The #1 Thing That Matters More Than Strategy in 2026
Oct 30, 2025
Every fall, I sit down with my laptop, a chai tea, and at least fifteen open tabs, ready to plan for the new year. The spreadsheets, the sticky notes, the big dreams — it’s my happy place.
But when I looked back at last year’s beautifully color-coded plans, I had to admit something: not everything on that list made it off the paper.
And when I really looked at why, it wasn’t because my strategy was wrong. It wasn’t the tools. It wasn’t the content calendar.
The biggest difference between what worked in 2025 and what didn’t was simple:
It wasn’t the plan. It was the people.
The structure.
The support.
The accountability that helped me keep going when life and business got messy.
Because the truth is, the secret to hitting your 2026 goals has nothing to do with a new funnel or another productivity hack.
It’s about who’s walking beside you while you do it.
Part 1: The Myth of Strategy
Let’s be honest — if you’re here, you don’t need more information.
You’ve taken the courses.
You’ve downloaded the templates.
You’ve watched the webinars and joined the challenges.
You already know what to do.
But here’s the catch:
Information doesn’t create momentum.
Implementation does.
And that’s where so many entrepreneurs get stuck.
We think, “If I just had the perfect launch plan, or if my marketing was clearer, everything would fall into place.”
But most businesses don’t stall because of bad ideas — they stall because we try to build them in isolation.
This year, in my own mastermind and in conversations with clients inside my programs, I’ve seen the same theme over and over again:
Everyone’s tired of DIY.
They don’t want more information.
They want integration.
They want someone to say:
“Here’s the plan. Let’s do it together.”
And that shift — from isolation to collaboration — changes everything.
Part 2: What We Invested in This Year
Last week, I shared how we simplified our team to focus only on income-producing activities. But what does that actually look like behind the scenes?
It means we spend time on what really drives results — following up with clients, improving systems, and refining programs that directly serve our community.
Because let’s face it: the business world changes daily. You need to stay nimble, not overloaded.
But here’s the part I haven’t shared — this year, I made some of the biggest investments of my career.
And not in new software or tech.
In people.
I hired help with tax strategy — because I didn’t want to guess my way through another financial year.
I brought in an ads strategist (that episode is coming soon!).
I hired experts for funnels, AI systems, and backend automation.
I joined a mastermind to have real conversations and accountability.
And it changed everything.
Because I realized — I don’t have to do it all.
I needed people who were experts in their lane so I could stay in mine.
People who could help me build sustainable systems while I focused on the vision.
People who could help me execute my strategy — just like I help my clients do with theirs.
But maybe most importantly, I needed people I could talk to.
To ask questions.
To share wins and frustrations with.
Because sometimes, what keeps you moving isn’t a better plan — it’s simply knowing you’re not alone.
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Part 3: The Real Secret — Community + Accountability
At our most recent retreat, one of the women in the room said something that stopped me in my tracks:
“I got more done in three days here than I have in fifteen years. I finally feel like I have a plan that’s sustainable.”
That’s it. That’s the secret.
She didn’t say she learned more.
She said she moved forward.
And that’s what happens when you pair strategy with support.
You don’t need another mastermind where you collect ideas.
You need a space that helps you implement them.
You don’t need another course that tells you what to do.
You need a system that helps you follow through.
That’s why I built The Collective Co-Op — a program designed for women who are done with hustle and ready for high-touch support.
It’s not another “learn it yourself” container.
It’s strategy + implementation.
Vision + structure.
And accountability baked in from day one.
We structure it in seasons — so you can work deeply for a few months, then rest, reflect, and reset.
It’s the same rhythm we build our lives around — and it’s the key to sustainable success.
Because when you blend community, accountability, and clarity, you create unstoppable momentum.
Part 4: How to Shift From Overwhelm to Momentum (Starting This Week)
If you’re nodding along thinking, “That’s me — I’m tired of doing it alone,” here are three tangible steps you can take this week to start shifting out of strategy overwhelm and into consistent action.
1. Audit Your Support System
Take five minutes and make a list of the people you lean on for business advice and accountability.
If your list starts and ends with you, that’s your sign.
You don’t need to do it alone.
You need mentors, peers, or experts who will help you move faster, stay accountable, and see what you can’t from the inside.
Because clarity without support always leads to burnout.
2. Focus Only on Income-Producing Activities
Every entrepreneur says they’re “too busy.” But are you busy doing the right things?
Ask yourself:
What’s actually moving the needle in my business?
For us, the biggest wins came from:
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Consistent client follow-ups
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Improving member experience
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Building systems that save time and increase results
You don’t need to do more — you need to do more of what matters.
Simplify your priorities, and your profits will follow.
3. Build Your Plan Around People, Not Platforms
Before you make your next big decision — a launch, a hire, or a new offer — ask yourself:
“Who do I have to help me sustain this?”
You can have the best business idea in the world, but if you’re the only one running it, it’s not sustainable.
The right people — whether they’re team members, mentors, or community partners — will multiply your momentum.
Your 2026 goals won’t happen because you planned harder.
They’ll happen because you built stronger support around your plans.
Part 5: An Invitation — The Collective Co-Op Open House
If you’re ready to see what this kind of support actually looks like, I want to invite you to the Collective Co-Op Open House.
It’s an honest, behind-the-scenes look at how we plan, how we support our members, and how we help women build businesses that fit their real lives.
You’ll see:
- How we structure each season for momentum and rest
- The systems we use to simplify scaling
- Real stories from women who’ve built sustainable success — without doing it alone
No pressure. No pitch decks. Just clarity and connection.
Because you don’t need another planner or productivity hack.
You need a strategy that fits your life — and a community that holds you accountable while you live it.
Final Takeaway: Your Goals Don’t Need More Strategy — They Need Support
Let’s be clear: you don’t need to start from scratch next year. You don’t need to overhaul your plan or chase another shiny object.
You just need to make one shift:
Stop trying to build your business alone.
Because your 2026 goals won’t happen from better planning — they’ll happen from better partnership.
You need people who will check in, call you out, and cheer you on.
People who will remind you why you started.
And people who will help you finish what you planned.
So, as you open your planner and dream about what’s next, remember this:
Success isn’t built in isolation. It’s built in community.
Let’s make sure 2026 isn’t just beautifully planned — it’s beautifully supported.
About the author
Holly Haynes is a female business coach and business strategist who loves a good plan and flow chart. She is crazy passionate about teaching women like you how to build your dream job and scale to 6-figures without sacrificing your weekends or priorities.
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