Ready to Start 2026 with Fewer Unknowns?

We’ve reached that point in the year when the pace eases just enough to think clearly.

The inbox quiets down, meetings taper off and for a brief moment, there’s time to step back. Use this pause to put a few fundamentals in place before January brings a full calendar and fresh expectations.

1) Starting a new business in 2026? Get your idea into a single, concise paragraph. Write it the way you’d explain it if someone asked what you’re working on. What are you offering, who is it for and what problem does it solve? If the explanation keeps expanding, the idea may need some finessing.

2) Already running a business? Get some Q1 plans in place now. Decide what actually needs to happen by the end of March. Pick one clear outcome. That might be finalizing your business plan, launching a new service or testing out a new repeatable process.

3) Schedule and stick to one planning check-in. Block off an hour in early January to review progress and make adjustments. Treat it like any other business meeting.

Make these three moves now and you’ll head into January with a defined business idea, a specific Q1 priority and a progress check-in date reserved on your calendar.

If business funding is on your 2026 agenda, I dig into realistic options in Funding Your Business Without Losing Your Mind. And if you’re sorting out whether now is the right time, 3 Signs You’re Ready to Build Something of Your Own is a great starting point.

This is a snapshot of what I cover in Blueprints Beat Cocktail Napkins and Your First Business Blueprint. The books lay out the complete framework and are available to preview on Amazon.