Planning for 2026: Reflect, Refocus, and Reignite Your Bookkeeping Practice

As the year wraps up, it’s the perfect time to pause and reflect on what’s worked, what hasn’t, and what you truly want your life and bookkeeping practice to look like in 2026.

Reflection is powerful when it’s honest and fresh, not polished or perfect. So in this post, I’ll walk you through my own reflections, then help you build your own simple plan for success next year.

My Own Reflection

I’ve had my bookkeeping practice for over 15 years — actually heading into year 16. These days, I don’t spend much time working in it because it runs beautifully without me. That freedom has allowed me to focus on The Strategic Bookkeeper, which is absolutely my life’s work.

Like many of you, my journey hasn’t been linear. I’ve been a single mum to a special-needs child, rebuilt after a marriage that didn’t work out, and learned that financial independence isn’t just about money — it’s about having time and choice.

So when I reflect on 2025, I feel grateful that my practice continues to tick along even when life throws curveballs. That stability comes down to one thing: The Bookkeeping Practice Blueprint and the Five Big Keys. They’re simple, but they work.

Checking In with Yourself

Now it’s your turn.

How has your year been? Has your practice run smoothly without you? Are you earning what you want? Are you working the hours that suit your life?

Maybe you’re like my right hand, Jo, who runs my practice. She’s had a tough year health-wise, yet the business has kept moving because the systems are strong. Or maybe you’re like Marianne, a bookkeeper I interviewed recently on my podcast, who’s gone from working weekends and long hours to taking holidays and spending quality time with family.

And if you’re like me this year — working more than you’d prefer — that’s okay too. It’s all part of the journey. The important thing is recognising it so you can plan for change.

Celebrate What’s Working

We bookkeepers tend to be perfectionists — detail-oriented, high-achieving, and sometimes our own harshest critics. But progress doesn’t come from focusing on what’s missing.

Celebrate what is working. Maybe you gained a new client, improved a process, or invested in your education. Maybe you just kept going when things felt hard. That counts.

This year, I finally achieved a decade-long dream — I’m about to head off on a big lap around Australia in a motorhome with my partner. We’ll be working from the road, and it feels surreal to say that out loud.

So what have you achieved? Write it down. Acknowledge it. Because gratitude fuels growth.

Building Your 2026 Plan

Once you’ve reflected, it’s time to plan — but keep it simple. I call this the Napkin Plan. It’s the kind of plan you could literally sketch on the back of a napkin.

Think of one of my coaching clients — we’ll call him Adam. He’s a successful trade-based entrepreneur. When we worked together recently, he arrived with a five-year plan drawn out on a single page:

• Build $10 million in assets (mostly property and business value).

• Grow his business to $11 million in annual turnover.

• Maintain 20% net profit.

Nothing fancy, just clarity. That’s what I want for you.

Your Own Napkin Plan

Here’s how to create your version:

1. Reflect first – look at what’s worked and what hasn’t this year.

2. Set a five-year vision – where do you want to be? Maybe it’s earning $200k, taking Fridays off, or owning an investment property.

3. Work backwards – what needs to happen in 2026 to get you there?

4. Set simple revenue and lifestyle goals – how much do you want to earn? How many hours do you want to work?

5. Keep it visual – jot it on one page. Scribbles are fine. Just get it out of your head and onto paper.

   
   

Real-World Numbers

Let’s use Lynda's story (one of the beautiful Tribe members in my progam) as a benchmark. As a solo bookkeeper, she hit $200,000 in revenue in her first year — with high profitability — by selling advisory from the start.

That’s absolutely achievable if you apply the Blueprint and focus on value over volume.

If you’ve got a small team, remember this ratio:

• 66% gross profit target

• 33% maximum for cost of sales (team and software)

• Minimal overheads

Those numbers will help you build a sustainable, scalable practice that gives you freedom — not burnout.

Bringing It All Together

So, here’s your action list:

1. Reflect on 2025 — how do you feel about your business and life?

2. Celebrate your wins — big and small.

3. Create your one-page napkin plan — focus on revenue, time, and lifestyle.

4. Re-listen to the episodes mentioned and use the Blueprint to guide your next steps.

In my next episode, I’ll go deeper into the Five Big Keys and show you how to turn this plan into consistent action. But for now, keep it simple and intentional.

Final Thoughts

Your life and business are intertwined — and both deserve care. It’s okay to have ups and downs. What matters is that you keep moving forward with clarity.

You don’t need a perfect plan. You just need a plan.

So grab a pen, pour a coffee, and map out your 2026 — on a napkin if you have to.

You’ve got this.

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