December has a way of sneaking up on us. One day you’re deep in the summer rush, and the next you’re wondering where the year went.
But before you dive headfirst into planning mode or writing ambitious goals for 2026, there’s something more valuable you can do: look back at what this year actually taught you about running your business.
Not in a “let me beat myself up about what didn’t work” way, but in a practical, curious way that helps you make smarter decisions moving forward.
The Questions Worth Asking
Grab a cup of coffee or tea, take out a blank piece of paper (yes, actual paper) and pen, and give yourself permission to think honestly about the following questions. You might need to look at your calendar for some details, but put your computer aside.
What made you money this year? Not what you thought would make you money, or what you hoped would work—what actually brought in revenue? Which products, services, or offers did people consistently say yes to? Look at your income across the last 12 months. When were the highs? When were the lows?
What drained your time without a return? We all have tasks that feel productive but don’t move the needle. What did you spend hours on that didn’t result in sales, stronger relationships, or meaningful progress?
Which clients or customers energized you? Think about the people who were a joy to work with. What did they have in common? How did they find you? What were they looking for when they hired you or bought from you? What are their pain points? What did you enjoy most about working with these people?
What patterns showed up in your “no” moments? When did you turn down opportunities, set boundaries, or decide something wasn’t worth pursuing? Those decisions reveal what matters to you and where your instincts were guiding you.
Where did you feel most confident, and where did you hesitate? Confidence often signals alignment with your strengths and hesitation can point to skills you need to build, help you need to hire, or areas that simply aren’t for you. Are there areas in which you could improve your knowledge or skills?
From Reflection to Action
Once you’ve answered these questions, you’ll likely notice themes. Maybe you’ll see that your best clients all came from referrals, or that you spent half your time on a service that barely broke even, or that you kept saying yes to things that left you exhausted.
Those themes are your roadmap for 2026.
Here’s what to do with what you’ve learned:
Double down on what worked. If a particular offer, marketing channel, or type of client brought in results (and you enjoyed it), make it central to your strategy next year. Don’t abandon it in search of something shinier.
Cut or redesign what didn’t. Be ruthless about eliminating or reworking the things that consumed your time without delivering value. You don’t need to do everything, you need to do what works.
Protect your energy. If certain clients or projects left you depleted, set clearer boundaries or adjust your offerings so you’re spending more time in your zone of genius and less time outside of it.
Invest in your weak spots—or outsource them. If you kept hesitating in the same areas, decide whether you need to build that skill or bring in someone who already has it. Offload the tasks that you truly do not enjoy.
Build systems around what you want to repeat. If something worked well but felt chaotic, create a process so it’s easier and more consistent next time.
Give Yourself Credit
Before you close out this reflection, write down at least three things you’re proud of from this year. Not the big, Instagram-worthy wins (though those count too), but the quieter victories. Was there a particular client that you helped? Was there a boundary that you set that was needed and good? Was there a week you stayed consistent even when it was hard?
Running a small business means you’re constantly learning, adjusting, and figuring it out as you go. That’s not a flaw in your approach; it’s the nature of the work.
The businesses that thrive aren’t the ones that get everything right the first time (or even the 5th). They’re the ones that pay attention, learn from what happened, and keep moving forward with a little more clarity each year.
So take the time to reflect. Your 2026 strategy will be stronger for it.