Why Most Business Plans Don’t Work (and what to do instead in 2026)

If you’re an established small business owner, chances are you do plan. But what can be so frustrating, is when your business plan doesn’t work. It’s usually not your fault because unfortunately, most business plans don’t work.

The common pattern goes:

You set goals.
You think about what you want next year to look like.
You might even write a list or map out some ideas.

And yet…
By February or March, those goals are often forgotten, diluted, or replaced by whatever feels most urgent in the moment.

Not because you’re lazy.
Not because you lack discipline.
But because most planning processes don’t actually work for real life.

The real problem with traditional planning

After 18 years of coaching small business owners, I’ve noticed a pattern that means that most business plans don’t work.

Most people don’t struggle with ideas.

They struggle with:

• Choosing goals that genuinely matter (not just what they think they should want)

• Staying focused once the year gets busy

• Translating big intentions into practical, doable actions

• Navigating the Inner Game stuff that quietly derails progress (self-doubt, overwhelm, overthinking, resistance)

Traditional business plans often:

• Focus too heavily on numbers and tactics

• Ignore what’s actually driving behaviour

• Feel rigid, overwhelming, or disconnected from real life

• End up living in a drawer instead of guiding decisions

What does work instead

The most effective planning I’ve seen (and use myself) is built on three things:

1. Meaningful goals, not just impressive ones

Goals that align with what matters now, not who you were a year ago or who you think you’re meant to be.

2. Simplicity over complexity

Fewer priorities. Clear focus. A plan you can actually remember and use when things get busy.

3. A clear game plan

So your goals don’t stay as good intentions, but become something you move towards steadily, even when motivation dips or life throws curveballs.

This is exactly the process I use with my coaching clients and in my own business every year.

Introducing: Your 2026 Game Plan

I’m really excited to share that Your 2026 Game Plan is now available.

This book isn’t about hustling harder or setting unrealistic targets.

It’s a guided planning process designed specifically for small business owners who want clarity, focus, and momentum without burning out.

Inside, you’ll be guided to:

• Reflect on what actually worked (and didn’t) in the past year

• Identify what truly matters for the year ahead

• Set goals that feel meaningful and motivating

• Create a clear, practical game plan to support consistent action

• Reduce overwhelm by focusing on what will genuinely move the needle

This is the same book I use for my own planning, and every Kaizen Coaching client receives a copy as part of their work with me.

Who this book is for

Your 2026 Game Plan is ideal if you:

• Run a service-based business (solo or small team)

• Are capable but often feel overwhelmed or scattered

• Want progress that feels sustainable, not exhausting

• Are tired of starting strong and losing momentum

• Value reflection, clarity, and smart strategy over hustle

How to get your copy

You can order Your 2026 Game Plan in digital version for easy access anytime, anywhere

👉 Grab your copy of Your 2026 Game Plan here

If planning has felt heavy, frustrating, or uninspiring in the past, this might be the shift to help you follow through and achieve those goals.

Here’s to creating a year that feels focused, intentional, and meaningful.

Kim♾️

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P.S. If you’ve been feeling stuck, unclear, or quietly frustrated that you’re capable of more than your current results reflect, a proven planning process can change everything. Your 2026 Game Plan is designed to help you move forward with clarity and confidence, without adding more pressure. You can get your copy here.