On this week’s Dear Katie, I want to ask you a question about yourself this week: Have you set yourself up for success in 2026?
And I’m not talking about making a checklist (like we all do) with goals that we want to achieve.
I mean this instead:
Have you looked at your life, your schedule, and your environment and asked, “What friction can I remove now so next year feels lighter?”
Last year, I talked about things I’m grateful I did in 2025.
These are the small, intentional decisions I made ahead of time that had an outsized impact on my energy, my business, and my peace.
None of them were complicated.
But all of them mattered.
Let’s talk about them!
Two years ago, I wasn’t taking much time any time off. Hard work and commitment crept up on me until I asked myself:
In the fall of 2024, I had the much-needed sit-down with my calendar that I had been ignoring for too long. My first vacation? It was blocked off for the first quarter of 2025. I actually decided that I would block off a “vacation” at least once per quarter.
Sometimes, these were the vacations you are probably envisioning, where I spent tons of time with my family and went somewhere fun.
Others?
They were taking off Thursday and Friday, or at least Friday, to force myself to reset and rest.
For example, I blocked off Halloween to enjoy this momentous moment through my one and three-year-olds’ eyes because, to them, this is such a magical time.
I even took off for the week between Christmas and New Year’s and a few other days throughout the year.
Sometimes, the dates I blocked off, I didn’t even know where I was going to go, but I did the most important thing, which was to reclaim my time.
Fall of 2025, I was back to setting my schedule for 2026 to have these breaks, no matter how small, to rest and reset.
Give yourself the mental space and energy you deserve this year so that you have the energy to set yourself up for success. And if you need the support (who doesn’t?), it’s time to build out your system.
Last year, I realized how important it is to have backup childcare.
I have a wonderful nanny, but life happens, and usually when you least expect it. Things like vacations, family events and sick days would throw my entire week off.
Now, I have trusted backup options I can rely on when I get the call saying, “Sorry, I’m sick today!”
Even if you don’t have kids, ask yourself: Who could I add to my support system to remove future stress?
Those people could be someone to help with:
Having just a little bit of support can free up so much mental bandwidth.
A few months ago, my office just felt “meh.” So, I focused on changing that.
This little refresh gave the space new energy.
It wasn’t a full renovation.
It was just a few strategic changes. But it completely transformed how I felt walking into the space every day.
The same intentionality applies to your marketing.
If you don’t take some time to clear a few marketing roadblocks, the busy season and daily demands will start running the show.
Just a little preparation can set you up for consistent growth and visibility without feeling like you’re scrambling mid-year.
Not sure where to start? Here are a few areas to focus on:
You don’t need a 40-page marketing plan. These three simple steps alone can go a long way in helping you grow your business this year.
It’s all about clearing space, personally and professionally, so that you can execute with clarity.
And, that’s a wrap on this Dear Katie question.
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Now I want to hear from you. Do you have a question?
Until next time, cheers to your success!
Katie
Encourage your team to block off vacation days in advance. Schedule regular breaks, even if they’re short, to help everyone recharge and maintain productivity.
Identify tasks that can be delegated, such as cleaning or scheduling, and find reliable people to help. This will free up your time and reduce stress.
Make small changes like repainting, improving lighting, or rearranging furniture. These updates can create a more energizing work environment.
Choose one or two key marketing campaigns that align with your firm’s goals. This focused approach will help you manage resources effectively and drive growth.
Review your current follow-up methods and ensure they are efficient. Use tools to track leads and address any broken links or outdated workflows.
Refresh and update your top content pieces with new insights or information. This can help maintain engagement without starting from scratch.