Pour One Out for 2024: What Worked, What Didn’t, and What’s Next

It’s the week between Christmas and New Year’s—a strange limbo where you’re technically working but also wondering if it’s acceptable to pour Bailey’s in your morning coffee. 

(Spoiler: It is.)  

Before you start Googling “vision boards for overachievers,” take some time to reflect on the past year. Evaluating what went right—and what went horribly, laughably wrong—isn’t just cathartic. It’s also how you set the stage for a bigger, better 2025.  

Here’s a simple end-of-year evaluation framework to help you wrap up 2024 with clarity and confidence.

1. Break Down the Numbers  

Numbers don’t lie (unlike that one client who swore they’d pay on time). Start with the basics:  

• Revenue Growth: How much did you make compared to 2023? 
•  Profit Margins: Did they grow, shrink, or ghost you?  
• Customer Retention: Are people coming back, or are they one-and-done?  
• Expenses: What costs could you cut in 2025 without sacrificing quality?  

A little tip? Don’t just look at the numbers—ask yourself WHY they are the way they are. Spotting trends is key to making smarter decisions.

2. Celebrate the Wins (Big and Small)  

Whether you hit a major milestone or just managed to keep the lights on, take time to celebrate. Wins aren’t always flashy, but they’re worth acknowledging.  

• Did you gain a dream client?  
• Finally automate that one process you hated?  
• Survive a crazy Q4 without losing your mind?  

Write it all down. Sometimes, recognizing progress is more motivating than setting new goals.

3. Call Out the Fails  

This part stings a bit, but it’s necessary. Reflect on the mistakes, mishaps, and WTF moments that threw you off course this year.  

• What cost you money, time, or sanity?  
• Were there clients or projects you should’ve turned down?  
• What processes slowed you down or broke under pressure?  
• Mindset Shift: These aren’t failures; they’re lessons. Every cringe-worthy moment is an opportunity to do better next year.

4. Evaluate Your Goals  

Take out that list of 2024 goals (assuming you didn’t lose it in February).  

• What did you achieve?  
• What fell short?  
• Were some goals too ambitious—or not ambitious enough?  

If you hit none of your goals, ask yourself why. Was it a lack of time, focus, or resources? Understanding the why behind the misses is critical for setting better goals in 2025.

5. Audit Your Work-Life Balance  

If you’re reading this while ignoring your family over the holidays, take note. Business growth shouldn’t come at the expense of your health, relationships, or sanity.  

• Did you overwork yourself?  
• Neglect hobbies, friends, or that gym membership you swore you’d use?  
• What boundaries do you need to set in 2025?  

Tip: Work-life balance isn’t a myth; it’s a discipline. Make time for the people and things that fuel your happiness outside of work.

6. Ask for Feedback  

Don’t just reflect solo—ask your team, customers, or mentors for their perspective on the year.  

• Team: What processes sucked? What ideas worked?  
• Customers: What do they love about working with you? Where can you improve?  
• Mentors: Are you focusing on the right things?  

Feedback can be a tough pill to swallow, but it’s often the best way to grow.

7. Set the Vision for 2025  

Now that you’ve celebrated the wins and analyzed the fails, start imagining what you want next year to look like.  

• Do you want to grow revenue, cut expenses, or expand your team?  
• Are there new markets, products, or services you want to explore?  
• How can you simplify and streamline operations?  

Tip: Save the detailed planning for January (and our next post). This week is for brainstorming and dreaming big.

Don’t Just Reflect—Take Action  

2024 may be ending, but the lessons it left behind are priceless. Use this week to celebrate, evaluate, and dream—then get ready to hit the ground running in 2025.

Want a head start? Download our free ‘2024 Business Year in Review’ worksheet to reflect on your wins, learn from your losses, and plan for an even brighter year ahead. It’s quick, simple, and designed to help you set 2025 goals that actually stick. 

Click here to grab it now!

Cheers to progress, not perfection. You’ve got this. 🍾