268. How to Create Your Ideal Business Year (Without Burnout-y Goals)

It’s that time of year again — when everyone online suddenly becomes a color-coded-notion-board-wielding planning expert. But before you map out your entire 2026 vision board, we need to do something way more important: figure out what you actually want.

In today’s episode, I’m walking you through the exact reflection + annual planning exercise I do every single year — the one that helps me make decisions based on how I want to feel, not what the latest marketing trend says I “should” be doing. This episode pairs with last week’s 2025 reflection episode, so if you haven’t listened to that one yet, go queue it up next.

PLUS — I’m trying something new today. I pulled a random question from the “More, Tell Me More” connection cards I won at a mastermind retreat (yes, I was voted Best Strategy at my table and the whole room — no biggie). I answered it… and I want you to answer it too. If you love this segment, email me or DM me and tell me to keep it!

And before you dive in, don’t forget: I created a free 2026 Annual Planning Guide that includes every question I ask in this episode and space for you to jot down your reflections and goals. Grab it in the show notes!

In this episode, you’ll hear…

• The connection-card question I pulled — and the unforgettable story about the stranger who changed how I think about human connection
• Why planning for 2026 means starting with how you want to feel (not arbitrary goals like “50K followers”)
• How to imagine your ideal day next year so you can reverse-engineer what needs to change
• Why so many entrepreneurs felt unstable in 2025 — and how to honor what actually happened before planning ahead
• The questions I use every year to figure out what I truly need in my business and personal life
• A guided reflection to set aligned, realistic, energizing goals for 2026

Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.

RESOURCES:

• Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s Sidebar
• Get Sam's book "When I Start My Business, I'll Be Happy"
• Listen to the How to Grow Your Email List Series Playlist
• Subscribe to Sam's Substack Beyond Business
• Download Sam's Annual Planning Guide
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• Click here to watch the free workshop so you can get legally protected right now!

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