Are the first two weeks of any new year about ‘getting started’?
What if the real start was charted by a conscious ending, that cleared roadblocks, and closed the chapter? And then front-loaded for what’s ahead?
Most leaders don’t consciously close their year. They abandon it to visioning for the next.
Conscious Leadership Group
Many successful entrepreneurs use structured reviews annually to mine insights and align with their purpose. And they start in December (some November).
There’s nothing stopping us from doing the same, and this post contains prompts in four key areas that are best covered before this year fades into next: Business Performance, Personal Growth, Energy & Relationships, and Forward Planning.
Business Performance evaluate operations, achievements, and challenges
- What went well this year? List your top accomplishments and why they succeeded.
- What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome (or not overcome) them? What lessons can you apply next year?
- What slowed your business down—inefficiencies, market shifts, or internal issues? What must change to move forward?
- What new skills did you learn, and how did they impact your business? What skills do you need to acquire in 2026?
- What was your greatest business win, and what project did you enjoy the most? Why?
Personal Growth mindset, habits, and self-awareness to avoid burnout and build resilience.
- What did you change your mind on this year? (E.g., strategies, beliefs, or assumptions about your business.)
- What did you learn about yourself? How has it shaped your approach to entrepreneurship?
- What did you not do? Deconstruct the upside and downside—how can you get closer to removing what’s holding you back?
- On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your work ethic and attitude this year? Where can you improve inputs you control?
- What boat anchors (people, mindsets, or habits) held you back? How will you eliminate or minimize them?
Energy & Relationships fuels or drains you
- What activities, people, or projects created the most energy and joy? How can you prioritize them more?
- What drained your energy? (E.g., clients, tasks, or relationships—who did you love working with, and who not?)
- Who lifted you up this year, and how did those relationships contribute to your success?
- What low points are you happy to leave behind? What highs can you build on?
- How did you maintain perspective on happiness (reality minus expectations)? What are you grateful for?
Forward Planning the bridge between reflection and action for a strong start to the new year.
- What are your top 3-5 goals for 2026? How will you track progress and measure success?
- If you’re honest, what one long-term goal scares you—and why is it worth pursuing?
- What must you finish or tie up in Q4 to create clarity for January? (E.g., one task today for a stronger start.)
- How will next year be different based on this year’s lessons? Write a brief plan for your business and life.
- What are you looking forward to in 2026—both professionally and personally—to ensure you’re having fun along the way?
January is crowded with people and ideas who waited until the new year to get started.
Try a front-load this year. Take 1-2 hours of December to reflect in these four key areas.
2026 will thank you for it.