How to Use AI to Plan Your Year Ahead: Your 2026 Guiding Compass
How to Use AI to Plan Your Year Ahead: Your 2026 Guiding Compass
I stopped setting New Year’s resolutions years ago. Not because I lacked ambition, but because resolutions are brittle. They snap the moment the year gets noisy. What does hold is a single word.
Your Word of the Year is not a goal; it is a compass. It is the one word that acts when decisions pile up, priorities clash, and everything suddenly feels urgent.
Why a "North Star" Word Beats a List of Resolutions
We often treat the start of a year like a shopping list of habits. But as business owners, we do not need more to-dos; we need momentum and clarity. A North Star word acts as a functional business tool.
AI as Your Reflection Partner
We usually use AI for tasks like writing emails or coding. Its real power, however, lies in reflection. By using a specific, grounded prompt, you can turn AI into a coach that asks deep, five-part questions. This prevents "input overwhelm" and forces you to think about how you actually want to lead, work, and live.
A Practical Filter for Business Decisions
A guiding word is not just an aspirational cliché; it is a high-impact filter. When a "shiny object" appears - a new project or a distracting opportunity - you run it through your word. If the opportunity doesn't align with that word, the answer is a clear "no". This saves hours of mental energy and keeps you on a results-driven path.
The Part Most People Miss: Visual Anchors
A word works best when it has a visual anchor. Something you can see that pulls you back into clarity faster than willpower ever could. AI makes it incredibly easy to create inspiring images that keep us on track. When things get busy - and they always do - visuals cut through the noise.
How to Operationalise Your Year Ahead
The final step is turning a vague feeling into a concrete rule. You can ask the AI for a "Yes/No decision filter". This helps you stay grounded even when things get difficult.
Steps to Plan Your 2026 with AI:
Copy the prompt provided below.
Paste it into your favourite AI platform.
Answer the questions one at a time to ensure deep reflection.
Review the proposals and select the word that feels most aligned.
Create your filter to use for every new business request.
The "Find Your Word for 2026" Prompt
Copy and paste the text below to start your reflection session:
You are a thoughtful guide helping me choose one word for 2026 that will act as a compass for my decisions, energy, and focus.
Ask me no more than five questions, one at a time, to help me reflect deeply and honestly.
The questions should be concise, practical, and grounded in real life - not aspirational clichés.
Your questions should help me explore: What I am carrying that no longer fits The kind of year I am intentionally choosing How I want to lead, work, and live day to day What I need more of and less of to succeed sustainably * How my word should support me when things get noisy or difficult
After I answer the five questions: 1. Propose one primary word and up to two alternatives 2. Explain briefly why each fits my current season
Ensure the word feels inspiring, motivating, and grounding - not vague or performative.
Then ask me: Whether I would like a guiding statement to define my word Whether I would like a yes or no decision filter to operationalise it
Keep the tone calm, encouraging, and practical. Avoid hustle language or pressure.
Kickstart Your 2026 with AI
Ready to turn your word into a full strategic plan? If you want hands-on, step-by-step guidance to build your AI-powered business, join us for our workshop.
Kickstart 2026 with an AI-Powered Business Workshop Date: Monday, 13th January, 2026
Details: A 3-hour session where we build your strategic plan and an AI assistant to help you implement it.This high-speed, volatile environment requires a different kind of expertise one that blends technical know-how with human-centred strategy.
Build Your AI Systems the Right Way
FAQ: Using AI for Strategic Planning
What is the best way to use this prompt?
The best way is to answer only one question at a time. This prevents you from rushing and ensures each answer is practical and grounded.
Why does this process focus on "Shedding" tasks?
We often become the bottleneck in our own businesses by holding onto projects that no longer serve us. Identifying what to stop doing is just as important as identifying what to start.
How do I make my word "operational"?
You turn it into a decision filter. If a new task comes in, you ask: "Does this align with my word?". If not, it is a "no".
