “Blue Zones”—those places in the world where people live past 100 with a smile on their face.
Your guide for 2026 isn’t just about making money or being productive. It is about building a body that lasts. It is about your spine, your nervous system, and your joy.
Find a mentor or a system that aligns with where you want to go. If you want to be running and playing with your grandkids when you are 90, follow someone who can teach you how to do that.
4. Use the Right Tools (The 100+ Living Planner)
You need a place to put your dreams.
In the past, I used generic notebooks or day-planners. They were okay, but they were missing something. They didn’t track the things that actually matter for a long life.
That is why we created the 100+ Living Planner.
It’s not just for appointments. It helps you track the 5 pillars of a long life:
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Attitude: What are you grateful for?
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Fitness: How did you move today?
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Neurology: Did you take care of your spine and brain?
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Nutrition: Did you fuel your body or just feed it?
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Relationships: Who did you connect with?
This planner keeps your “Why” right in front of you. It has space to doodle and dream. It helps you see your “wins” every week.
When you focus on your wins, your brain releases happy chemicals. This gives you the energy to keep going.
5. Be Okay with Building Alone (But Invite Others If You Can)
It is great to have an accountability partner. If your spouse or a friend wants to plan 2026 with you, that is amazing. Do it together!
But I want to share something important from the work of Dr. Joe Dispenza.
Sometimes, when you decide to change, the people around you might not understand. If you start eating better, prioritizing sleep, or doing your posture exercises, they might think you are acting strange.
That is okay.
The person you are becoming is your responsibility.
You have to be willing to do the work, even if no one else is watching. You have to be willing to be different.
If you have a partner, lead by example. Don’t nag them. Just show them how good it feels to be healthy. When they see you glowing with energy, they might just want to join in.
Let’s Make a Dent in the Universe
So, here is my challenge to you.
Do not wait for January 1st. Use this December to plot your course.
Take an hour this weekend. Go to a coffee shop. Take your 100+ Living Planner (or just a blank notebook).
Ask yourself: Who do I want to be by the end of 2026?
Don’t wait for permission. Don’t wait for courage to arrive in the mail.
Plan like you are going to live to 100. Plan like you are a world changer. Because you are.
Let’s make 2026 our best year ever.
Dr. Jenkins
What is your big goal for 2026? Let me know in the comments, or stop by the clinic to pick up your 100+ Living resources!
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