Q. Everyone’s saying 2026 is going to be massive, and I’m up for it – I ran 2025 on pure “sleep when I’m dead” energy. But I’m starting to wonder if that pace is actually sustainable. How do I get my head right, so I’m sharp enough to ride the boom without burning out halfway through?
The start of a new year always brings that same promise: this year will be different. We’ll be more organised, more consistent, more balanced… until the first wave of emails hits, and we’re right back in reactive mode. If 2026 really is shaping up to be a boom year for brokers, the smartest thing you can do right now isn’t to work harder – it’s to build mental bandwidth. High performance doesn’t come from endless hustle – it comes from clarity, rhythm, and recovery.
Start by getting clear on what matters most. What are the three things that, if done consistently, would make this your best year yet? Then protect time for those before you fill the rest of your week. Being busy isn’t a badge – it’s often a poor boundary problem in disguise.
Schedule recovery like you schedule clients. Whether that’s gym, golf, quiet mornings, or 10 minutes of stillness before the day kicks off… recovery is what lets you sustain momentum when the market heats up.
And finally: the best players in every field have coaches. They don’t wait until they’re running on empty to get support. So, if it’s going to be a monster year, it’s time to get someone in your corner (wink wink). I’ve got space for a small handful of brokers who are actually ready to level up, do the real work, and make 2026 the year you stop running on fumes and start running on purpose.
If you have a question that you’d like answered by psychotherapist Bronwyn Penhaligon in the Your Health in Mind section of The Adviser, you can email your question in confidence to [email protected].
Or if you feel you need more support, you can visit penhaligons.com.au to schedule a one-on-one appointment.
