What you need to be doing in your Business at the end of the year
I know this time of year is already incredibly busy with family, client work, Christmas prep, and here I am adding more to your list…
But I promise you this: a small amount of end-of-year business planning now will make January feel lighter, clearer, and you will be so much more motivated to get back to business.
There are lots of ways to plan your business year, but my favourite is to treat the calendar year as a clean start and finish. January becomes the beginning, December the wrap-up.
As we approach the end of the year, I want to share the exact steps I take to finish the year strong and enter the new year with focus and energy.
1. Reflect on the year so far
Before you plan anything, you need to pause. Business reflection is the part most business owners skip — especially when you have a lot on juggling family commitments, school schedules and home life — but it’s where all the real insight comes to life.
Ask yourself:
What has gone well this year?
What has been challenging?
What have I loved?
What have I learned?
What has drained my energy?
Do this for both your business and your life. When you run your own business, the two are intertwined and your energy, time, and priorities affect everything.
This is how I like to do it - I put on my favourite playlist, grab my journal and my favourite hot drink (that’s a hot chocolate for me!), and give myself the proper space to reflect.
Your action step: Start your reflection today — grab your journal and spend 30 minutes answering these questions.
2. Get clear on what you want next year
Once you’ve looked back, it’s time to look forward. What do you actually want from next year — in your business and your personal life? What will success look like for you in 12 months’ time? Or even in 3-5 years time? It can be hard to think that far ahead when you run your own business, but getting clarity on your vision and purpose helps you overcome the challenges we inevitably encounter as a business owner.
Use these questions to guide your thinking:
What do I want to achieve next year?
How do I want to feel throughout the year?
What do I want to do less of?
What are my priorities?
To do this most effectively, I would say take yourself away from your usual workspace. Sit in a cosy coffee shop or creative co-working space and let your ideas flow.
Your action step: Plan a reflection outing — even 1 hour away from your desk can spark clarity. It could even be a walk in nature to really think through what you want out of life and business.
3. Build your strategy for the year ahead
This is where we turn reflection and ideas into a clear, focused business strategy.
I recommend setting three core business goals for the next year and creating targets and action steps around them. If you haven’t already, get hold of my Strategy Workbook to walk you through this process.
I also like to develop my full 12-month strategic plan at the end of every year, and then refresh it every 3–4 months. You can read my blog ‘Do It like they do it in corporate’ where I explain what we can learn from how corporates do their strategic planning
Plus, if you are confused about what strategy even is you can take a read of my blog - ‘What even is Strategy anyway?’
Remember, when you have written your strategy down, make sure you print it out and keep it visible on your desk. Your strategy only works if you can actually see it.
Your action step: Set your 3 core goals today and start breaking them into actionable steps.
4. Create your financial forecast
Your finances underpin your strategy, so this step is essential, although it is typically the most daunting to my clients.
A good financial forecast looks at:
Your past performance (especially the same period last year)
Your business goals for the year ahead
Your revenue targets and capacity (driven by your client/customer numbers)
Any new services, price changes, or launches
Your strategy and your numbers should align. If this feels overwhelming or you’re not sure where to start, please get in touch with me — this is something I help clients with regularly.
Your Action Step: Review last year’s revenue and set yourself a monthly revenue targets for next year.
5. Build Your Marketing Plan
I like to separate marketing strategy from the wider strategic plan because it’s such a big piece — and for most business owners, it’s the most overwhelming part.
Your marketing plan should clarify:
The purpose of your marketing
The rhythm - how often, which platforms, what consistency looks like
The content - your themes, pillars, and offers
I love building marketing plans with my clients as it helps them move from overwhelmed to confident and consistent. If you’d like support with this, you can book a strategy call with me here .
Your Action Step: Outline your marketing content for the next 3 months and block an hour out every 3 months to make sure you do this regularly.
Final Thoughts
End-of-year business planning doesn’t have to be heavy or complicated. A few intentional hours now will save you procrastination later. You deserve to enter January feeling clear, grounded, and ready to elevate your business with strategy.
If you’d like help with any of the above — strategy, forecasting, or marketing — I’d love to support you - just get in touch here.
If you’d like to be part of my world take a look at what’s events and offers are coming up:-
✨ Free Goal Setting Workshop — 30th December (Online).
Sign up here.
✨ Get On It with Jen - Business Strategy & Goalsetting Workshop — Wednesday 14th January 9.30am-12.30pm at Patch, Chelmsford, Essex.
Find out more and book tickets here.
✨ 1:1 Strategy Day on Zoom for your business to bring clarity, purpose and build your plan.
Find out more and book your session here.
