Reflect, Release, Restart: The 3 R’s Your Business Needs Before the New Year

There is something about the quiet stretch between Christmas and New Year’s that feels different. The rush slows down, the big plans are behind us, and suddenly there is space to think. Not hustle-think or panic-plan, but real, honest reflection.

In this episode of The Other 99% Podcast, Susan and I introduced a simple framework that kept me awake all night because I knew it mattered. We’re calling it Reflect, Release, Restart. Think of it as going back to school for your business, but without the pressure, guilt, or comparison.

This is not about tearing your business apart or starting over from scratch. It’s about looking at where you’ve been, deciding what no longer serves you, and intentionally choosing how you want to move forward.

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R #1: Reflect Without Beating Yourself Up

When most people hear the word reflect, they think criticism. What went wrong? What failed? What should I have done differently?

That’s not what this is.

Reflection is about collecting information, not judging yourself. It’s about looking back at the past year and noticing patterns, energy, and results.

Ask yourself questions like:

• What actually moved the needle in my business?
• What took a lot of time but gave very little return?
• What did I enjoy doing, even if it required effort?
• When I finished a project or event, did I feel energized or completely drained?

One of the best clues is how you felt at the end. Relief feels very different from excitement. When something feels hard but still leaves you proud and energized, that’s worth paying attention to.

Helpful places to look while reflecting:

• Your calendar
• Your camera roll
• Your back office reports
• Your social media history
• Your notes and planners

Reflection works best when it’s honest, not harsh.

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R #2: Release What No Longer Fits

This is usually the hardest part.

Release does not mean quitting your business or giving up on growth. It means letting go of things that no longer align with how you want your business to look and feel now.

That could include:

• Systems or subscriptions you keep “meaning to use”
• Events you run out of habit, not intention
• Tasks that live on your to-do list month after month
• Strategies you adopted because everyone else was using them

A powerful question to ask here is:
Am I doing this out of habit, or out of intention?

Another important one:
If I stopped doing this, would anyone actually notice but me?

That one can sting a little, but it’s incredibly freeing.

Releasing something is not failure. It’s an exhale. It creates space, time, energy, and even financial breathing room. Sometimes it helps to physically write something down and throw it away, just to make the release feel real.

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R #3: Restart With Purpose, Not Pressure

Restart does not mean rebuilding your business from the ground up. It means choosing what you want to introduce, improve, or return to now that you’ve made space.

This could look like:

• Tweaking a system that already works instead of replacing it
• Introducing a simple customer care process
• Trying a new way to generate leads
• Revisiting an idea you’ve been sitting on for months or years

Most people already know what they want to restart. It’s usually that idea that keeps popping up quietly in the back of your mind. The key is choosing something that excites you, not something you feel forced to do.

You don’t need to do everything.
You don’t need every system.
You don’t need to copy what works for someone else.

Your business gets to work for you.

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One Final Reminder

This framework is not about comparison. It’s not about keeping up. It’s about building a business that feels sustainable, aligned, and exciting as you head into 2026.

We would love to hear what you’re reflecting on, releasing, or restarting. You can leave a comment on the episode, send us a message, or join the conversation over on social.

Sometimes the biggest progress comes from slowing down just enough to choose what matters next.