As you think about the year ahead, here are 7 questions to help you set intentions that align with what actually matters to you—not just what you think a business owner "should" be doing:
1. What aspects of running my business energized me this year, and what drained me? The work that energizes you is often where you add the most value. The work that drains you might be work you need to delegate, systematize, or stop doing altogether.
2. Is my business serving me, or am I serving my business? Did you build your business to create a life you want, or has it taken over your life? If the answer makes you uncomfortable, that's useful information for 2026 planning.
3. What would need to change for me to work fewer hours without losing revenue? This question forces you to think about efficiency, delegation, pricing, and systems. You don't have to implement everything at once, but identifying what's possible helps you see where to focus.
4. What does success actually look like for me—beyond the revenue number? Revenue matters, but it's not the only measure of a healthy business. Do you want a greater impact in your community? A stronger team? More values-aligned clients? More time for creative work? Get clear on what you're building toward.
5. What's one thing I kept doing this year out of habit, not strategy? Every business has these—tasks, clients, services, or routines that made sense once but don't anymore. What can you let go of to make room for what matters now?
6. If I could only improve one aspect of my business operations this year, what would have the biggest impact? Maybe it's your financial systems, your client onboarding, your marketing, or your team structure. Pick one thing and do it well rather than spreading yourself thin trying to fix everything at once.
7. What support do I need that I've been trying to do without? Whether it's hiring help, getting a bookkeeper, working with a consultant, or joining a peer group—what would make running your business feel less isolating or overwhelming?
Take some time with these questions as you wrap up the year—and give yourself bonus points if you write your answers down! The clarity you gain will make your 2026 planning more grounded in what you actually want, not just what you think you should achieve.
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