Loud Conversations About Sales, Edition No. 4
Real Talk for Sales Professionals
Reflections + Goals
Yesterday, we did a very cool exercise at the office as part of a class we’re taking together. The focus was reflecting on 2025 to gain clarity and intentionally set goals for 2026.
Like many of you, I had already started goal-setting for 2026. But I really loved the structure of this exercise, and I wanted to share it for anyone who hasn’t started yet—or who has struggled to define their goals clearly.
The premise is simple:
How do I reflect on 2025 in a way that helps me move forward into 2026?
Step One: Reflect on 2025
(Order matters.)
Ask yourself the following questions:
- What was my biggest business accomplishment in 2025—and why?
- What was my biggest personal accomplishment in 2025—and why?
- What was my biggest business disappointment in 2025—and why?
- What was my biggest personal disappointment in 2025—and why?
- What lessons did I learn in 2025?
- What am I most grateful for from 2025?
Step Two: Shift Into Goal-Setting for 2026
(Again, order matters.)
Now, using your reflections, ask yourself:
- What are my key business goals for 2026?
- What are my key personal goals for 2026?
- What obstacles might get in the way of my business goals in 2026?
- What obstacles might get in the way of my personal goals in 2026?
- What support do I need to achieve my business goals in 2026?
- What support do I need to achieve my personal goals in 2026?
- What action commitments will I make to achieve my business goals in 2026?
- What action commitments will I make to achieve my personal goals in 2026?
I found this exercise to be very impactful. Even though I already had my goals set, writing them down with intention gave me greater clarity and focus on how I plan to achieve them.
As the saying goes:
“Wisdom only comes from evaluated experience.”
Until the next loud conversation—let’s keep it real.
❤️ J
