My One Word for 2026
Joe Oravecz • January 1, 2026

A commitment to steady leadership, thoughtful presence,

and lasting impact

I chose ANCHOR with intention.


Not as a change in direction.
Not as a correction.
As a refinement.


The past year asked for harmony.
Harmony required integration.
Life, leadership, health, work, relationships.
All moving together rather than competing.


That work continues.
It is established.


2026 builds from there.


What ANCHOR means to me

ANCHOR is about placement.


Where I stand.
What I hold.
What I protect.
What I no longer chase.


An anchor does not stop movement.
It gives movement direction.


When you are anchored, you move with clarity.
You decide with confidence.
You lead without urgency.

That matters.


Leadership from a steady center

Over time, one lesson has remained consistent.


Leadership does not improve through speed.
It improves through judgment.


ANCHOR reflects how I lead today.
From experience.
From discernment.
From an understanding of both human cost and system impact.


I am less interested in doing more.
I am far more interested in doing what lasts.


That means fewer yeses.
Clearer boundaries.
Better placement of time, energy, and attention.


Relationships grounded in presence

ANCHOR also applies to relationships.


Not proximity.
Presence.


Not caretaking.
Reciprocity.


I am choosing to show up steady.
Available.
Honest.


No over-functioning.
No proving.


That shift changes the quality of connection.
It changes what is possible.


Health as a leadership responsibility

Health remains non-negotiable.


Mental clarity.
Physical rhythm.
Recovery as strategy.


ANCHOR reinforces a simple truth.
Strength without sustainability fails over time.


Leadership that ignores health erodes trust.
Leadership that protects capacity earns it.


I protect my energy because others rely on it.
That is not self-focus.
That is responsibility.


Why this word matters now

This word matters now.


Not because something is ending.
Because something is established.


I am not starting over.
I am placing myself with greater intention.


ANCHOR reflects confidence earned through experience.
It reflects restraint.
It reflects clarity.


Living the word

In 2026, ANCHOR guides simple decisions.


What deserves access.
What needs protection.
Where my presence creates durable impact.


Everything else moves from there.


That is the work.

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