Planning your business year doesn’t have to feel like a chore. If the idea of spreadsheets and rigid goals makes your head spin, you’re not alone. That’s why I’m sharing these steps for business planning for online entrepreneurs that keep the New Year fun, flexible, and (most importantly) effective. Whether you’re an anti-planner like me or just looking for a refreshing approach, these steps will help you align your goals with how you actually want to work—no boring spreadsheets required.
Step 1: Embrace Not Planning Anything
This might sound counterintuitive, but planning everything down to the week has been exhausting—and it’s taken a toll on my mental and physical health. Instead of stressing over detailed plans that might not survive life’s curveballs, I focus on adaptable strategies and meaningful actions that keep me moving forward.
One of my favorite resources for this is Lizzy Goddard’s Anti-Planning Workshop. It reminds me to forget the “set goals and stick to them” spiel and to work with my brain, not against it. This approach helps me feel less boxed in and more aligned with how I actually want to run my business.
Why it works: When you embrace flexibility, you remove the pressure of perfection and open yourself up to creative, sustainable ways of working that adapt to life’s changes.
Pro Tip: Find a resource or workshop that speaks to your mindset and gets you excited about planning. It’s worth rewatching or rereading something that inspires and energizes you.
Step 2: Review What You’re Working With
I’ve got so many tools and trainings at my disposal—lifetime apps (thank you, AppSumo), monthly subscriptions, and lifetime access to courses and templates. This planning season, I’m going through my entire list, starting with the ones that cost me monthly, and asking myself if they’re worth the price.
This step helps me not only save money but also refocus on the tools and resources that actually make a difference in my business. For instance, a software that automates tasks or simplifies processes is a keeper. On the other hand, a course I bought but never use? It’s time to let it go.
Why it works: Decluttering your tools streamlines your systems and ensures you’re not wasting money or energy on resources that don’t add value.
Pro Tip: List all your tools and their costs. Ask yourself: Is this tool saving me time? Is it actively helping my business grow? If the answer is no, it might be time to cancel.
Step 3: Ask Yourself: How Do I Want to Make Money This Year?
I’ve tried almost every type of way to make money in online business—and it’s easy to get distracted by shiny new strategies. This year, I’m stepping back to focus on what feels exciting, sustainable, and burnout-free.
For me, that looks like affiliate offers, digital products (including events), sponsorships, short-term one-on-one coaching, and VIP days.
This isn’t a rigid plan, but it gives me a clear direction for the year ahead. Asking this question ensures that the ways I’m making money align with how I want to work and what feels rewarding.
Why it works: Defining your income streams in advance helps you stay focused and avoid chasing trends that don’t serve your long-term goals.
Pro Tip: Write down your income streams (current and potential). Then evaluate which ones you want to prioritize or adjust based on what feels good for you and your business.
Step 4: Ask Yourself: How Do I Want to Do Content?
Content creation is a big part of my business, but it can also feel overwhelming. Instead of trying to do it all, I focus on what energizes me. For me, that’s email and video content. Here’s how I’m breaking it down this year:
- Create live emails (goal: weekly, but only when inspiration strikes).
- Repurpose those emails into evergreen emails for my 2 Step Tuesdays series.
- Repurpose into blog posts and, optionally, Instagram Reels or video trainings.
By focusing on these formats, I can create timeless content that serves my audience while reducing the pressure to constantly produce. I also give myself permission to work in bursts of creativity rather than trying to stick to a rigid schedule.
Why it works: Prioritizing content types you enjoy ensures consistency and authenticity, making it easier to connect with your audience.
Pro Tip: Outline your preferred content platforms and formats. Then, create a loose schedule that gives you structure without feeling restrictive.
Step 5: Ask Yourself: How Do I Want to Grow My List?
Growing my email list is a top priority, and I’ve learned that it’s not just about hosting events—it’s about expanding into new audiences. This year, I’m focusing on collaborations, including contributing to bundles, hosting audio summits, freebie exchanges, and creating content on my own platforms.
These strategies not only bring in new subscribers but also align me with like-minded entrepreneurs, building a community of engaged and supportive connections.
Why it works: A focused list-building strategy ensures you’re attracting the right audience—people who are genuinely interested in your offers.
Pro Tip: Plan out 1-2 big collaborations or lead-generation events for the year. Having these on your calendar early makes them easier to execute.
Bonus Step: How Do I Stay Engaged?
As a multipassionate entrepreneur, I get bored easily. That’s why I plan ways to stay engaged, whether it’s trying new collaboration styles or diving into creative projects. For example, this year I started a travel planning business with my husband, and I’m exploring new content ideas for newsletters and media projects that align with my personal passions.
This step is all about giving myself permission to explore new ideas without feeling guilty. Sometimes, these side projects even turn into revenue streams, but their primary purpose is to keep my mind engaged and excited.
Why it works: Staying engaged with passion projects prevents burnout and keeps your creativity flowing, which benefits your core business.
Pro Tip: Give yourself permission to experiment. Not every project has to be tied to revenue—some can simply spark joy and keep your mind engage
Planning your year doesn’t have to be overwhelming or boring. By focusing on these five steps (plus the bonus), you’ll create a strategy that feels aligned, flexible, and fun. Ready to kick off your best business year yet?
