NEARLY a month into the new year and the financial strain left behind by Hurricane Melissa continues to shape how Jamaicans are approaching their money.

In an interview with the Jamaica Observer, career transition and financial coach Michelle Sinclair-Doyley said the outlook for 2026 will depend in part on how households interpret their circumstances. To illustrate this, she presented two perspectives based on a common scenario. In scenario A, she described a woman referred to as “Karen”, whose job was made redundant in April. She remained unemployed for several months and did not return to work until December, when she secured temporary employment on a Hurricane Melissa recovery project. With her husband still unemployed, the household continued to operate on a single income. In scenario B, Sinclair-Doyley reframed the same facts by noting that although the woman’s job ended, she did not leave empty-handed. She added that the woman later found new employment because of the recovery efforts that followed the storm. While the household has not returned to two incomes, Sinclair-Doyley said it is now in a stronger position than it was earlier in the year and is moving gradually toward improved financial stability.

“Which viewpoint gives Karen the greatest chance of thriving in 2026?” she asked.

Sinclair-Doyley noted that the second perspective offers a more constructive outlook for households working to stabilise their finances.

“Same circumstances. Different outcomes,” she said.

She then explained how psychological patterns shape financial behaviour, pointing out that the brain’s Reticular Activating System (RAS) filters information based on what individuals expect to see. A negative outlook makes people more likely to notice risks and setbacks, while a more optimistic perspective increases the likelihood of identifying opportunities and workable solutions.

“When you expect little, you unconsciously act small. When you expect growth, you begin to see doors others miss,” Sinclair-Doyley told the Business Observer.

She added that mixed or conflicting expectations can undermine financial planning. Individuals who set goals while simultaneously anticipating failure often hesitate to take the steps needed to achieve them.

“Scripture says, ‘A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways,’” she quoted.

This was one of the first actions Sinclair-Doyley outlined as a step toward improving goal achievement.

“Choose faith over fear before setting numbers,” she noted.

She also encouraged individuals to decide on their perspective before setting financial targets, noting that choosing confidence over fear can influence how those goals are approached. Her second recommendation was to set goals that require personal growth, encouraging people to consider who they must become in order to meet those targets. Her third recommendation was to review financial progress on a monthly basis rather than responding emotionally, pointing out that consistency is more effective than relying on motivation. Sinclair-Doyley added that two additional areas are important for households seeking to strengthen their financial planning: Dispelling common money myths and understanding how to calculate one’s financial freedom number, which refers to the amount of money needed to support long-term financial goals.

Sinclair-Doyley will be hosting a free financial masterclass, titled Financial Fix for 2026, where she plans to explore these concepts in greater depth. The session will cover practical strategies, faith-based perspectives and structured steps for households rebuilding after Hurricane Melissa, and is intended to provide additional guidance for Jamaicans seeking clarity and direction as they plan for the year ahead.

SINCLAIR-DOYLEY … when you expect little, you unconsciously act small. When you expect growth, you begin to see doors others miss.