Making 2026 Goals Punch Cards (Because Goals Should Be Fun!)

Every year I tell myself this is the year I’ll magically become a perfectly organized, motivated person. And every year… I’m still me. So for 2026, I decided to try something different: goals punch cards.

Yes—like the ones from cafés where you buy 10 drinks and get one free. But instead of coffee, the reward is ✨ personal growth ✨ (and maybe a little treat).

What Is a Goals Punch Card?

A goals punch card is exactly what it sounds like:

Each card has a small, repeatable goal
Every time you complete it, you punch, stamp, or check off a spot
When the card is full, you get a reward 🎉

It turns big goals into tiny, doable moments—and honestly, that’s my favorite part.

Why I’m Using Punch Cards for 2026

Traditional goal-setting can feel overwhelming. Punch cards:

Make progress visible
Turn habits into a game
Let you celebrate small wins instead of waiting all year
& Are ridiculously cute!!!

There’s something very motivating about physically punching a hole and thinking, wow, I actually did that.

The Punch Cards I’m Making

For 2026, I’m keeping my cards simple and realistic. Some examples:

📚 Read 10 books.
✍️ Meal prep on a weekly basis
🚶‍♀️ Walk 10,000 steps a day
🧠 Improve a skill - for me that’s Spanish
💧 Drink enough water for the day
& Go to the gym more often

Nothing huge. Nothing dramatic. Just things I can actually finish on a normal day.

Making It Cute! Supplies Needed:

Notecards
Markers, pencils, pens, whichever you prefer
A hole punch
Anything else your heart desires!

Are the decorations necessary? No.
Do they make me want to use the cards more? Absolutely!

Once I gathered my supplies, I wrote down my goals on the back side of each notecard, so I knew what I was doing on which card.

First I wrote the words, then drew the image that correlates, then added some color, and lastly the reward!

For the one above I did weekly meal prepping, so every time I prep a meal for a week I can punch a hole in one of the mitts.

Once I punch all of the mitts my reward is my favorite sushi - yay!

Here’s another example. First I wrote the words, then drew a fun picture to go with it, then added some color, and lastly the reward!

My reward looks a little different here - it’s not physical or material - but intellectual growth!

Picking Rewards

As you can see from my two examples above, rewards can be ANYTHING!

Rewards should be fun, not stressful.
Some ideas:

A new sticker or stationery item
A cozy movie night
You’re favorite food
Extra guilt-free scrolling time
Making a new punch card design

The reward doesn’t have to be expensive, or you don’t even have to pick one at all! I didn’t pick any for two of my cards just because I knew the reward was how I would physically feel better once they were completed!

I am by no means an artist at all! These cards can be as creative or as simple as you want them to be - that’s what’s great about them - they’re personalized to you.

I especially loved how these two cards turned out!

My Only Rule for 2026

No punishment for unfinished cards.
If a card doesn’t get filled, that’s okay. Progress still counts—even partial progress.

This year isn’t about being perfect. It’s about showing up, punching holes, and slowly building a life that feels good.

Here’s to 2026 being the year of small wins, cute systems, and goals that actually stick!

DIY New Years Goals - Punch Cards