We're at the end of another year, and I'm seeing it everywhere: people are ready to just shut the door on 2025 and start fresh with a clean slate in 2026.
I get it. There's something appealing about forgetting the last 12 months and focusing only on what's ahead.
But when we're so quick to just move on, we lose an incredible opportunity to learn some key things about ourselves. Things that will actually set us up for much better results in the year ahead.
So before you dive into planning 2026, I want to share a simple process I've been doing intentionally for years. I call it my year-end retrospective, and it's a game changer.
Pull out what you're proud of
Go back through your calendar, your planners, your success trackers, whatever memory joggers you have. Start at January 1, 2025 and work through every single month.
Look at what you accomplished. Actually take pen to paper and write it down.
January feels like a lifetime ago, right? When I went through mine, there were things I had completely forgotten about. Things that deserved revisiting and celebrating.
There's something really powerful about seeing all the things you have to be proud of over the last year. And when the year is coming to a close, we tend to focus only on what we didn't hit. By starting with celebration, you get into a much better mindset for the next part.
Identify what to bring forward
Go back through the last 12 months again and ask: what served me well that I want to make sure I'm bringing into the new year?
Maybe there's a new skill you learned that you're still fine-tuning. New routines or habits you put in place that are working. Systems or processes you tweaked that you want to keep.
For me, there are some things we set up around our house this year that are actually serving our family really well. I want to carry those forward into 2026 with intention, not just forget about them and be haphazard.
Write them down. These things served you well in 2025. Put them on a prioritized list, so you're intentionally bringing them forward.
Decide what to leave behind
On the flip side, identify what happened in 2025 that no longer serves you. Things you can just leave behind.
I'm not talking about the extra pounds you might have gained (we'll get to that). I'm talking about commitments, habits, events, or communities that aren't serving you anymore.
Maybe there's a networking group you've been part of for years, but it's changed and no longer fits. Leave it behind. That opens up space on your calendar for new opportunities.
Maybe there are habits you fell into in the last few months that aren't serving you well. Just leave those behind and intentionally don't carry them into 2026.
You're creating space for what matters by shedding what doesn't.
Reframe your goals around what you control
As you do this retrospective, your brain will naturally start thinking about goals and dreams for 2026.
When that happens, make sure your goals are something you have 100% control over.
I see so many people set goals but they miss identifying the actual activities they have control over.
Instead of "lose 10 pounds," maybe it's "get 20 minutes of exercise four days a week" or "no sweets after 7 PM."
Zero in on very specific, trackable activities that you have complete control over. That's what you track. That's what sets you up for success.
Take the time
Instead of just rushing into 2026, take some time this week to look back over the last 12 months.
Do that retrospective. Figure out what you want to bring forward. Figure out what you want to leave behind. Then let your brain start thinking about the goals and dreams you have for the next 12 months.
Translate those into activities you have complete control over.
That's going to set you up in a place of empowerment as you step into 2026.
- The TOP Planner for 2026!
Most planners are designed to make you feel productive. The TOP Planner is designed to actually make you productive! A lot of planners give you pages and pages of space to write down everything, which just creates more overwhelm.
The TOP Planner is intentionally minimalist because it gives you exactly what you need to create a realistic weekly plan. Not a place to dump every task that pops into your head. A real plan that shows you how much time you actually have, helps you decide what matters most this week, and keeps you from overscheduling yourself. This isn't just a planner. It's a planning system! - The Toy Clutter Cure by Katy Wells
If you're tripping over toys constantly or picking them up seventeen times a week because no one else will, this is for you!
The Toy Clutter Cure is a step-by-step system to take back control and cure toy clutter once and for all. You'll learn how to get your kids on board with less stuff, declutter like a pro, set up a toy rotation that revolutionizes how your kids play, and keep clutter in check with strategies that take just minutes. - Kids Cook Real Food eCourse
Still need presents for the kids you love most? Online shopping is a mess with shipping delays, and the stores are either packed or picked clean. Here's a solution that doesn't require fighting crowds or crossing your fingers that a package arrives on time.
Kids Cook Real Food is an online cooking course for ages 2-teen that teaches kids how to become confident in the kitchen. With three skill levels, families can learn together as kids build real independence and capability. A VIP Membership makes a great gift for all ages because access never expires, and kids can log in from anywhere, whether they're at home or at grandma's house.
Why Your Planners Keep Failing
That drawer full of barely-used planners? It's not proof you're failing at planning. It's proof the planner industry has been failing you. The truth is, you don't have a planner problem. You have a system problem.
In this video, I'm breaking down exactly why planners keep ending up abandoned, which types of planners set you up to fail from day one, and what you actually need to stop the cycle.
You'll learn why daily planners, empty weekly spreads, and "everything planners" sabotage your success before you even start, the one thing every abandoned planner has in common (and it's not about discipline or motivation), and what a real planning system looks like that works regardless of what's competing for your time.
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Where to Track Tasks for Context-Specific Time Blocks Without Creating More Overwhelm
You've blocked an hour for laptop time on your calendar to avoid context switching, but where do you actually write down all the specific tasks you're going to do during that hour? If you've got ten small things piling up that you're planning to knock out in one sitting, writing them all in your planner gets messy fast.
In this week's Weekly Buzz, I'm answering this question that comes up constantly and sharing a few different solutions that work depending on your situation. The key is keeping it simple and using whatever tool you're already looking at when it's time to do the work.
Remember, this video is updated every Wednesday, so don’t miss it! Head to The Pink Bee app to watch now.
Friend, don’t forget—just 15 minutes of planning today can set the tone for your entire week. You’ve got the tools, you’ve got the tips, and now it’s time to take action. Let’s crush this week together!
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