A Simple Planning & Goal-Setting Guide for Women Entrepreneurs

This might sting a lil… but stay with me.

This might sting a lil… but stay with me.

Because the truth no one wants to admit is this:

👉🏼 You can’t be upset by the results you didn’t get with the work you didn’t do.

And before you get upset thinking, “But I DID work hard…”

Hear me out.

This isn’t about shaming you.

It’s about being honest- with tons of tough love.

Because your effort matters. Your energy matters. And the actions you take matter.

Whatever you put in is EXACTLY what you’ll get back.

And yes- sometimes that means asking yourself some uncomfortable questions:

• Are you actively putting yourself in front of new customers?
• Are you seeking out resources, mentorship, and solutions?
• Are you actually taking action, OR do you keep procrastinating?

You can’t expect champagne results with tap-water effort.

You can’t expect momentum without MOVING.

And you can’t expect growth without discomfort.

But here’s the part most people miss…

If your business didn’t grow this year, it doesn’t automatically mean you failed.

It means we need to PIVOT.

So let’s dive into it.

If Your Business Didn’t Grow This Year, Let’s Start Here

Let’s normalize that every business goes through SEASONS.

• Seasons of growth
• Seasons of maintenance
• Seasons of survival
• Seasons of recalibration

And not every year is meant to reap GLASS SHATTERING results.

Sometimes growth doesn’t show up as more money, more customers, or more followers.

But sometimes it shows up as:

• Better boundaries
• Cleaner systems
• Hard lessons
• Stronger leadership
• Clearer vision

And sometimes?

It shows up as exhaustion- which is your body’s way of saying *“*Something about the way you’re running this needs to change.”

If this year felt heavy, overwhelming, or stagnant, that’s not a sign to quit.

It’s a sign to pause, reflect, and get intentional before charging into another year on autopilot.

Before You Plan Forward, You Have to Look Back (Without Spiraling)

Most women skip reflection because they’re afraid of what they’ll find.

So let’s do this differently.

This is NOT about judgment.

This is about gathering information and FACTS so we can DO BETTER in the future.

Ask yourself:

• What drained me the most this year?
• What energized me- even if it didn’t make the most money?
• What did I keep doing out of obligation instead of alignment?
• Where did I grow as a leader, even if the numbers didn’t explode?

Your answers matter more than any trend, strategy, or goal-setting worksheet.

Because clarity doesn’t come from doing more - it comes from seeing clearly.

Small Business Planning Tips for Women Entrepreneurs (Who Are Tired of Overcomplicating Everything)

Let’s call it how it is:

Most business planning advice is written as if you have endless time, a FULL team supporting you, and don’t have a life OUTSIDE of your business.

That’s not the reality for most women in business.

So let’s talk about real planning.

1. Plan for Capacity, Not Fantasy

Just because you CAN do something doesn’t mean you should.

Your goals need to fit your energy, the season of life you’re in and the actual level of support you DO or DO NOT have. There is NO AWARD for being the overworked female of the year.

2. Plan for Profit, Not Just Productivity

Being busy doesn’t mean you’re being effective.

Ask yourself:

• What actually made money this year?
• What took the most effort for the least return?
• What needs to be simplified or eliminated?

Revenue is cute, but PROFIT is what keeps your business in business.

3. Plan in Shorter Windows

Year-long plans are great… but quarterly focus is where the magic happens.

Instead of trying to fix everything at once or cross everything off your to-do list:

• Choose ONE main focus per quarter
• Support it with simple, repeatable actions
• Build momentum before adding more

Consistency beats intensity every time.

How to Set Realistic Business Goals for the New Year

Did you know that about 80% of goals FAIL by February? YUP, you read that right!

And most people don’t fail because they’re lazy, but because their goals are based on:

• Comparison
• Pressure
• Ego
• Or someone else’s highlight reel

So here’s how to set goals that actually stick.

Separate Revenue Goals From Lifestyle Goals

More money doesn’t automatically mean more freedom.

Ask yourself:

• What do I want my days to feel like?
• How much do I actually need to make to support that?
• What am I willing (and not willing) to sacrifice?

Alignment matters more than arbitrary numbers.

Choose Focus Over Frenzy

You don’t need 10 goals.

You need:

• One clear priority
• One meaningful metric
• One commitment to follow through

Growth happens when your actions match your intentions.

Build Goals Around Systems, Not Willpower

Willpower and motivation fade.

Systems sustain.

Instead of saying:

• “I’ll just try harder.”

Ask:

• What system would make this easier?
• What support do I need?
• What do I need to learn or delegate?

Smart growth is supported growth.

If You’re Heading Into the New Year Tired, Read This

If you’re starting the new year feeling behind, discouraged, burnt out, or questioning yourself, lemme tell you:

You are not broken.

Your business is not doomed.

And this is not the end of your story.

Growth doesn’t always look like MORE.

Sometimes it looks like:

• Choosing differently
• Letting go of what no longer serves you
• Leading yourself with honesty and compassion
• Showing up even when it’s uncomfortable

You deserve a business that thrives.

You deserve results that match your potential.

And you deserve to look back one day and say,

“DAMN. I did that. And I’m proud of myself.”

But that only happens when you show up like the CEO you keep saying you want to become.

So friend… here’s the real question:

Are you truly doing the work?

Or just THINKING about doing the work?

Start with ONE thing this week.

One decision.

One action.

One shift.

Momentum doesn’t come from perfection - it comes from movement.

And I’m cheering for the version of you who chooses to move. ❤️

Xo, Janelle

P.S. If you’re READY to leave 2025 behind and make 2026 a year of MASSIVE GROWTH, then I wanna encourage you to check out my group coaching community, Power Hour!

As a member, you get:

• Live WEEKLY 60-minute group coaching sessions
• Access to every single recording
• Tailored business advice to your specific business challenges/goals
• A community of like-minded business owners seeking support, strategy, and connection just like YOU!

You can learn more about Power Hour here!