How to turn reflection into results before the new year even begins

As the year winds down, it’s tempting to coast into the holidays and tell yourself you’ll “start fresh in January.” But here’s the truth: momentum doesn’t come from the calendar; it comes from clarity and action. Before 2026 arrives, take time now to plan, prioritize, and position yourself for success. These strategies will help you finish 2025 strong and enter the new year with focus and confidence.

Reflect Before You Reset

Before setting new goals, look back — not to dwell, but to learn.
Ask yourself:

• What worked well this year, and why?

• Where did I struggle or lose focus?

• What habits helped me move forward?

Reflection gives you data. It helps you identify what should be repeated, refined, or retired. Great goal-setters don’t just look ahead — they mine the past for lessons that sharpen their next move.

Choose One Word for 2026

A simple but powerful exercise: pick one word that defines the kind of year you want to create.
Words like “Growth,” “Consistency,” “Fearless,” or “Balance” act as anchors — guiding daily choices and keeping you aligned when life gets noisy. Tape your word where you’ll see it daily. Let it become the theme for your year.

Focus on Systems, Not Just Goals

Goals define where you’re going. Systems define how you’ll get there. Instead of saying, “I’ll sell $500,000 in new business,” ask, “What consistent actions will lead me there?”
Maybe it’s five prospecting calls a day, weekly pipeline reviews, or setting aside Friday mornings for client retention check-ins. Success follows structure. Build habits that naturally pull you toward your goals.

Set SMART — and Simple — Goals

SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) keep you accountable, but don’t overcomplicate the process. Break big objectives into small, meaningful milestones.

Example:
Big goal: Grow digital revenue by 25%.
Milestones: Launch one new campaign each quarter, meet with five new digital clients per month, review metrics weekly.

Progress happens in the small wins you stack consistently.

Make It Visible

If your goals live in a notebook, they’ll die in a drawer. Keep them visible — on your desk, screensaver, or team board. Visibility builds accountability and turns your goals into a daily reminder, not a forgotten list.

Tip: schedule a monthly “goal check-in” with yourself or your team. Celebrate what’s working and adjust what’s not.

Protect Your Priorities

One of the most powerful things you can do for your future goals is to learn the grace of saying no. Every “yes” takes time, energy, and focus away from something else. By guarding your time, you create space for what matters most — your goals, your growth, and your well-being.

Start Now — Don’t Wait for January

There’s nothing magical about January 1st. Starting your 2026 plan now gives you a head start. It helps you enter the new year with momentum instead of hesitation. Take one small action this week: write your word of the year, block a weekly planning time, or outline your top three priorities for Q1. Future success belongs to those who prepare before the rush begins.

Ready to Finish Strong?

If you’re ready to put these principles into practice, join our Finish Strong Challenge on the Ten-Minute Trainer Network.  These videos are short and motivating that will help you reflect on 2025 and set your goals for 2026.

🎯 Join the Challenge →

Let’s end the year with intention — and make 2026 your most focused, successful year yet.