Finish Strong: Why Q4 Deserves More of Your Energy than January

We kicked off September talking about the Back to Biz reset, the post-summer, post-Labor Day energy that gets clients (and us!) back into work mode. That reset isn’t just a seasonal shift; it’s an opportunity.

Now that we’ve dusted off our inboxes and kicked the sand out of our work shoes, it’s time to build. And October, my friends, is go time.

Welcome to Q4: the most overlooked and important strategic window of the year.

The Power of Q4 Planning

There’s something about a new year that makes us feel like everything resets, like we’ll finally have the time, energy, and headspace to make the changes we’ve been putting off, but we all know how that usually turns out…

While January gets all the attention for fresh starts, truly setting yourself up for success in 2026 starts now. 

72% of small business owners say the final quarter of the year is their most strategic planning period and more impactful than January goal setting (QuickBooks Annual Survey, 2023).

So, why wait?

The final stretch of the year can often be treated like a wind-down, when in reality, it can be your warm-up. Your runway. Your pivot point.

Whether your summer felt slow, your year got away from you, or you’ve been stuck in reactive mode, this is your reminder: 

You have time. You have tools. You have a whole quarter left.

Let’s use it.

Why Most of Us Get Q4 Wrong

We typically enter October in one of two modes:

• Frantic Mode: Trying to deliver what we promised ourselves in January.
  
• Floating Mode: Waiting for the holidays to pass so we can “start fresh” next year.
  

Neither leads to great momentum.

But what if we shifted from scrambling to strategizing?

Q4 is prime time for intentional reflection and business refinement. It’s a season of clarity if you let it. You don’t need a new year.  You need a new plan.

You’ve probably heard the stat that 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by February, but did you know: 

Businesses that create quarterly plans are 33% more likely to hit their annual goals than those that don’t. (U.S. Bank Small Business Survey)

Let’s ditch the someday mindset and create your 90-day runway with these five steps:

1. Set a Q4 Focus (Not a Finish Line)

Forget big resolutions or full-year catch-up. Choose one thing to move forward:

• One service to promote.
  
• One project to launch.
  
• One new routine to build.
  

This isn’t about adding pressure—it’s about channeling your energy where it counts.

Try this: Block off a 90-minute “sprint session” each week for this priority. Name it. Protect it. Act on it.

2. Refine What You’re Selling Before January

Your Q1 clients are already out there; they’re just not raising their hands yet. Use this time to clean up your offer suite:

• Update the language about your services.
  
• Clarify pricing and process.
  
• Repackage something small into a seasonal mini-offer.
  

Try this: Ask yourself, “Is my website/LinkedIn ready for who I want to serve in 2026?” If not, make the update now, before you’re buried in January inquiries.

3. Reignite Relationships (Without Pitching)

Q4 naturally lends itself to reflection and gratitude, which makes it a great time to rekindle authentic connections. Hey, it’s one of the reasons we tell our job seeker clients to network during the holidays! Take our own advice and: 

• Share a behind-the-scenes look at your year on LinkedIn.
  
• Send a note to past clients or collaborators with no ask—just a thank you or update.
  
• Invite someone into a co-working day, podcast, or creative brainstorm.

Try this: Make a short list of 5 people you’d love to reconnect with and set a simple goal: one meaningful message per week until Thanksgiving.

4. Start the Year Before It Starts

January success doesn’t come from thin air. It’s built now. Carve out time for planning, not just doing.

Try this: Block a solo “CEO Day” in late October or early November to:

• Review what worked in 2025.
  
• Brain-dump new ideas for next year.
  
• Map out Q1 content, offers, or themes.

It doesn’t have to be perfect, but having a plan in motion means you enter January proactive instead of reactive.

5. Show Up with Value

Momentum isn’t just about planning; it’s about visibility. 

Whether it’s publishing a thought leadership post, hosting a mini workshop, or sharing behind-the-scenes progress on your Q4 sprint, showing up with something useful builds trust, credibility, and momentum before year-end.

Try this: Choose one way to show your work before Thanksgiving: share a resource, a client win, or even a lesson learned. Keep it real, not perfect.

The Bottom Line

Q4 isn’t your last chance. It’s your launch pad.

You don’t have to squeeze a year’s worth of progress into three months, but you can make moves that carry you into 2026 with clarity, confidence, and momentum.

As the saying goes:

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.”

Whether it’s refining an offer, sending that email, or finally putting your CEO day on the calendar, this is your moment to put you and your business first. 

Your Challenge This Month

Take one hour this week and answer these three questions:

1. What unfinished idea or project am I ready to prioritize?
   
2. What connection or collaboration would re-energize me right now?
   
3. What small shift would make my business feel more aligned in Q4?
   

Pick one. Schedule the next step. Make it real.

You don’t need to do everything. You just need to start.

Your Friend and Coach,
Angie Callen, PCC, CPCC, CERW, CPRW