Before you set a goal, listen to this. As we step into a new year and start thinking about who we want to become, it’s easy to get caught up in planning, dreaming, and creating big visions for our lives. But before we write the list, make the vision board, or announce our intentions to the world, we have to pause and look inward. In this episode, we talk about the heart behind goal-setting — the difference between desire and discipline, why ambition is a gift when it’s rooted in the right things, and how quickly our dreams can become idols if we’re not paying attention. We also talk about intention, identity, and the invitation God gives us to dream boldly with Him, not apart from Him. I dive into the neuroscience of motivation and why your brain loves the excitement of new goals but struggles with the follow-through. And through Scripture and personal reflection, we explore the truth that while we plan our way, it’s ultimately God who establishes the steps. If you’re entering 2026 feeling excited, overwhelmed, hopeful, or uncertain — this conversation will help you slow down, reset your focus, and build goals that honor God, challenge you, and align with who you’re becoming. May this episode be your reminder that your dreams matter, your discipline matters, your identity in Christ matters… and you don’t have to have the whole plan to take the next right step.