On paper, planning for a new year sounds simple: set goals, make a plan, stick to it. But most people don’t get stuck because they don’t know what to do. They get stuck because the version of themselves required to do it isn’t fully formed yet. That’s where most planning breaks down.

On this episode of Become Sensible, I walk you through the exact framework I use before I plan goals, strategies, or habits. We start with identity, then move through emotion, action, repetition, and only then outcomes. I share how this approach helped me sustain intense seasons of business growth, endurance training, and leadership — without relying on motivation or willpower.

“Your plans will never outgrow your identity.”

If you want change that actually sticks in 2026, this episode will help you build it from the inside out.

Connect

• Follow me, Fiona Nguyen, on LinkedIn. Learn more about Balannx.

Timestamps  

0:00 - Why traditional planning fails  

5:30 - Identity before goals: the missing step  

6:20 - The full framework: identity → emotion → action → repetition  

9:30 - Why intrinsic motivation lasts longer  

12:30 - Identity integration across business and life  

14:40 - Emotion, safety, and sustainable change  

18:20 - Action repetition vs. outcome obsession  

22:30 - Building systems before excellence  

26:50 - Money identity and decision-making  

32:00 - Why today matters more than 2026  

37:00 - Choosing your 2026 identity pillars

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