Before you plan next year, fix this year’s mistakes first
- Rebecca Berry
- Dec 8, 2025
- 2 min read
The end of the year is when most businesses rush into planning mode. New goals. New content ideas. New strategies.
But here’s the uncomfortable truth: Planning for next year won’t fix what didn’t work this year. Not unless you understand why it didn’t land in the first place.
If you want a stronger start in 2026, you have to be honest about what needs tightening, simplifying, or dropping completely.
Let’s break it down.
What actually worked - and why?
Most people skip this step and jump straight to “bigger goals.”
Don’t. Not yet.
Look at the content that genuinely performed:
– What topics sparked engagement?
– What posts led to enquiries or sales?
– What messaging felt the most “you”?
There are always clues.Your audience has been telling you what they care about - all year long.
What didn’t work (and isn’t worth carrying into next year)
A truth most people avoid:
Some things flopped because they should’ve flopped.
Maybe the format wasn’t right.
Maybe the message was confusing.
Maybe you tried to talk to everyone at once.
If something didn’t work after you gave it a fair shot, don’t drag it into 2025 out of habit.
You don’t need more - you need clarity
The end of the year tempts people to do more, add more, plan more.
But clarity beats more. Every time.
Before you set new goals, ask:
Who am I really trying to reach?
What do they need from me?
What’s the simplest way to help them realise I can solve their problem?
Because if you start January with clarity, consistency becomes easy.
Build a plan you’ll actually stick to next year
Your 2025 plan doesn’t need to be fancy. It needs to be repeatable.
A simple weekly rhythm beats a complicated calendar:
✔ 1 reel
✔ 1 carousel
✔ 1 value post or quote
✔ 1 blog article per month
It’s predictable, achievable, and powerful. Momentum comes from routines, not rushes.
Reset before you restart
Don’t sprint into the new year carrying this year’s confusion.
Pause. Reflect. Tidy up your message, simplify your strategy, and commit to consistency.
A clear reset now sets up a stronger start in January - and a better year overall.
