This One Thing Will Build Your Business in the New Year — Evaluation

Too often, we move from one year to the next without giving the past year much thought. We get caught in routines or try new things without knowing why they succeed — or don’t. As 2026 approaches, taking time for self-evaluation can give you clarity, insight and a stronger foundation for the year ahead.

If reflection isn’t one of your favorite things, let the words of John Wooden, legendary basketball coach and player, inspire you:

“Without proper self-evaluation, failure is inevitable.”

So, let’s celebrate the successes, prepare ourselves to look back thoughtfully and gain insights that will serve us and our businesses well in the future. 

Celebrate Victories

Who were your go-to people, your movers and shakers? How did they contribute to the success of your business this year? I bet their names come to you immediately. Write down those names, along with the specific accomplishments of each person. Then make a note to spend more time thinking about how and when you’ll celebrate them. Now, put your notes away. It’s time to focus on you.

Get Into the Right Frame of Mind

1. Choose a time and place free from distractions. 

2. Make sure you have any data or information that will help you with your evaluation.

3. Take five minutes to brainstorm any to-dos you’ll need to attend to later (picking up dinner, helping your child with their school project, reordering materials for your packers). If additional tasks distract you while you’re evaluating, add those to the list.

4. Turn off your notifications and silence your phone (plan a break during your evaluation to check it), and let others know under what circumstances they can disrupt you. (Aim for no disruptions).

Consider These Questions About 2025

1. Did my decisions align with my short-term and long-term goals, or did I let urgent distractions pull me off course?

2. Was I proactively working from a plan, or was I reactive?

3. How can I be more efficient with my time and work?

4. Have I been reliable, approachable, encouraging and supportive?

5. Did I express appreciation for my coworkers, employees and partners?

6. How did I handle or communicate change, and how can I grow in this area?

7. Did I nurture relationships with key partnerships with clients, partners and employees? 

8. What skills did I build this year and what did I learn?

9. How can I better prepare to avoid feeling frustrated or ill-equipped?

10. Did I take responsibility for my mistakes and find ways to fix them?

11. What can I do to put mistakes in their proper perspective?

12. How balanced was my work and personal life?

13. What steps can I take to improve mentally, physically and emotionally for the year ahead?

14. What other questions should I ask myself in this self-evaluation?

15. How will I celebrate the completion of my self-evaluation?

Enter 2026 With a Plan

Congratulations on taking the time to evaluate yourself. It’s not always easy, but it’s always beneficial! Armed with your notes, decide which area you’ll focus on first. As you feel comfortable with the steps you’re taking, move to the next priority — and schedule a time, perhaps quarterly, to re-evaluate how you’re doing. If you’re consistently trying to improve yourself, you’ll find your business growing and more reasons to celebrate!

After you've mastered self-evaluation, continue on with the other editions of our three-part Evaluation series.

Part 2 - The Business Evaluation: Gaining Insight for Organizational Growth

Part 3 - Turning Evaluation Into Action: How to Prioritize, Plan and Get Buy-In