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 connectionWhy 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 changeWhy so many entrepreneurs felt unstable in 2025 — and how to honor what actually happened before planning aheadThe questions I use every year to figure out what I truly need in my business and personal lifeA guided reflection to set aligned, realistic, energizing goals for 2026Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarGet Sam's book "When I Start My Business, I'll Be Happy"Listen to the How to Grow Your Email List Series PlaylistSubscribe to Sam's Substack Beyond BusinessDownload Sam's Annual Planning GuideClick here to be notified when new episodes of On Your Terms® come outClick here to watch the free workshop so you can get legally protected right now!CONNECT:Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's SidebarFollow Sam on InstagramFollow Sam on YouTubeSubscribe to Sam's Substack, Beyond BusinessTake Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business"DISCLAIMER