Happy Friday, all — and happy start of 2026! I hope your holiday season gave you space to rest, reflect, and reconnect with what matters most. As we step into a new year, I want to invite you to begin intentionally — not rushed, not overwhelmed, but with clarity, calm, and purpose.

Whether 2025 was your best year yet, a tough transition, or somewhere in between, the energy you bring into January will carry forward for months to come. So let’s start strong — not by doing more, but by doing what matters most.

Here are three practical ways to set the tone for a year that supports both your business growth and your well-being:

✨ 1. Clarify Your Priorities (Before Your To‑Do List)

Too often, we jump into action before knowing why we’re doing it. Instead, take 10–15 minutes to answer:

• What are the top 3 outcomes I want by year’s end?
• Which one thing would make the most significant difference if completed by March?
• What non-negotiable personal needs (rest, connection, health, creativity) do I want honored this year?

This list doesn’t need to be long—it’s about focus that protects your energy and aligns with your values.

✨ 2. Declutter (Mentally & Logistically)

Before diving into new goals, close out what’s still lingering from last year. That might mean:

• Clearing your inbox and workspace
• Letting go of outdated offers, habits, or expectations
• Tidying up your books and financial systems (see below 👇)

A clean slate isn’t just aesthetic — it frees up mental space for growth and creativity.

✨ 3. Build Your Rhythm Before You Build Your Goals

Goals without rhythm are hard to keep. Create a simple weekly framework now that you can follow throughout the year:

• Block your focus hours (the times you do your most important work)
• Schedule your rest blocks too — because creativity and resilience are fueled by renewal
• Pick one habit that supports both business and personal growth (e.g., 20-minute planning on Mondays)

The first few weeks of January are the best investment you’ll make all year — use them to design your year before it designs you.

🤔 Questions of the Week

1. What is one thing you need to release from 2025 to step into 2026 with clarity?
2. Which priority — business or personal — will you protect first this year, and how?
3. What does rest mean to you, and how will you make space for it in your calendar this month?

🔧 Tool of the Week

Podcast: “Close the Books, Open the New Year” (Episode 106)
In this solo episode of the Mission Driven Business Podcast, I break down one of the most overlooked but essential parts of running a mission-driven business: year-end bookkeeping.

🎯 You’ll learn a simple, 3-step framework for cleaning up your books and setting yourself up for financial clarity this year:

1. Clean up the basics — Separate business from personal expenses, reconcile accounts, organize receipts, simplify your chart of accounts, and fix payroll errors.
2. Review your reports — Analyze your Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet, and Reconciliation reports for accuracy and red flags.
3. Prep for tax season and beyond — Confirm expense categories, talk with your tax pro, and schedule your monthly financial check-ins.

🎧 Listen here →

Even if you only complete one step this week, that’s progress. Your future self — and your accountant — will thank you.

Have a lovely weekend!

Brian