Here's how I'm planning for 2026

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Phase 1 - Adjustment

I learned a LOT in 2025. Specifically as it relates to people.

A few things that stick out:

1. No one will ever care about “my thing” more than I will.

2. No one will ever go above the standard I set.

3. A happy mediocre team is more valuable than a toxic high performer.

These truths bring me to my evaluation on 2026 and how I am going to lead my company to advance our mission.

As CEO, I have a whole lot on my plate. All CEO’s at this stage in growth in their companies look to minimize their importance on the company by building great teams that can work autonomously.

What I have found is that the ramp up to create that high-performing team takes much more energy and patience than what I first realized. Don’t get me wrong, I was doing it, but progress wasn’t happening fast enough.

The solution:

• Evaluate my time and ruthlessly cut what doesn’t advance my goal.

• Do everything in my power to drive an independent & high performing team.

• No time to catch-up; I must act like the person I intend to be 5 years from now.

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Phase 2 - Performance

I have extremely high goals for myself and my team this year. I am CEO and owner of two companies that are in pivotal stages of growth. One is seeking 7-figures and the other is seeking 8-figures in revenue.

The clarity from the work in phase 1 is driving action that is going to move the needle for those big goals.

Here’s my Plan:

1. Build a high-performing leadership team.

2. Drive sales results through leveraged partnerships.

3. Relentlessly focus the team on the KPI’s that will get us to achieve our goals.

These goals require a lot of messaging and a lot of discipline. The only thing that is going to provide results is the consistent action that leads to improvement. To be results driven - you have to actually measure progress and maniacally block distractions.

Phase 3 - See Around Corners

For the good of my company, I have to setup my organization to deliver excellent results no matter what is thrown our way. The first 2 phases aim to accomplish that.

As CEO and the visionary of the company. I have to do my homework to understand how the services we offer are going to change over time. New innovation, market restrictions, and customer sentiment, all play a role in how I focus my money and my team.

Being a Christian business owner means, being a good steward of the resources I have been given. It’s my duty to make informed predictions and invest in quality opportunities.

For 2026, I’m placing these bets:

1. SMBs are moving away from “support” and instead wanting “progress”.

2. Disruption will happen with traditional models (real estate, recruiting) and will move to subscription solutions.

3. AI will continue to be the economic driver, but AI-readiness will be the 2026 buzz word. Most SMBs will be seeking data governance solutions.

I live by this rule:

My 2026 will be the most focused of my career. I am already obsessing over things I can cut out of my life. I didn’t come to this by accident. I see the toll it takes on a team and on an individual. Without proper guardianship, the magnetism of distraction will bankrupt your goals.

I have learned from others and matched it with my own experiences. When planning for a successful future, the past can show you how to get there, but only if you listen and execute.

I wish all of my readers a successful 2026.

Watch out for important upgrades to the newsletter, free resources, live events and more. I want to reward the people that invest their time in me as I continue to build my dream.

Until next week,

—Jared 

Text Me: 314.806.3912

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