Finish 2025 Strong & Start Ahead
Though I am slightly behind schedule this year, I have finally arrived to my intentional planning for the year end. It feels good to make it to this point.
My 2026 planner pages were printed out several weeks back and still sit stacked on my table in my office awaiting my intentional planning session. Every day as I walked by it, I would feel guilty for having printed them but then not doing much beyond that.
This week is a quiet week for me. My office is closed, and all my client work has been caught up for the most part aside from a few projects still in review. Now is the time when I get to slow down a bit and breathe more.
The first thing I always do is a reflection over the past year. This is coordinated by also running all of my year to date reports so I can see my numbers. When planning for your business, this is an important thing to do every year. Don't skip it.
The numbers I pull are:
- Total Retail Sales
- Total Wholesale Sales
- Total Consignment Sales
- Total Contract Sales
- Total Royalties (Books Sold)
- Total Expenses
- Annual Analytics from Socials
- Annual Analytics from Website
- Annual Analytics from Newsletter
- Annual Analytics from Dubsado
I have a series of planner pages where I fill in the data so I can compare the actual numbers with my goals set the year prior. This gives me a quick glance to see if I've hit my target or if I've missed the mark.
During this reflection, I not only look at my numbers, I look at the names. The relationships I built over the year with my clients by helping them with their projects is one of my favorite parts of what I do. If I've done my job well, chances are, their needs have been fulfilled and they are now out on their own. I like to check up on them by visiting their social media and interacting with their posts to let them know how amazing they are doing.
Most of my clientele comes from referrals from previous clients, or they come back themselves for new projects they have. Part of what I do is ensure I always have an open door policy for past customers to easily return, even if I'm booked.
During this year end reflection, I make note of those who may have mentioned a new project coming in the new year so I make sure to follow up with them in the timeline they specified.
This note starts off as a sticky note that gets stuck on the coordinating month with when the follow up needs to take place. Then as I begin to build my new planner, I'll make it more concrete by writing it on my to-do list for that specific month.
This pre-planning helps me not to miss anything important. It also ensures I am still providing exceptional customer service beyond their first project. In 2026, I have an idea for past customers for something new I want to do, and so that is on my January calendar to implement.
The first thing I do after my reflection is scan in my current year planner pages. In this example, it's the 2025 calendar. Because I know that I won't be adding anything more to it for the remainder of the year, I go ahead and scan in each of the pages to keep a digital copy of it to refer back to as needed and recycle the printed pages.
Next, I begin to punch my planner pages to fit inside my discbound planner. Once all the pages have been punched, I set them aside to then print the tabs on sticker paper and then add them to the corresponding month pages. After the tabs are added, I begin the process of assembling the planner.
Once assembled, I start filling out the goal sheets of my CEO Planner. This requires much thought, prayer, and strategy. Usually, I cannot do this all in one day and will work through it over the course of a week or more. However long it takes.
The key here is to remember that these are goals for things you wish to accomplish in the new year. Ask yourself the following questions before settling on your goals:
- Are they realistic?
- Are they attainable?
- Do I have everything I need to get started?
- Do these goals align with my mission, vision, and core values?
- Are these goals things I want or things God is guiding me towards?
- Are they necessary?
- How long will it take to achieve them?
Set boundaries with yourself when goal setting. What is your desired outcome as a whole, and how do these goals help you reach it? Be honest with yourself.
Sometimes for the sake of goal setting, we set goals that don't necessarily move us any closer to success, yet can actually slow our progress down. This can be frustrating and can lead to burnout. The constant spinning wheel and getting nowhere will catch up to you.
One thing I have found is that being an entrepreneur can be extremely lonely. You need to find a place where you can connect with others who are in business too. Whether they are authors, entrepreneurs, or have a side hustle, one can learn so much from others.
I have a free group available where you can do just that and be included in my free workshops.
Entrepreneurs - https://www.facebook.com/groups/ohsoshonda
Authors/Writers - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thewriterstablewithshonda
Faith & Lifestyle - https://www.facebook.com/groups/boldlywoven
Though things for me the last few years have been hectic, this coming year is looking different, more intentional, and easier. I'm not putting high expectations on myself but, at the same time, have been working on new solutions for each of you to implement into your businesses as a work at your own pace offering. I am looking forward to all the new things 2026 is bringing us both.
Happy year end planning!
With Grace, Shonda Ramsey