It’s almost year-end, which means it’s time to start planning for 2026.

Soon it’ll be slow time again. A great time to clean up your desk, shop, schedule 1-1’s with the team, and reflect on how things went this past year.

A few year-end tasks are:

• Updating and creating new SOPs
• Staff performance reviews / have those honest conversations
• Investments to reduce tax liability
• Pricing review and adjustment (up)
• Financial review and books close out
• Review top 10 and bottom 10 customers
• Set financial goals for 2026

Here’s the kicker, as an owner, we don’t think about our own role enough. I challenge you to get out of the shop, grab a notebook, and let’s dig deeper:

• What did you enjoy doing this year in that you get positive energy doing it?
• What tasks drain you the most?
• Next year, what do you want to spend more time doing?
• What should be off your plate?
• What process haven’t you documented that you should?
• What aren’t you the best at? Could you hire someone amazing for that or do you need to level up?
• What tasks do you “just” do but don’t need to?
• Are you paying yourself enough?
• Did you allow your team to solve harder problems or take them on yourself?
• Where did you spend time that doesn’t add much value to the business?
• How much vacation time would you like to take next year?
• What hard conversations did you avoid?
• Do you need a different skillset to continue growth next year?

Want a full list of year-end questions? Take a look at our new downloadable, Annual Shop & Owner Review.

Cheers to a great 2025 and 2026 around the corner!