What do YOU really want? A simple end-of-year Career & Business reset
As we edge towards the end of the year and start hearing the noise about “planning for 2026”, I think there’s a far more important question most people skip entirely: what do YOU actually want? Not what looks sensible on paper. Not what you should want. Not what everyone else seems to be chasing. Just you. Because if you don’t pause to answer that honestly, you’ll likely roll into another year on autopilot – busy, capable, doing all the right things… and still feeling slightly off in your career or business direction.
Why most people don’t get Career or Business clarity
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: nothing changes if nothing changes. And yet so many people hope that a new year, a new diary, or a new goal will magically shift things without them doing anything differently. This time of year is a gift. It naturally invites end-of-year reflection… if you let it. Before you rush into setting goals for 2026, it’s worth slowing right down and getting clear on what’s working, what’s draining you, and what you’re tolerating out of habit rather than choice in your career or business.
Nothing changes if nothing changes
One simple but powerful way to do this is the Stop, Start, Continue method – and I don’t mean as a vague journalling prompt you think about once and forget. I mean actually sitting down and walking yourself through it properly. This works because it forces you out of hope and into intention. It shines a light on patterns you’ve normalised and decisions you’ve been avoiding – especially if you’re feeling stuck in your career or unsure about your next move in business.
The STOP, START, CONTINUE exercise for Career & Business Growth
- STOP. What are you continuing to do simply because you always have? Roles, habits, expectations, commitments - especially the ones that drain you but feel “too sensible” to question. If something has been quietly costing you energy all year, this is your permission to stop pretending it’s fine. This is often where the biggest shift in career clarity begins.
- START. What do you know, deep down, you need to begin - even if it feels uncomfortable or inconvenient? The conversations you’ve been avoiding, the boundaries you haven’t set, the ideas you keep circling but never committing to. Starting isn’t about confidence; it’s about deciding that staying the same is no longer an option. This is true whether you’re navigating a career change or shaping your next phase of business growth.
- CONTINUE. What’s already working? What gives you energy, clarity, momentum? These are your clues. Don’t dismiss them as luck or coincidence - they’re showing you what alignment actually feels like in your work and your life.
How to get clear on what YOU want in 2026
This exercise matters because most people don’t stay stuck through lack of ability – they drift through lack of clarity. If you don’t consciously choose what stays, what goes, and what begins, you’ll default to the familiar. And the familiar is exactly what keeps people in the same place year after year.
2026 doesn’t need a better plan. It needs a more honest starting point.
Hi, I’m Leanne
A career change & business strategist and mentor, with 30 years global corporate experience. I’ll help you get clear on what you want, build the confidence to go after it, and create career assets that actually work – from standout CVs to a LinkedIn profile that gets you seen. Whether you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just unsure what’s next, I’m here to help you move forward with clarity and direction.
Get clear. Get confident. Get hired. If you’re ready to feel more in control of your job search, let’s talk.
