Planning for Your Best Year Ever in 2027
The Pre-Planning Phase
–A Four-Part Series based on The Four Agreements–
Part Two
by
Bob Marshall
November 3rd, 2026
Agreement #2: Don’t Take Anything Personally
Nothing others do is because of you.
What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream.
When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering
— Don Miguel Ruiz, The Four Agreements
How Other People’s Opinions Can Get in the Way of Your Best Year Ever
As we continue preparing for 2027, it’s important to remember that pre-planning isn’t just about setting goals, making lists, or deciding what we want to accomplish. It’s also about taking an honest look at what’s been holding us back.
And sometimes, one of the biggest obstacles isn’t our circumstances, our resources, or even our abilities.
It’s what other people think.
Think about it. How many times have you changed your plans because someone criticized an idea? Held back from trying something new because you were worried about what others might say? Or allowed someone’s negative attitude to affect your entire day?
We’ve all been there.
Here’s a story that might sound familiar.
The Power of Not Taking It Personally
Imagine someone named John who has decided that 2027 is going to be his year to finally pursue something he’s been putting off for a long time.
He’s excited. He’s done some research, developed a plan, and shared his idea with a friend.
The friend’s response?
“Really? At your age? Don’t you think that’s a little unrealistic? I wouldn’t waste my time if I were you.”
Just like that, John’s excitement begins to fade. He starts questioning himself. Maybe the idea isn’t so good after all. Maybe he should just stick with what he’s doing.
For the next several days, those comments keep playing over and over in his head.
Then John remembers something important: The friend’s opinion is just that—his opinion. It comes from his own experiences, fears, beliefs, and expectations. It doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with John’s abilities or potential.
John realizes he has a choice. He can let someone else’s doubts become his limitations, or he can listen objectively, take any useful feedback, and continue deciding what is right for him.
He chooses to move forward.
The circumstances haven’t changed. His friend hasn’t changed. But John has changed the way he responds.
That’s the power of Agreement #2.
What This Means for Our 2027 Pre-Planning
As we begin thinking about the year ahead, this agreement gives us an important opportunity to clean up our mental and emotional workspace.
Consider these questions:
- Have I allowed someone’s criticism to discourage me from pursuing something important?
- Am I making decisions based on what I genuinely want, or what I think others expect of me?
- Am I carrying resentment from something someone said or did months—or even years—ago?
- Have I been measuring my success against someone else’s expectations?
- How much energy am I spending worrying about things I cannot control?
Here’s an important distinction: Not taking things personally doesn’t mean ignoring feedback, accepting disrespect, or allowing others to treat us poorly.
It means learning to separate constructive feedback from personal attacks, recognizing that everyone sees the world through their own experiences, and refusing to let someone else’s behavior define our self-worth.
We can listen without absorbing every opinion. We can disagree without becoming defensive. And we can establish boundaries without carrying anger or resentment.
Most importantly, we can stop giving other people control over our happiness and our direction.
A Challenge for the Week Ahead
As part of your preparation for 2027, try something different this week.
When someone says something that bothers you, pause before reacting.
Ask yourself:
- Is there anything useful I can learn from this?
- Is this really about me, or is it more about the other person’s perspective?
- Am I going to allow this moment to take away my peace or distract me from what I want to accomplish?
Then make a conscious decision to let go of what doesn’t serve you.
You don’t have to win every disagreement. You don’t have to defend every decision. And you certainly don’t need everyone’s approval to pursue a meaningful life.
The Bottom Line
As we work toward Planning for Our Best Year Ever in 2027, let’s remember that we cannot control what other people say, think, or do.
But we can control how much power we give their words and actions over our lives.
Pre-planning is about creating the space to move forward with greater clarity, confidence, and purpose. Sometimes that means adding new goals to our lives. Other times, it means letting go of old baggage, unnecessary expectations, and the opinions that have held us back.
Don’t let someone else’s story become the story you tell yourself.
Your 2027 is yours to create. Make it a year guided by your values, your priorities, and the possibilities you believe are worth pursuing.
Next Tuesday, November 10: Part Three — Agreement #3: Don’t Make Assumptions…Because sometimes the stories we tell ourselves are the very things standing between us and the life we want to create.