Listen to Steal My 2026 Planning Process on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Your player of choice
The new year is here, which means I’m back from maternity leave and diving into all things 2026 planning.
Annual planning isn’t about creating a rigid schedule or getting every detail perfect. It’s about gaining clarity so you can intentionally build a business and life that align with your priorities.
A little thoughtful planning now can save you from a lot of unnecessary stress later in the year.
In today’s episode, I’m walking you through my complete 2026 planning process.
I always begin by identifying my “big rocks.” These are the major personal and business priorities that shape the rest of my year, things like family vacations, launches, schedule changes, and coaching programs.
One of my biggest planning principles is to schedule my life before I schedule my business. That allows me to create a business that supports the life I want instead of the other way around.
Once the big picture is mapped out, I take an honest look at my capacity. I review what energized me last year, what drained me, how my caseload felt, and if my income actually supported the lifestyle I wanted.
From there, I set SMART goals and break them into smaller milestones throughout the year. Smaller checkpoints make big goals feel achievable and help maintain momentum without creating unnecessary pressure.
Your annual plan isn’t meant to predict every detail of the year ahead. It’s meant to provide direction while giving you enough flexibility to adjust as life changes.
Whether you’re growing your Instagram, building your private practice, or working toward more private-pay clients, intentional planning can help you make steady progress toward the business you want.
In this episode, Steal My 2026 Planning Process, I cover:
- How to identify your “big rocks” and build your year around your biggest priorities
- Why planning your life before your business creates more flexibility and balance
- How to honestly evaluate your capacity before setting goals
- Using the SMART framework to create goals that are realistic and measurable
- Why breaking large goals into smaller milestones leads to better long-term consistency
Resources & Links:
⭐️ Send me a DM on Instagram @businessoftherapy
⭐️ This episode is sponsored by Jane – use code: KELLY2MONTH for a 2-month grace period
⭐️ This episode is sponsored by Alma, the financially rewarding way to go in-network
⭐️ Private Practice Academy Bundle (PPA)
Related Episodes:
- Episode 24: How I Made $1,000,000 in 2024
- Episode 57: Starting, Scaling, & Breaking Through Plateaus in Your Private Practice
- Episode 69: Building a Business You’re Actually Grateful For
More about the Business of Therapy podcast:
Are you a passionate therapist that’s burnt out and ready to transition to private pay? You’re asking yourself questions like “How do I build a business?”, “How can I effectively use Instagram to market myself?” and “How can I scale a private practice?”
Welcome to the Business of Therapy podcast where we’ll answer those questions and more. You’ll find honest conversations about the realities of being a therapist, practical Instagram marketing strategies, and encouragement to help you build your own version of success.
Join your host, Kelly McKenna, and her guests as they explore topics like burnout, mindset, boundaries, marketing, and sustainable business growth.
Kelly is a licensed therapist and business coach who built her private practice through Instagram and has helped thousands of therapists successfully start and scale their own practices.
Every episode is designed to leave you with practical strategies and the confidence to take the next step toward building the private practice you want.
Be sure to follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode!