Start With an Intentional Strategy

01/08/2026

The start of a new business year always feels a little disorienting. You are still closing out last year, celebrating what worked, processing what didn’t, and yet you are already being pulled into what’s next. It can feel like standing between two worlds - one foot in reflection, one foot in expectation - while everyone around you seems to be sprinting ahead with “big plans” and “bold goals.” These heavy expectations are exactly why I choose to slow the rush and start with an intentional strategy.

There is so much pressure to start strong, have every detail dialed in, and make this “the best year yet.” The business world is loud with kickoffs, launches, and ambitious roadmaps, and that noise can be energizing—but also overwhelming. If you feel like you “should” be moving faster while you are still catching your breath, nothing is wrong with you. A fast start is not the only way to build a strong year.

This year, instead of pushing for a 100‑miles‑an‑hour kickoff, consider a centered, intentional, and steady start. That does not mean being passive. It means being intentional about how you use your time, energy, and attention so that what you do actually supports the year you want to create.

Don’t rush clarity

You do not need every answer in week one. Real clarity comes from reflection and space to think, not from forcing decisions on an artificial January deadline. Revisit last year’s key moments, notice what energized or drained you, and allow some decisions to remain “in draft” while you gather more information.

Prioritize what matters

When everything feels urgent, nothing truly is. Instead of trying to act on every idea at once, identify the few outcomes that will really move your business forward in the next 90 days. Build in monthly check-ins to discuss what's working, where you are getting stuck, and where to pivot. Focus on the partnerships and work that feel most essential, and give yourself permission to move, delegate, or delay what can wait. This is about progress, not perfection.

Ease in and build momentum

January is not a race. Sustainable momentum outlasts a fast, frantic start. Set a realistic pace that matches your current capacity, create simple routines that protect your focus, and give yourself time to warm up—reconnect with your network, revisit your strategy, and re‑engage your team at a human pace.

This in‑between season, between reflection and movement, might be the most valuable time of all. You are allowed to find your rhythm, refine your plans, and build a year that fits you and your business, not just the pressure of the moment.

How are you easing into a new year - sprint, warm up, or intentionally find your rhythm?