How to Make Sure Your 2026 Business Goals Don't Fail by February

It's January. Everyone's posting about their goals for 2026.

Revenue targets. Growth plans. "This is the year I finally..."

You've probably got a list too. Things you want to achieve. Changes you want to make. The stuff that's been sitting on your to-do list for months.

And you mean it. You're genuinely committed.

But here's what usually happens:

You start strong. First week of January, you're energised. Focused. This year feels different.

By mid-January, you're back in the weeds. Customer issues. Staff problems. The urgent stuff that always takes over.

By February, those goals? Still on the list. But you haven't actually made progress.

Most business goals don't fail because you're not capable. They fail because you're missing the structure that makes them actually happen.

Here's how to make 2026 different.

Setting business goals 2026 is the easy part - building the structure to achieve them is what matters

Why Business Goals Usually Don't Stick

Let's be honest about what typically happens with New Year business goals.

You set them alone

Sitting at your laptop. January energy. You write down what you want to achieve. Revenue targets. New offerings. Systems to build.

It feels productive. Like you're planning properly.

But there's no one to pressure-test your thinking. No one to ask "is that realistic?" or "what's actually stopping you?" or "have you thought this through?"

Just you and a list.

They're too vague

"Grow the business." "Get better at marketing." "Improve operations."

What does that actually mean? What does success look like? How will you know if you've done it?

Vague goals don't get done. You can't measure them. You can't break them down. You can't hold yourself accountable to something that isn't specific.

There's no structure to support them

You've got the goals. But how are you actually going to achieve them?

When are you working on this? Who's checking in? What happens when something urgent comes up (which it will)?

Without structure, goals are just wishes.

You're doing it alone

This is the big one.

No one's asking "how's that thing going?" No one's spotting when you're avoiding the hard decision. No one's there when you need a second opinion.

Just you, telling yourself "I'll get to it next month."

What Actually Makes Goals Happen

As a business strategist and coach, here's what I've learned:

The businesses that actually hit their goals don't just set them and hope. They build the structure that makes them inevitable.

Here's what that looks like:

Monthly check-ins that are non-negotiable

Same day every month. You review what's working, what's not, what needs to happen next.

Not "when you have time." Monthly. In your calendar. Protected.

This is what creates momentum. Monthly progress beats annual good intentions every time.

Accountability from people who get it

Not just accountability to yourself (you'll give yourself a pass when things get busy).

Accountability to other founders who are doing the same thing. Who'll ask "did you do what you said you'd do?" and actually want to know the answer.

Peer accountability is different. Because they're in it too.

Specific, measurable priorities

Not ten vague goals. One to three specific things that would actually move your business forward.

"Increase average transaction value by 15%" not "grow revenue."

"Launch new menu by March with three signature items" not "improve our offering."

"Hire operations manager by June" not "get help."

Specific. Measurable. You know when you've done it.

Regular time to work ON your business

Not just IN it. ON it.

Protected time every month where you step back from the day-to-day and actually work on the strategic stuff. The things that create growth.

This doesn't happen by accident. You have to create it.

People who can spot what you can't see

You're too close to your business to see all the blind spots. What's obvious to someone else isn't obvious to you.

Having other founders who can say "have you thought about..." or "I tried that, here's what happened" - that's what unlocks progress.

The Pattern That Actually Works

Here's what happens when founders build this structure:

January: They set specific priorities. Share them with their peer group. Get feedback on whether they're realistic and what they're missing.

February: They've made measurable progress. Because they had dedicated time to work on it. And people asking "how's it going?"

March: They're further ahead than they've been in years. Not because they worked harder. Because they had structure and accountability.

December: They actually achieved what they set out to do. Or they didn't, but they know why, they've adjusted, and they're not repeating the same patterns.

That's the difference structure makes.

How to Set Yourself Up for Success in 2026

If you want 2026 to actually be different, here's what to do:

Don't set goals alone

Get feedback. From other founders. From people who understand your business and your challenges.

Ask: "Is this realistic?" "What am I not seeing?" "What would actually make the biggest difference?"

Pick one to three priorities maximum

Not ten things. One thing that would unlock everything else. Or three at most.

Be specific. Make them measurable. Know what success looks like.

Build monthly structure

Same day every month. Work ON your business. Review what's working. Make decisions. Plan next steps.

Make it non-negotiable. Treat it like paying your bills.

Get proper accountability

From people who'll actually ask how it's going. Who care whether you do it. Who'll spot when you're avoiding the hard thing.

Peer accountability. Not just yourself.

Actually work on it

Not just think about it. Not just talk about it. Dedicate time to making progress.

Protected time. Every month. Where you work on the strategic stuff that creates growth.

Make 2026 the year you stop setting goals alone and start building the structure that makes them happen.

The founders hitting their goals aren't working harder. They've just built the accountability and support that makes progress inevitable.

You can do this too.

Need a little external help? Check out Founders Sessions.