Start Small, Stay Close: A Smarter Way to Begin 2026
Welcome to the start of a new year.
For most people, January is filled with big promises—resolutions to eat better, sleep more, spend less, exercise daily, journal consistently, and generally become the best version of ourselves.
But according to behavioral research and fitness data, most people give up on their New Year’s resolutions around January 17. That’s now known as “Quitter’s Day.” Another wave of drop-off happens about 40 days into the year—when we realize that perfection is impossible and life didn’t magically become simpler on January 1.
So instead of joining the cycle of ambition followed by guilt, we’re offering something different.
A practice that’s small enough to keep going, meaningful enough to be worth doing, and flexible enough to fit real life.
It’s called Homework for Life, and it was created by storyteller Matthew Dicks.
Here’s how it works:
At the end of each day, ask yourself one question:
What was the most story-worthy moment from today?
Write it down. Just a sentence or two. You don’t need a journal or an app. You just need to notice.
You don’t have to do it perfectly. If you miss a day, that’s okay. The key is to not miss two in a row. As James Clear writes in Atomic Habits, it’s the consistency—not the intensity—that shapes our lives.
This habit does something important. It slows time down.
It helps you remember what matters.
And it builds what we call a family operating system—a foundation of values, stories, and small moments that accumulate into something real.
At Total Family, we help families build vision through the lens of purpose, values, and roles. Vision isn’t a project you complete once. It’s a practice—something you return to again and again as life evolves. Homework for Life is one way to keep that practice alive.
If you want to try it this month, here’s a simple 7-day plan:
Choose a place to write—your phone, a notebook, a sticky note on the fridge
Ask: What was one moment today I want to remember?
Write it down—short and simple
If it helps, set a reminder before bed
If you miss a day, pick up where you left off
Repeat for 7 days
At the end, look back—what do you notice?
You can do this on your own, or with your family. Ask your partner, teen, or grandparent:
“What’s one thing you noticed or want to remember about today?”
That small prompt has the power to surface laughter, insight, vulnerability, and connection—without needing to schedule a family meeting or open a new app.
This year, we’re not chasing reinvention.
We’re building awareness.
We’re not asking for more time.
We’re paying attention to the time we already have.
If that feels like the kind of energy you want in your home, your relationships, and your work this year—this might be the best place to begin.
Let us know how it goes. And if you want help defining your family’s shared Vision, we’re always here.
P.S. Want to turn this into a longer-term practice?
Total Family’s Total Legacy tools inside the Legacy Vault can help you define, document, and revisit the moments that matter—so your family stays connected, aligned, and intentional across generations.
