Happy Tuesday, Reader!

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Welcome back! I hope your holidays were restful and that you're easing into the new year with intention (and maybe not too much pressure).

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Speaking of pressure, can we talk about resolutions for a second?

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Every January, we set these rigid goals, and by February, most of us feel like we've already failed. The problem isn't us. The problem is that resolutions are static, but our businesses (and lives) are anything but.

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A roadmap is better than a resolution because it adapts as you go.

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We talk to our clients a lot about how a good strategic plan is more like a flexible GPS system than a static map. For example, when you're driving and miss a turn, your GPS doesn't shame you or shut down. It recalculates and shows you a new route to the same destination.

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That's what a roadmap does for your business. You assess where you are now, decide where you want to be at some point in the future, and plot a flexible journey between the two.

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So this month, we're going to help you map out your 2026 and pack the right tools to help you along the way.

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Start by deciding where you want to be.

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This could look like setting revenue goals for the year, or something bigger and more transformative—like preparing for an acquisition, pivoting to a new line of business, or finally building that team you've been dreaming about.

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Here's how we like to break down the "Where do you want to be?" question into three parts:

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• Long Range (10+ Years): This is what mission statements are made of. It's your North Star: directional, aspirational, and big enough to guide you without boxing you in.
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• Mid Range (2-3 Years from now): Almost no one thinks at this interval anymore, and I believe it’s why so much short-sighted, quarterly thinking is overtaking us. Long-term goals are too far away to be actionable. Short-term goals are too close to provide enough context. Mid-term thinking bridges the gap and gives you something meaty to work toward.
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• Short Range (within a year, often broken down by quarter): This is where your strategic plan lives. It includes quarterly realignments and working project plans that keep you moving forward while staying responsive to what's actually happening in your business.
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Then, get clear on where you are right now.

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You can't plot a journey if you don't know your starting point. Before you can map the route to where you want to be, you need an honest assessment of where you are today.

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These two tools can help you get there:

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1. Start with a SWOT analysis if you haven't done one for the new year yet.

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SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats, and it provides a clear picture of the state of your business and where you most need to focus your efforts. It's straightforward, strategic, and cuts through the noise to show you what's actually working (and what's holding you back).

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2. Then, take our Brand Archetype Quiz to understand how your unique brand personality resonates with your audience.

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​Our free 5-minute quiz gives you direction when what seems to work for the businesses around you doesn’t give you the same results. You'll discover your unique approach to generating business—whether you're a Fully-Booked Cover Band, an Indie Artist, a Solo Act, a Crossover Sensation, or a Jukebox Hero—and, more importantly, what to do next to make your brand growth more sustainable and fun.

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Once you know where you are and where you want to be, the real work begins: plotting out the map between the two. This is what we do together in our strategic planning retreats, and we're currently booking for Q1 and Q2 if you'd like support with this process.

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If resolutions keep letting you down, maybe this year, let's plot out your journey instead.

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Next week, we'll dig into how to make the habits that support your roadmap actually stick.

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Until next time,

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Renia C.

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P.S. - Remember the founding cohort of The $250K Club kicks off on January 27. You'll work through the Do Better Business™ Method alongside fellow founders, strengthening the five core areas that make scaling possible instead of chaotic. Get more details here, or refer the link to someone you think would be a good fit!

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