Pop the tab on something cold and settle in — it's time for another round of Drinks After Work, 2026 Edition!
This time, we're talking all about:
- Why New Year's resolutions set us up for failure (and what to do instead)
- How SMART goals aren't actually that smart for personal growth
- The perfectionism trap that makes goal-setting feel like punishment
- Why reflection beats resolution every time
- Practical alternatives that actually work (hello, ALIGN goals)
In this episode, Shannon and Deborah kick off 2026 with some real talk about why we keep setting ourselves up for disappointment every January. From SMART goals that fight against themselves to New Year's resolutions built on where we've failed, they break down why the traditional approach leaves us feeling like crap by January 5th. But it's not all doom and gloom—they share practical frameworks that focus on progress, self-compassion, and chunking big dreams into doable steps.
So sip, swig, or chug — and get ready to:
- Ditch the guilt and perfectionism around goal-setting
- Learn the "Big Rock" chunking method for breaking down goals
- Discover ALIGN goals (Aspire, Live it, Integrate, Gauge, Nurture)
- Give yourself emotional grace instead of another reason to feel guilty
- Turn mandatory SMART goals into SMART ASS goals (yes, really)
Because it wouldn't be Drinks After Work without the drinks, here are the FAB picks:
Shannon: Grapefruit Fizz — Fresh grapefruit juice, rosemary sugar syrup, and club soda for that Dry January vibe.
Deborah: Resolution Refresher — Cranberry juice, lime, elderflower syrup, and sparkling water with frozen cranberries.
Resources:
Why SMART Goals Don't Work
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Hosts:
Shannon Tipton &
Deborah Harris
Podcast produced by:
Obsidian Productions
