What if 2026 doesn’t need more pressure... just more energy?

This is the final episode of 2025 on The SMARTA Podcast, and it’s not about resolutions you’ll abandon by February. It’s about learning how to enter 2026 with clarity, confidence, and sustainable energy, without burning out or betraying yourself.

In today’s conversation, I’m joined by Michele Phillips, an expert in emotional intelligence, happiness, and energy management, to break down what actually creates momentum in your life. Not motivation. Not hustle. Alignment.

We talk about why happiness comes before success, how emotions are simply energy asking for direction, and how small, repeatable habits, not massive goals, are what change your life year over year.

This episode is an invitation to slow down, reset, and choose a different way of moving forward.

What you’ll learn:

• How to enter 2026 with more energy (not exhaustion)

• Why happiness is a habit, not a destination

• How to stop letting emotions run your life, and start guiding them

• Why small habits beat big resolutions every time

• How to build confidence by keeping promises to yourself

• The difference between running on adrenaline vs alignment

Michele Phillips is a speaker, corporate trainer, and bestselling author of Happiness Is a Habit and Energize Your Happiness. Her work focuses on emotional intelligence, energy management, and helping people live with greater clarity, confidence, and joy.

In this episode:

00:00 – Welcome & why this episode matters for 2026

02:34 – You have more power than you think

04:20 – Happiness as a habit (not a reward)

06:10 – Journaling, clarity & celebrating small wins

09:18 – Navigating emotional lows without spiraling

12:30 – Naming emotions: “name it to tame it”

15:30 – Energy vs time as the real performance driver

18:05 – Why dopamine shortcuts don’t work

20:35 – Alignment vs adrenaline

23:40 – Rejection as redirection

27:14 – Why New Year’s resolutions fail

30:10 – The power of starting so small you can’t fail

34:49 – Consistency, patience & long-term confidence

37:00 – Morning rituals & grounded leadership

39:00 – Energize Your Happiness (book pitch)

42:20 – Advice Michele wishes she knew at 17

46:40 – How to live a more energized, happy life

47:50 – Final reflections & closing the year

If you learned something new from this episode, do me a huge favor: double-check that you’re subscribed, follow the show, and rate this episode 5 stars. It’s the single best way to help us bring you more amazing guests and tools to help you live your best life ever. Now, go out there and make this your best year yet!

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