A New Year Requires a New You: Choosing Growth, Ownership, and Purpose in 2026
As I opened the new year with my audience on The Gloria Show, I felt deep gratitude and excitement because the conversation set the tone for everything that lies ahead. Personal growth takes center stage on this show for a reason. Ultra successful people never stop learning, reaching, and growing, and this episode deeply embodied that truth.
I was honored to welcome the legendary Les Brown as my very first guest of the year. From the moment he joined me, it was clear this was not just another conversation. It was a call to reflection, responsibility, and renewal.
A New Year Is Only Real When There Is a New You
One of the first questions I posed to Les was simple yet profound. We have been blessed to see a new year, but can it truly be a new year if there is no new you? His answer was immediate and direct. There has to be a new you.
That truth landed deeply. Growth does not happen automatically because the calendar changes. It happens when we decide to evolve, to think differently, and to show up differently in our lives. Les shared that his commitment for 2026 is to fully come alive in his true story. At this stage of his life, everything he does moving forward will be connected to that truth.
Listening to him reminded me how powerful it is to honor your story, own it, and let it guide your purpose.
Time Is Life, Not Money
As Les reflected on entering his eighty-first year, he shared something that stayed with me. We often talk about time management, but you cannot manage time. You can only manage yourself. Time is not money. Time is life.
That perspective reframed the way I thought about priorities. Every choice we make is a life investment. The question becomes whether our decisions are worthy of the time we are giving them.
The Foundation of a Growth Mindset
Much of our conversation centered on mindset, and specifically the importance of developing a growth mindset. Les spoke about how our early experiences shape us and how the voices we hear and the environments we grow up in influence our beliefs and behaviors.
He shared how my father, David, modeled entrepreneurship, resilience, and lifelong learning. That example became the foundation for my own commitment to growth and leadership. In today’s world of accelerated change and intense competition, having a growth mindset is no longer optional. Learning is a non-negotiable.
If you are not willing to learn, you are placing yourself in a dangerous position. The old model of working for decades and retiring comfortably is gone. This is the era of ownership, adaptability, and personal responsibility.
Ownership Changes Everything
Another powerful theme was ownership. It is easy to complain about circumstances, systems, or other people. It is much harder, and far more rewarding, to take responsibility for your life.
The people who succeed are those who own their choices, their behaviors, and their outcomes. There has never been a statue built for a critic. Progress belongs to those who say, “I’ve got this. I can do this. I am willing to grow.”
When you take ownership, you stop waiting for permission and start creating your own opportunities.
Relationships Shape Your Results
Relationships are assets or liabilities. There is no in between. Les shared research showing that we tend to earn and perform at the level of our closest circle. The people around you influence how you think, what you believe is possible, and how you show up.
One statement from our conversation stood out clearly. Do not be the go-to person for people you cannot go to. Healthy relationships are mutual, supportive, and growth-oriented.
It is essential to evaluate the people in your life and ask whether they help you grow mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Surround yourself with only quality people who challenge you and bring out your best.
Invest in Yourself Without Apology
One of the most sobering moments of the conversation came when Les talked about personal development spending. The average person spends very little each year on their own growth, yet invests heavily in entertainment and distractions.
If you want different results, you must be willing to invest in yourself. Growth requires intention, discipline, and consistent learning. Doing the same things in the same way while expecting different outcomes is not a strategy. It is stagnation.
Activate Your Faith Through Action
Faith was another cornerstone of this conversation. Faith without action leads nowhere. Believing is important, but movement is required. Take the first step, even if you do not yet see the full path.
We are taught to walk by faith, not by sight. You do not have to know how everything will unfold. You only need to commit to moving forward with purpose and courage.
Choose Your Future With Intention
As we wrapped up, we talked about choosing your future. That begins with reflection. Look honestly at what worked, what did not, and what no longer serves you. Just as businesses take inventory, we must do the same with our habits, behaviors, and relationships.
Discipline matters. Protect your mind, your energy, and your focus. In a world filled with constant distractions, clarity becomes a competitive advantage.
Moving Forward With The Gloria Factor
This conversation reminded me why I do this work. Growth mindset. Learning continuously. Owning your life. Investing in yourself. Building meaningful relationships. Activating your faith.
This is how we choose our future.
I am deeply grateful to Les Brown for joining me on the first episode of 2026 and for sharing wisdom that will continue to guide us forward. I hope that you took notes, reflected deeply, and felt empowered to step into this year with clarity and conviction.
Remember, ultra-successful people never stop learning, never stop growing, and never stop reaching for new heights. Until next time, stay inspired and keep moving toward your best self.
