The questions I ask before planning anything new
This time of year has always been important to me.
Not because of resolutions or reinvention, but because it offers a natural pause. A chance to slow down, look back, and take stock before deciding what comes next.
Before I plan anything new, I always reflect on the year that’s just passed.
- What worked.
- What didn’t.
- What shaped me more than I expected.
This habit (pausing before planning) has become something I rely on, both personally and in business. It brings clarity. And clarity makes everything simpler.
A year that shaped us
The past year has been a significant one for me, and for Homegrown Primal.
A few years ago, Marty and I moved to Auckland to support our ageing parents. During that time, we leaned deeply into family life, strengthening friendships, spending more time grandparenting, and learning about grief, both our own and others’.
It wasn’t always easy. But it was meaningful. And it shaped how we think about the future.
This past year also brought growth and change. We moved towns, created a new head office, and welcomed a new team member into Homegrown Primal.
Big steps, taken thoughtfully.
What I’ve learned is this: without taking time to pause, it’s easy to drift. When you slow down and reflect honestly on where you are, you’re far more likely to move forward with purpose.
Why planning starts with looking back
I don’t believe planning should start with goals.
It should start with understanding.
- Understanding what the year actually asked of you.
- What it revealed about your limits.
- What it showed you about what matters, and what doesn’t.
Reflection helps cut through noise. It brings you back to what’s real.
Before I plan the year ahead, I ask myself a few simple questions. They’re not complicated, but they’re grounding, and they’ve shaped how I approach life and business year after year.
The questions I ask before planning the year ahead:
Where am I right now?
Not where I hoped I’d be, where I actually am. The wins, the challenges, the reality of the past year.
What did this year teach me?
About my boundaries, my relationships, and how I move through the world.
What am I proud of?
The things I did that truly mattered, even if they weren’t visible or celebrated.
What am I ready to let go of?
Habits, beliefs, or ways of operating that no longer serve me.
Who am I becoming?
What qualities do I want to nurture more deliberately?
What am I grateful for?
Often the clearest signal of what’s worth protecting as you move forward.
These questions don’t give you a rigid plan. They give you clarity, and clarity makes planning simpler and more intentional.
How I apply this approach to business
I approach business planning the same way.
Before we plan anything at Homegrown Primal, we take time to look at:
- Where we are right now.
- What we’ve built.
- What we’ve learned.
- How we can grow without losing what matters.
There’s always space for brainstorming next steps, and for learning. Each year, I choose something new to study. Not to rush ahead, but to deepen my understanding of the world around me.
What I’ve noticed over time is this: when I grow with clarity and enjoyment, the business tends to grow that way too.
Reflection is better when it’s shared
This exercise is one I love doing with a partner or a friend. Talking things through, hearing another perspective, and slowing down together often brings insights you wouldn’t reach on your own.
It doesn’t need to be complicated.
It just needs honesty and time.
As we move into the year ahead, my encouragement is simple:
Pause first.
Look back before you move forward.
Thank you for being part of the Homegrown Primal tribe. We’re grateful you’re here, walking this path with us.
