January has a habit of making us feel overwhelmed and under pressure to set goals and make plans for our marketing.
You get a bit of breathing and headspace over Christmas. The inbox gets quieter, there’s less in the diary…and suddenly you’re thinking things like:
“I need a marketing plan for next year.”
“I should be clearer about what I’m doing in the new year.”
“I really need to sort my marketing out.”
If you’re already thinking about your January or 2026 marketing plan, you’re not the only one. Most business owners never fully switch off. Some just think more quietly than others.
Before you open a blank document and start planning what comes next, there’s a more useful place to start.
Pause before you plan
One of the biggest mistakes I see in marketing strategy planning is jumping straight to new activity.
New ideas, platforms, contents…and distractions by shiny new things!
Without stopping first to review what’s already happening.
A good marketing plan doesn’t start with “what should I do next?”.
It starts with “what’s actually working?”.
If you’d like a simple way to pause and review what’s already working, I’ve shared a short, free marketing review toolkit here.
Why a marketing review matters before January planning
When businesses skip the review stage, January marketing plans often end up:
- busy, but not focused
- based on habit rather than results
- full of activity, light on confidence
A short, honest marketing review gives you something far more valuable than a long to do list. It gives you clarity.
And clarity makes planning easier.
What to review before planning your January marketing
You don’t need a complicated audit or a pile of spreadsheets. A few calm questions will usually tell you a lot.
Here are some to get you started.
What genuinely worked this year?
Not what do you think should have worked. What actually brought enquiries, conversations, sales or enquiries?
What tool a lot of effort for very little return?
These are often the things people keep doing out of guilt or habit…you know the ones “we’ve always done it that way.”
What felt heavy, and what felt easier than expected?
Ease matters more than we admit when it comes to marketing and getting into a routine that works.
What are you continuing to do just because you’ve always done it?
January is a good time to let somethings go.
Reflecting on these things makes your marketing strategy more intentional. You’re choosing what to build on, not just adding to your to do list.
Planning your 2026 marketing plan with confidence
Whether you’re thinking about a complete reset in January or starting to create your 2026 marketing plan, the principles are the same.
- You don’t need to fix everything.
- You don’t need a perfect plan.
- And you don’t need to decide it all right now.
You just need to understand what deserves your time and attention in the new year.
A calmer way to review your marketing
If you’d like a bit of structure to help you pause and review, I’ve put together a short, free toolkit.
It’s designed to help you:
- review what’s working and what isn’t
- sense check where your effort is going
- decide what to do more of, less of, or stop
- get clear before you start planning January marketing.
It’s something you can dip into over the Christmas break, without pressure or overwhelm.
If now isn’t the time, that’s fine too.
Clarity will still be useful whenever you’re ready to plan what’s next.
If working through this brings up more questions than answers, that’s normal.
Marketing clarity usually comes from conversation, reflection, and having space to think – not from doing more on your own.
That’s exactly what mentoring, strategy sessions, and ongoing support are designed for.
