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January 2026: Focus First - Leading with Clarity in 2026
January sets the tone for the year ahead.
In this edition, SHIFFT focuses on one essential leadership capability for 2026: clarity – in strategy, priorities and decision-making.
As organisations face increasing complexity, rapid technological change and endless competing demands, success will not come from doing more. It will come from choosing better – what to focus on, what to say “no” to and how to apply new tools (like AI) with intent rather than distraction.
This month’s featured blogs help leaders cut through noise and set a strong, sustainable foundation for the year ahead.
Cheers,
Russ
Blogs & Insights
Strategy and Planning for 2026: Why Clarity, Cadence and the Power of “No” matter more than ever
January 2026 feels different. After the pressure and complexity of 2025, many business owners are not chasing aggressive growth plans or bold transformation agendas. They are looking for something more valuable.
AI and Marketing in 2026: How to Use It Without Losing Focus, Brand or Results
AI changed marketing in 2025 but not in the way many expected. It did not replace marketers. It did not make strategy optional. It did not automatically improve results. What it did do was expose a gap. As we head into 2026, the role of AI in marketing is becoming clearer. The opportunity is real but only for those who use it deliberately.
Featured Resources
AI for Business: Build a Better 2026 Plan with AI
Explore 13 powerful prompts to sharpen strategy and execution for 2026 using AI. Clarify your goals, align your team and move into the new year with focus and momentum with the full replay, prompt pack, templates and bonus resources on the webinar resources page.
AI Prompt Pack: Business Strategy and Planning
The Mega Prompt: Business Strategy and Planning Handout
Upcoming Events
We’ve got some exciting opportunities ahead to connect, learn, and grow together. See below for our upcoming events — each designed to help you strengthen strategy, build capability, and boost team performance.
Focused Execution Learning Sprint – February 2026
Get clear, focused, and back in control. The Focused Execution Learning Sprint is a 12-module online program designed to help you close the gap between knowing and doing. Over 6 weeks, you’ll master the principles of Focus, Discipline, and Control using the Focused Execution system and 90 Day Productivity Journal. Join us this February to make your next 90 days your most productive ever.
Focused Execution Mastermind Group – Launching Feb/Mar 2026
Ready to take your personal productivity to the next level? The Focused Execution Mastermind Group gives you structure, accountability, and support to embed these habits long-term. You’ll get monthly 2-hour webinars, fortnightly 1-on-1 coaching calls, quarterly online planning sessions, full access to the Learning Sprint and our online Resource Centre with 150+ business tools and 25+ training courses — all through a dedicated coaching platform.
Books & Journals
Annual Operating Planning Journal
“Focused Execution: Annual Operating Plan: Planning for the next year and beyond” by Russell Cummings. Turn your strategy into action with the powerful AOP process. Our AOP Journal dovetails neatly with out 90 Day Planning Journal to help you move from Annual to 90 Day to daily plans. The book includes links to videos and templates to enhance your planning experience.
Available on amazon in A5 softcover format – Click here
Focused Execution: How to stop wasting time and focus on what really matters
This book summarises the key elements for improving your personal productivity. Russ utilized the tools, concepts and principles outlined in the book to lift his personal productivity by 4X. He went from working 70+ hours/week to 35 hours over each week on double the revenue.
Focused Execution gives business owners and managers a proven system to take back control of their time and achieve results without burnout.
Available now in print and e-book version on amazon – Click here
90 Day Productivity Planner
If “Focused Execution” – the book – is the “WHY”, then our Productivity and Planning Journals are the “HOW”! Stay disciplined as you cascade your 90 Day Plans to monthly, weekly and daily priorities integrating strategies, tactics and operational priorities. Built on the powerful tools and concepts highlighted: The Focused Execution Book, this journal is ultimate daily planner that includes links to free videos and templates to enhance your planning experience.
Available on amazon in A5 dated paperbased format – Click here
AI Prompt Libraries
The biggest challenges our clients have with AI is what to ask it. To help Russ, created a series of AI prompt libraries that include a range of prompts to help you navigate through a variety of scenarios. Accelerate your results with our growing collection of AI Prompt Libraries – real words tested prompts for ChatGPT, Co-pilot and other AI Tools to streamline work, increase productivity and spark new ideas. Each book contains approximately 700 prompts tailored to your specific industry, role or situation. Simply “cut and paste”, tailor for your situation to get amazing result.
Available in e-book and softcover - Click Here
Ready to lift your performance?
Let's start 2026 with a rush — now it’s time to take things up a gear. Russ works with leaders like you who want to lift performance, strengthen teams and create lasting results.
Book a free 15-minute call with Russell and let’s talk about how we can help you get there.
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