Nine questions worth sitting with before you plan your 2026 business goals

If you're anything like me, and the founders behind the businesses we work with, you'll have 47 ideas swirling around about what to do this year.

Before you jump into planning mode, here are a few prompts that might help you get clear on your 2026 business goals.

Tip: Don't rush these. Sit with them. Be as honest as you can. See what comes up.

---

On Your Business

What worked last year that you want to do MORE of?

Not what you think you should do. What actually moved the needle.

Was it quarterly campaigns? The one-on-one consultations? The product you almost didn't launch? The collaboration that felt risky?

Look at what generated revenue, brought in the right customers, or made your business easier to run. Do more of that before chasing something new and shiny.

What drained your energy without delivering results?

Consider this permission to stop doing it.

The marketing activity that feels like shouting into the void. The item that sells, but you resent. The offer nobody actually wants. The thing you keep doing because you started it in 2023 and feel like you should see it through.

If it's draining you or not working it needs outsourcing, delegating or stopping. Which one is it?

If you could only focus on ONE thing in Q1 (January-March) that would make the biggest difference to your business, what would it be?

One thing. Not three priorities that are all equally important. Not the five things that desperately need attention. One.

The thing that would create momentum. The thing that would generate revenue. The thing that would make everything else easier. What is it?

---

On You as a Founder

What kind of founder do you want to be in 2026?

Not what your business needs from you. Who do YOU want to be. How do you want to show up?

The founder who has space to think strategically? The one who doesn't check email on Sundays? The one who delegates properly? The one who makes decisions faster? The one who protects their energy?

You get to decide this. But you have to decide it.

What support do you actually need to make that happen?

A framework or strategy so you stop reinventing the wheel every time you face a decision? Accountability so you actually do the things you say you'll do? Someone to sense-check your thinking before you spiral? A coach to help you elevate your bsuiness performance?

Most founders know what they need. They just don't give themselves permission to get it, or deprioritise it.

What's one form of support that would genuinely change how you operate?

What are you tolerating right now that you know isn't sustainable?

The clients who don't respect your boundaries. The cash flow that's always tight. The work-life balance that doesn't exist. The decisions you're making alone that keep you up at night.

You know what it is. You've known for months. What happens if you tolerate it for another year?

---

On Growth

What does success actually look like for you this year?

Real version. Not the social media version.

Not the revenue goal that sounds impressive. Not the expansion that everyone expects. Not the thing you think you're supposed to want. Not the scaled back version, because you don't want to be unrealistic.

What would make you feel like 2026 was a good year? What would make you proud? What would make the work feel worth it?

What would need to change for you to hit that without burning out?

Because hitting the goal while destroying yourself in the process isn't success. It's just expensive.

What would need to shift in how you work, who you work with, or what you say yes to for success to feel sustainable?

Are you building something that serves your life, or are you just building something that looks good from the outside?

Because sometimes we realise we've spent a year building something impressive that we don't actually want. Something that looks successful but feels exhausting. Something that got applause but cost us our sanity.

If that you, it's ok, but it's time to ask, is your business serving your life? Or have you built a very impressive cage?

What Now?

Phew. Some of the answers to these questions can feel heavy, exposing, freeing. Take some time with them. Don't rush to answers.

Come back to them a few times. Notice what keeps coming up. Notice what makes you uncomfortable. Notice what you've been avoiding thinking about.

The answers will tell you what 2026 needs to be about.

And if you want help working through any of this - structure, accountability, someone to reality-check your thinking - that's exactly what Market & Me exists for. 2026 is yours for the taking!

If this resonated, every week I send thoughts on building businesses that actually serve your life, not just look good from the outside. Strategy that works. Support that keeps you honest. Sign up here