How To Set Goals For 2026 That You Will Actually Stick To
As a business owner, you probably start every year with good intentions. You want to grow, earn more, streamline your systems, or work fewer hours.
But most goals fail because they are built on pressure, guesswork, or vague ideas. If you want 2026 to be your most successful year yet, your goals need to be grounded in data and supported by a clear plan.
Here is the strategy that actually works and keeps you accountable all year long.
Step 1: Review 2025 Properly
Before you look forward, you need to look back.
A full review of your year helps you understand:
What worked well
What slowed you down
Where you made money
Where you lost time or profit
What activities had the biggest impact
Which clients or services performed best
Your numbers will give you the answers. This is the part most people skip, but it is the foundation of every goal you set for 2026.
Step 2: Choose 2 to 4 Big Outcomes for 2026
Goals only work when you keep them focused.
Pick two to four meaningful outcomes that will truly move your business forward. For example:
Increase profit by a certain amount
Reduce working hours
Build recurring revenue
Hire your first employee
Launch a new service
Improve cash flow
Strengthen internal systems
Too many goals lead to overwhelm. A handful of powerful ones create clarity.
Step 3: Make Each Goal Measurable
A goal that cannot be measured cannot be achieved.
Instead of saying “I want to grow my business,” try:
Increase revenue by 20 percent
Raise average customer spend
Bring in 10 new clients per quarter
Reduce unpaid invoices by half
When your goals have numbers attached, you know exactly what success looks like.
Step 4: Break Them Into Quarterly Milestones
Quarterly milestones make big goals feel achievable.
For each goal, break it down into four checkpoints. These should be realistic steps that help you stay on track throughout the year.
This approach stops you from leaving everything to November and then panicking.
Step 5: Identify the Projects That Will Drive Each Goal
Goals are the destination. Projects are the steps that get you there.
Ask yourself:
What specific actions will help me hit this milestone?
What tasks need to happen first?
What systems or processes need improving?
For example, if your goal is to increase revenue, your projects might include improving pricing, launching a new service, or updating your website.
Step 6: Decide What You Need To Stop Doing
This step is just as important as choosing what to start.
Every business carries habits, tasks, and clients that drain time and profit. If you want to grow, something has to give.
Think about:
Services that are underpriced
Clients who drain energy
Tasks that could be automated
Work you could delegate
Activities that do not move your business forward
Letting go creates space for growth.
Step 7: Track Your Progress Monthly
Checking your numbers each month keeps you accountable.
Look at:
Revenue
Profit
Cash flow
Outstanding invoices
Marketing performance
Client activity
Progress toward your milestones
Monthly reviews allow you to make adjustments early instead of discovering in September that you’ve fallen behind.
Step 8: Add Accountability
Accountability is what keeps your goals alive.
This could be:
Working with an accountant
Joining a mastermind
Monthly check-ins with a mentor
Adding your goals to your management system
Reviewing them each quarter with your team
Consistency comes from structure, not willpower.
The Bottom Line
The goals you set for 2026 should stretch you but still feel achievable. When they are rooted in real data and supported by a clear plan, you give yourself the best chance of making genuine progress.
If you want help reviewing your numbers or creating a realistic and achievable 2026 plan, drop us a message. We can walk you through it step by step.
Meet Lewis
Lewis is a professional accountant and founder of Rhombus Accounting. He regularly shares his knowledge and best advice here on his blog and on other channels such as LinkedIn.
Book a call today to learn more about what Lewis and Rhombus Accounting can do for you.
