A Letter From the President: Lean on Your Village So Others Can Lean on You in 2026

Published in Member Communities on January 07, 2026

By Lindy Tentinger, President, VGM & Associates

A new year brings a fresh start... and it also brings choices. How will you show up? How do you want the year to feel, not just for your work, but for your life and for those around you, regardless of your circumstances?

In our industry, there is no doubt the work you do matters. Every call, every delivery, every conversation can change someone’s day. Showing up for patients, customers, and teammates starts with showing up for yourself. Take time to be with loved ones without distraction. Give yourself permission to heal from the stress of the last several years. It means being brave enough to take risks and vulnerable enough to say, “I need help.”

Kindness. Listening. Caring. Integrity. Showing up as your absolute best. Checking off bucket list items instead of just going home and collapsing into routine. Making that doctor's appointment. Reading that book. Playing that game. Taking that walk. Speaking from the heart. Going outside. Taking a pause to understand what you need for yourself. And, unapologetically doing those things you need to be the best version of you. Reflect on what you are carrying that no longer needs to be carried into 2026. Put it down!

This is something my parents taught me: charity starts at home. Sometimes it is enough to be there for your family or loved ones, if that is what the season needs of you. I think sometimes people forget that. Instead, they feel like they constantly need to be doing everything perfectly. There are certainly seasons when those at home, or those closest to us, need us the most. And, sometimes, that takes everything you've got left outside of work. If you need someone to tell you that is okay, let me be the one. Take inventory of your life and those around you, and you will know what the season is asking of you.

One thing I know without a doubt is that 2026 will bring challenges, but it will also bring rewards and opportunities to lean on your village. Your coworkers. Your family. Your friends. And yes, your VGM community. You don’t have to carry it alone.

Say Goodbye to This in 2026

Silent Stress: Stop pretending everything is fine. It’s okay to ask for help. It’s okay to say it aloud. It is even okay to have a little pity party occasionally. Just don’t stay there.

Overloaded Calendars: Be extremely intentional with your time. Know your top priorities. Know what moves the needle in your work and your life. Make space to breathe. Watch the big rocks/little rocks video. (An oldie but a goodie)

Neglecting Yourself: Taking care of yourself is a BIG ROCK. Get your annual physical. Take PTO instead of working from home. Breathe in the fresh air and feel the sunshine on your face. Joy matters. You can’t pour from an empty cup... not even if you try (not that I know from experience or anything!)

Fear of Risk: Stop playing small. Take bold, courageous steps that align with your values. Be on a mission, and no one can stop you.

Fresh Start Ideas for January

At Work:

Share one thing you’re grateful for in your next team meeting.
Ask a teammate, “What’s one thing I can do to make your day easier?”
Genuinely care how a customer is doing and go the extra mile, even if no one notices.
Block time for a quick walk or mental reset.

At Home:

Plan a tech-free evening with family or friends.
Pick one bucket list item and commit to it this quarter.
Start a “presence habit”—five minutes each morning or evening to reflect before or after your day. I joined the 5 AM club in 2025 and it was life-changing.

But For Real

Life is messy. People are messy. You never know what someone is hiding behind a smile. It might even be you who is hiding. Do not forget you can lean on the experts at VGM who are here to help you. That’s part of being a VGM member. You have a true extension of every part of your business in us as your partner. Even if you need something personally, we are here for you; you can lean on us. You have someone on the other end who will listen. That’s what VGM was founded on, and the legacy we continue to build today.

Consider us part of your village. 2026, we are coming for you, and you are going to be great.

Lindy Tentinger
President, VGM & Associates

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