2026: The Year of Controlled Chaos?

Today, it’s quiet.
Perhaps calm, even.
You may be sipping a coffee, answering emails, prepping year-end files—or just soaking in the rare December stillness.

But beneath the surface?

We know what’s coming.

2026 isn’t going to be quiet.
Not for long.

It’s already buzzing with the low hum of economic uncertainty, AI disruption, and client confusion.
Most of us are bracing for a year of noise—tightening rules, tightening wallets, tightening margins.
As for rates?
Who knows!

But here’s one truth: we control one thing—our daily action(s).

The world will do what it does.
The market will gyrate—or stagnate—doing whatever it does.
Lenders will change policies mid-stream.
Clients will ghost after five, heck, twenty-five deep conversations.
Headlines will tell us we’re doomed.
Bloggers will tell us we're doomed.
And yet…

You’re still here.
You’ve got tools.
You’ve got systems.
You’ve got a purpose.
And that’s more than enough—if you leverage them.

So don’t waste January on resolutions built on soft goals and wishful thinking.
Double down on what’s within your control.

And view every plan through the lends of abundance.

Because the volume of 5yr fixed clients, with equity, up from renewal - refinances and re-am's at renewal will be unprecedented. Add on top of this the volume of clients in 3yr fixed terms from 2023 also up for renewal.

I repeat: refinances, and re-am's, at renewal will be unprecedented.

It's going to be a perfect storm.
A storm of opportunity.

Here’s where I’m focused:

1. Belief with Teeth

It’s not so much ‘positive thinking’ as it is clarity of purpose.

Why am I here?
Who am I helping?
What’s my definition of success?

Answer these questions for yourself, and the days are simpler to plan.
The work is still hard, but the days are simpler—if not easy.

2. Determination Will Outlast Distraction

You know exactly the distractions in your life.
What are you doing to shut them off?

A clear plan makes focus easier to maintain.
Have I made my 10 calls today?
(It’s Saturday as I write this—and I want to make my calls today. I can’t wait for Monday morning)

50-minute deep work blocks.
10-minute breaks.
Is this how your calendar is structured?
If not - why not?

What’s written down is what happened.
What’s written down is what will happen.

Systems, not moods.
Structure over chaos.
You already know the drill.
Stick to it.

3. Action Aligned with Purpose

Are you busy—or are you building?
Did you do something real today?

Make calls?
Take apps?
Hit submit?

Did you do meaningful things today?
If not - why not?
Fix it before tomorrow.

4. Discipline

This is the whole game.
Whether it’s snowing, pouring rain, or sunny and 22 - discipline.

Discipline keeps you on the path.

A day at your desk may not look as sexy on the ‘gram as a day kicking back…
But discipline is the difference between dabbling and dominating.

2026 will test you.
But you’re not new here.
OK, maybe you are. But you’re not new to focus and hard work.

You’ve navigated market slumps.
Lender chaos.
Client curveballs.
Regulator whiplash.
You’re ready for another year of it.

You’re building something that lasts.
A career.
A legacy.
A reputation.

So start the year like the Broker you are.
Be committed.
Be focused.

Because the storm that 2026 will be isn’t the enemy.
Indecision is.

Clarify.
Commit.
Act.
Repeat.

DW

P.S. Clarity is useless without a daily rule.
Next week, I’ll share the one that mattered most in 2025!