268. How to Create Your Ideal Business Year (Without Burnout-y Goals)

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12d ago 28:06

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It’s that time of year again — when everyone online suddenly becomes a color-coded-notion-board-wielding planning expert. But before you map out your entire 2026 vision board, we need to do something way more important: figure out what you actually want.

In today’s episode, I’m walking you through the exact reflection + annual planning exercise I do every single year — the one that helps me make decisions based on how I want to feel, not what the latest marketing trend says I “should” be doing. This episode pairs with last week’s 2025 reflection episode, so if you haven’t listened to that one yet, go queue it up next.

PLUS — I’m trying something new today. I pulled a random question from the “More, Tell Me More” connection cards I won at a mastermind retreat (yes, I was voted Best Strategy at my table and the whole room — no biggie). I answered it… and I want you to answer it too. If you love this segment, email me or DM me and tell me to keep it!

And before you dive in, don’t forget: I created a free 2026 Annual Planning Guide that includes every question I ask in this episode and space for you to jot down your reflections and goals. Grab it in the show notes!

In this episode, you’ll hear…

The connection-card question I pulled — and the unforgettable story about the stranger who changed how I think about human connection
Why planning for 2026 means starting with how you want to feel (not arbitrary goals like “50K followers”)
How to imagine your ideal day next year so you can reverse-engineer what needs to change
Why so many entrepreneurs felt unstable in 2025 — and how to honor what actually happened before planning ahead
The questions I use every year to figure out what I truly need in my business and personal life
A guided reflection to set aligned, realistic, energizing goals for 2026

Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.

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