Setting Up 2026
There’s a moment that seems to hit small business owners every year around this time. Tax season has a way of shining a bright light on our systems or the lack of them. But here’s the good news: this is also the perfect moment to reset.
Instead of scrambling reactively, you can take one intentional hour now to set yourself up for a calmer, more organized 2026.
Take One Hour to Set Up a System for 2026
This doesn’t need to be overwhelming. You’re not fixing everything today—you’re creating a structure that helps you stay on track going forward. Over the last couple of weeks, here are a few simple but powerful things I did that made a big difference:
1. Capture the Starting Line
On January 1, I took a quick picture of my mileage.
That one photo creates clarity for the entire year and removes guesswork later. Simple, done, and documented.
2. Set Up Receipt Backup Files
I created a clean digital folder structure:
• One main folder for the year
• Subfolders for each month
Now there’s a clear place to drop these images/scans weekly to get them off my camera roll or our of my email.
3. Confirm Your Bookkeeping Links
I reviewed all the connections in QuickBooks Online:
• Bank accounts
• Credit cards
• Payment processors
Confirming that everything is linked correctly now prevents missing transactions, duplicated data, and surprises later.
4. Schedule the Work (Before Life Gets Busy)
I blocked time on my calendar for:
• Monthly bookkeeping check-ins
• Reconciliations
• Reviewing financial reports
When it’s scheduled, it happens. When it’s not, it gets pushed to “later”… which turns into next tax season.
Why This Matters More Than You Think
Most bookkeeping stress doesn’t come from complexity but overwhelm of being behind. Small tasks left undone pile up quietly until tax season forces them to the surface. That’s when things feel overwhelming.
An hour spent now:
• Reduces stress later
• Improves decision-making all year
• Makes tax time faster, cleaner, and less expensive
A Gentle Reminder
You don’t need perfect books.
You need consistent systems.
If you’re feeling behind right now, you’re not alone. This is exactly the time of year when many business owners pause, reassess, and reset. If you need help getting your bookkeeping structured…book a complimentary discovery call…that’s exactly what I help small business owners do.