Another year is coming to a close, and I’m hearing the familiar phrase all around me:

“Where did the time go?!”

At the end of the year, it can be tempting to treat this moment like a scoreboard… reflecting on your 2025 goals and resolutions and then beating yourself up for any goals you missed or habits that fell by the wayside after the first few months of the year.

Whatever feelings or thoughts come up for you during this reflection, they’re all valid. Make space to celebrate your successes (even the ones that may not have been stated goals back in January 2025) and be gentle with yourself as you reflect on any goals you didn’t achieve.

Ask yourself:

Did you miss those goals because you failed to take action or prioritize the small steps required to achieve them? Or is it because that goal is no longer important or a priority for you?

If it’s the latter, you can move forward knowing you’re spending your time and energy on what matters most to you now. If it’s the former, it may be worth pausing to reflect on what prevented you from taking action and identifying small, manageable steps that can help you move forward as we head into 2026.

This isn’t a post about judging your progress. It’s about pausing long enough to notice where you are. And if you happen to stumble across this post mid-year, remember growth doesn’t require a calendar reset to begin. In fact, I once met a woman who set her annual goals on her birthday instead of making traditional New Year’s resolutions.

Business Ownership, Franchising, and the Quiet Questions

This year, I spent a lot of time talking with people about business ownership… especially franchising. What stood out to me wasn’t how many people took the leap, signed agreements, or launched something new.

It was how many people were thinking about doing something… and how many of them had been thinking about it for years before taking the first steps to explore what, if anything, business ownership could look like for them.

They’ve been thinking about freedom from their corporate roles. They’re thinking about building something for themselves instead of making other people rich. They’re thinking about starting a business before AI takes over a large portion of their job and their company reduces headcount. And they’re thinking about building a legacy for their family and generational wealth for their children.

Some people made big moves and started their businesses. Some gathered information to eliminate opportunities that weren’t a good fit but are continuing to learn and build plans that will prepare them to take action in the future. And some realized business ownership isn’t the right path for them.

It all counts.

Sometimes progress is worthy of a splashy, highly visible social media post. Other times, it looks like asking better questions and choosing to move slowly and deliberately, one step at a time moving deliberately toward your goals.

You Don’t Have to Start in January

There’s a strange pressure around New Year’s resolutions, as if January 1st is the only acceptable starting line for change.

You can set a goal in February or on any random Tuesday when something finally clicks. You can revisit an old goal and reshape it. You can walk away from a goal that no longer serves you.

You don’t need to let the calendar or social norms dictate when you’re ready. And when you are ready, the practices below can help you stay motivated and reduce the risk of letting months, or even years go by without making progress.

Write Down the Goal… Then Write Down the Why

One of the most powerful things you can do with a goal isn’t just writing it down but writing down why you want it. And don’t stop there… keep asking why to get to the root of what makes this goal meaningful and important to you.

A very common goal people set is to lose weight and get in better shape, so let’s use that as an example.

When asked why this is a goal, they might say it’s because their son or daughter is getting married next year and they want to be fit and healthy at the wedding.

When asked why that matters, they might say they feel self-conscious about their weight and want to look good in the photos.

When asked why that is important, they might say this is a once-in-a-lifetime moment for their child. These photos will be looked at for decades and shared with future generations.

When pressed further, they may pause for deeper reflection and realize they want to be remembered as a parent (and someday a grandparent) who was active, happy, and healthy, not someone who felt limited or disconnected from their family’s life.

At this point, the question shifts slightly from why to what.

What do they need in order to show up for their family and friends as someone who is active, happy, healthy, and connected?

The answer might be: a body that gives them the energy and stamina to reliably participate in activities, celebrations, and everyday life.

What started as a desire to look good in wedding photos becomes something much deeper. The goal is now connected to identity, values, and the legacy they want to leave behind.

That depth is the connection to what truly drives a goal. It’s what helps people sustain action on the days when motivation fades. And unfortunately, motivation always fades at some point.

This May Be an Unpopular Opinion, But It Doesn’t Matter If You Miss the Goal

Missing a goal does not mean you failed. What matters is that you took action, learned something, and made progress. Even if it was slower than expected or in a different direction than you originally planned.

In life, career, and health, momentum is built one step at a time. Some steps will be home runs. Others will come with a strike or two before you get a hit.

You shouldn’t feel ashamed to adjust, pause, or try again when you’re ready. 

As We Close 2025…

If there’s something you’ve been thinking about whether it’s business ownership, a lifestyle change, or a personal goal… you don’t need a perfect plan or a perfect moment.

You just need a reason that matters deeply to you. And then, one small action to start.

Not because it’s January and everyone else is doing it. But because you decided you’re ready to move, on your own timeline and in your own way.

Here’s to reflection without judgment, goals without pressure, and progress that begins at the right time.

And if business ownership has been on your mind and you’d like a low-pressure partner to guide you through your exploration and discovery process, feel free to Schedule Time to Chat with me anytime.