How do you prepare to wrap up the year?

A year which, for so many, has been full of challenges and uncertainty. Since 2020, each year-end message I’ve put out to business owners has included some version of this observation — and I feel like a broken record saying it. Sadly, these levels of global turmoil feel like the new normal.

In times like these, it's natural to focus on survival. But as a business owner, looking ahead to 2025 and desiring success for your business does not have to be a selfish act.

If you have big goals for yourself and you want to see marked improvements in the world around you, you have what I call High Expectations, and your expectations get to be a gift to yourself and the world you, rather than a burden.

I've been hosting workshops this month exploring High Expectations — the name of both a coaching programme I run and my core philosophy about how talented business owners can approach themselves, their businesses, and their desire for impact on the world.

When you have High Expectations for yourself, you can carry those into your business' operating principles which in turn, have a greater chance of positively impacting the world at large. Maybe not overnight, but in a small way to begin, and in time with the more impact you make… perhaps a substantial one. Whether that's a significant step change, like Patagonia's founder donating all future profits to fight the climate crisis, to the woman I met last night who's working on creating more ethical practices in the real estate agent industry. Business can be a force for good.

An interview I conducted for my other newsletter this week revealed that trust in business is at an all-time low — which isn’t surprising. But there is hope, too. My guest Kelly shared that more organisations could embrace ‘stakeholder capitalism’ —where they create value not just for their shareholders, but for their employees, customers, communities, and the planet alike.

And, as a coach to SMEs and solo business owners, I can see that the majority of these individuals do genuinely seek to do good. My expectation and prediction is a future that shifts away from corporate dominance and towards smaller, more purposeful business units.

One of the reasons I set up Monday Mornings newsletter (as I wrote about last week) is that I see how fast the tide is shifting towards a place of mass entrepreneurialism and away from the 9-5. Business owners might soon make up the majority of the population. We strive for success in business because it's a vehicle of influence we can control (unlike the world around us).

What I've learned from running my own business and supporting others with theirs is too often big limitations prevent us from creating real impact:

1. Fear — of the unknown, of one’s own ambition, of both failure and of success

2. Knowledge gaps — especially around fundamental business principles (I wasted countless hours learning these the hard way)

3. Resource constraints — from personal energy management to accessing funding and support

These limitations aren't just personal hurdles; they're barriers to creating positive change in the world.

While these limitations are real and I don’t profess to have solutions to all of them, I know that the first step to overcoming them is clarity. I called my business The Ask because success starts with knowing exactly what you most want(your Ask), and then you can ask for it.

So how do you get that clarity as you prepare for the year ahead, address your limitations but make a plan for overcoming them?

Getting this clarity requires acknowledging your own set of High Expectations — what you truly want for yourself, your business, and the world. I've found it works best when you think about your High Expectations in order:

1. Having them for yourself — aka how you show up for yourself, keep your word, act with integrity... all that good stuff

2. Having them for your business — wanting it to operate at full capacity, to do great work, to build real community and yes, to be profitable too.

3. Having them for the world around you — dreaming big about the change you want to see in your community, your clients' lives, the world at large

Here's the thing — you cannot pour from an empty cup.

If you are depleted, burnt out, have wonky thinking… you bet it will seep into your business’ operations.

And if your business isn't functioning well — maybe you're losing money, overwhelming yourself, or struggling with clients and suppliers — there's no way you can stretch further to focus on bigger impact.

So you work on yourself, followed by your business in order to have a much greater chance of leaving your legacy and your mark on the world.

I encourage everyone to do a personal, holistic review on the year that’s been and the year they want to have next. But if you are a business owner, how do you approach a business review that aligns with your High Expectations?

I created the Business Health & Wealth Planner for this exact purpose.

It's not just another annual review tool—it's designed specifically for entrepreneurs who want to leverage their High Expectations and get brutally honest about where their business stands today.

I've taken the best elements from my 1-1 planning and strategy sessions and turned them into a self-guided experience that helps you plan strategically and step into next year with real clarity about your business' trajectory.

Here's what makes the Business Health & Wealth Planner different:

• Focus on what matters most: You’ll get an honest assessment of where your business is thriving, where it needs attention, and exactly where to focus your energy next year. No more scattered thinking or guesswork.

• Create your unique roadmap: This isn't one-size-fits-all guidance. Whether you're building, scaling, or pivoting your business, you'll align your goals with your personal vision and values to create a plan that's uniquely yours.

• Stay grounded and on track all year long: Think of this as your business HQ—not just an annual exercise, but a living document where you'll track progress, adjust course, and stay accountable to your vision as the year unfolds.

• Plan for smart growth: Identify exactly what support you need—whether that's mentors, new hires, or other resources—and create a realistic budget to invest in your business growth.

Purchase Your Planner

Not only this, but if you purchase the planner before December 15th, you'll also get a personal invitation to join me and others in a LIVE Vision and Planning workshop in January. Together, we'll use the planner to dream big, plan strategically, and set the foundation for a healthy, wealthy 2025 — and really embrace what it means to do business for good.

If you're feeling called to approach the new year differently — to clarify your vision, create more momentum, and step more fully into your High Expectations — I'm really proud of creating this tool to help you get there. I can't wait to see what you make of it!

👉 Get the Business Health & Wealth Planner and start your Annual Review

Here are some other ways I can support you as we wrap up…

• Download this 3700-word guide about clearing your path ahead in business.

• Check out my 1-1 programme, High Expectations, designed for seasoned entrepreneurs ready for their next phase in business.

Thank you so much for reading. I’d love to know how you’re approaching your annual review? Hit reply and share your thoughts—I’m always curious to hear what’s next for you.