We find ourselves at the end of another year, it’s time to do a small business check-in. What’s working vs. what’s not? I feel like I have this discussion with myself every year. And truthfully, at the end of every busy season, I ask myself similar questions. Why am I still doing certain thing? Where have I seen improvements? And what am I proud of?
As someone who takes pride in being a small business owner and creative entrepreneur, it’s vital to reflect on the learnings of another year. Now I challenge you, take a moment as the year comes to a close and give yourself time to reflect. Feel free to use the prompts below, to spark some inspiration.
Questions to Ask Yourself:
- What are my favourite parts of this business? What do I enjoy doing most?
- What are my least favourite parts of running my business?
- Is there anything I can outsource to someone else, to free up my time?
- Where did I find the most success this year?
- Is my brand and messaging as clear as it can be?
- Am I locked into my schedule? Am I using my time productively?
- Where can I improve in my small business?
The questions above are just a few ideas to dive into your yearly round-up as a small business owner.
What’s Working?
I’ve personally done some reflection over the past month and have come to realize a few things. There are definitely some areas of my business I’m very proud of, places where I can see the hard work paying off! Here are the areas of my business that I feel have really moved the needle forward.
Consistency.
Stay consistent in whatever you are setting out to work towards. For example, keep your posting schedule consistent. The algorithm values consistent behaviour. It can be easier said than done, but truly showing up in your business on a daily or weekly basis, is much better than the all or nothing mentality. Think of it more like a marathon, rather than a sprint. And allow yourself to approach it in a sustainable way.
Letting go of over thinking.
Overthinking doesn’t do us any favours. Whether it be in life or in your business. Constantly overplaying a scenario in your head, isn’t moving the needle forward. Sometimes you just have to go for it! Maybe whatever you’re working on isn’t perfect, it isn’t exactly what you had in mind. But that’s ok, sometimes just letting go of perfection will help you finalize the tasks you’re working on. Growth comes from doing the work, not holding yourself back due to overthinking.
Align with your values.
What values do you want to live through your brand? Do you know your brand mission? Can you tell me your brand statement in a few sentences or less? Being aligned with your brand and knowing the direction you want to go, is so important!
Hiring Help.
Don’t be afraid to outsource help. Spending a bit of extra money to outsource tasks that frees you up to move the needle forward in your business in more important areas, is incredibly helpful. Time is SO valuable.
What’s Not Working?
It’s just as vital to understand what isn’t working in your business, to know which direction to take next. No business is ever going to be perfect, we all have room to improve. So think on it, where do you see yourself growing in 2026? I personally am struggling with the following…
Underpricing services.
I personally really struggle with underpricing services. Whether it be as a content creator or a small business shop owner. I want my services and products to be accessible. But at the end of the day, if you’re not supporting yourself, your business won’t be sustainable long term. So take a look at your pricing, is there enough wiggle room to be accessible but also support your growth?
Spreading yourself too thin.
I can’t stress this enough. Spreading yourself too thin is a huge pain point for many small business owners. It’s tough not to want to do it all! But if you can delegate tasks and really try to focus in on the most important parts of the business, this is when you’ll start to notice big changes. Focus, focus focus!
What are your goals going into the new year?
Tell us, what are you looking to set out to work on in 2026? Where do your goals lie? A new year is an exciting fresh slate to start fresh! (If you so choose). You don’t have to make huge changes, or re-invest yourself. But the opportunity is there to enter a new year in a way that best serves you. How do you want to show up for yourself?
As this year comes to a close, take time to reflect for yourself. It’s a fantastic exercise to give you some perspective on how the year went for you? And please share, what are you bringing in for the new year and what are you letting go of? And if you like this style of content and you’re looking for some inspiration for goal setting, check out more posts, here!
Wishing you all a soft end to the year and all the best vibes as we head into a new chapter. ✨
xo
Meg & Cornelia
