How I Audit My Business at Year-End (and What You Can Learn from It)
Before I plan forward, I always look back.
December isn’t just about holidays or winding down. For my clients and me, it’s one of the most important strategic months of the year. It’s where clarity starts.
Because you can’t build a strong 2026 if you don’t understand what worked, what didn’t, and where the gaps are.
My Strategy, My Story
Every December, I carve out an intentional afternoon with my laptop, a cup of coffee, and one goal: to audit my business.
Not a scary spreadsheet. Not a drawn-out process.
Just a real check-in with myself, honest, focused, and strategic.
I started doing this a few years ago after noticing that I was carrying the same stress and clutter into every new year. I’d set fresh goals, but my systems, offers, and habits were still misaligned. So it didn’t matter how ambitious my plan was, my foundation couldn’t support it.
Now, I audit every December so I can reset with intention and lead my clients from a place of clarity.
How This Helps My Clients
I’ve guided dozens of business owners through this process, and it’s one of the most freeing things they do all year.
One client came to me last December feeling burned out and unsure of what to even “fix.” Within 45 minutes of our strategy session, we uncovered that:
70% of her revenue had come from one under-promoted offer
She was spending hours each month on a content strategy that wasn’t converting
Her email list hadn’t been touched in months
By auditing what actually happened, not what she thought was happening. She got the clarity to simplify, repackage her offer, and 2x her sales by March.
This isn’t about judgment. It’s about data, patterns, and smart adjustments.
The 5-Part Year-End Audit I Use
Here’s how I break it down, and how you can do it too.
1. Goals & Growth
What goals did I set this year?
Which did I hit, and which did I miss?
What helped move the needle, and what got in the way?
2. Audience & Clients
Who did I serve best?
What kinds of clients drained my energy?
Who do I want to attract more of in 2026?
3. Marketing & Visibility
Where did my leads really come from?
What content performed well, and what didn’t?
What platform or channel didn’t return the time I invested?
4. Offers & Revenue
Which offers or services brought in the most revenue?
Are they still aligned with where I want to go?
Is there something I’m holding onto out of fear or habit?
5 . Systems & Tools
Which tools saved me time?
What’s outdated or unused?
Am I tracking leads and data effectively?
Quick Tip: Don’t Overthink This
You don’t need a complex system. I’ve had clients do this in a Google Doc, a journal, or even in a voice note. The key is honesty, not perfection.
Take each area and write a few notes. You’ll be amazed at how quickly patterns emerge.
Q&A
Q: What if I didn’t hit any of my goals?
A: That’s not failure, it’s insight. The goal now is to understand why, so you can shift strategy.
Q: I don’t track data. Can I still do this?
A: Yes. Reflecting on what felt aligned or out of sync is still valuable.
Q: What should I do after the audit?
A: Use what you learn to inform your strategy for 2026, your offers, your content, your systems, your calendar.
Let’s Audit Together
If you want to walk through this process with a guide, I’ve got you.
In one session, we’ll pinpoint the gaps, find the wins, and set you up with a focused path into the new year.
Book your private Strategy Session at kristinastubblefield.com, and walk into 2026 with strategy and structure.
