This article is created by Girlboss and Dreamers & Doers.
When we don’t pause long enough to get clear on what we actually want from our work, it’s easy to default to autopilot. And no one wants to be on autopilot.
Here’s the good news, though: A new year creates space to step back, look honestly at where our time and energy are going, and decide what truly deserves more attention. Now at the cusp of 2026, trailblazing women CEOs and business-builders share the work goals shaping their decisions in the year ahead. From refining direction and redefining growth to setting boundaries that protect both their creativity and capacity, these priorities reflect a more intentional approach to ambition—one rooted in clarity, not constant busyness.
Showing Up With Confidence and Consistency
“Now that I've completed my TEDx Talk and won an Emmy Award, I hope to go on a virtual speaking tour and finish a draft of my memoir. My plan is to spend an hour a day networking on LinkedIn and sending messages to secure speaking gigs.” – Peri Finkelstein, Founder and CEO of Team Peri Foundation
“I'm committing to building in public—sharing the messy, real journey as I navigate productizing my agency and launching my AI-powered go-to-market platform instead of waiting for things to be perfect. To make it happen, I'm treating my podcast as my accountability partner, interviewing founders who are also building in the AI era to keep me honest.” – Carly Jefferson, Founder of Uncomplicated Brands
“In 2025, I saw firsthand how good content resonates with our users and builds community, so I am committing to a more disciplined writing schedule this year. This will empower me to dive deeper and create even more. I’ll get in the zone by listening to music while I write and using the calendar tool I’ve built to keep me accountable.” – Jessica Etting, CEO and Founder of Jam Family Calendar
Finding Balance and Boundaries
“In 2026, I’m focused on scaling and expanding internationally, all while continuing to build a business that doesn’t require me to be in every room or Slack thread. We’ve brought on an incredible recruiter, we’re hiring a community manager, and I’m learning to step back from the day-to-day so I can focus on strategy, storytelling, and sustainable growth.” – Clara Ma , CEO and Founder of Ask a Chief of Staff
“To keep myself motivated, I plan on taking at least one day per week to unplug, replenishing my energy so I'm refreshed when I return to work.” – Tianna Soto, Founder and Keynote Speaker of Stories With Heart
“My resolution for the new year is to finally honor the fact that investing in my business means nothing if I'm not investing in the person running it. I'm making time for travel and self-development programs because my soul requires nourishment just as much as my company requires strategy. Every time I catch myself saying ’I'm too busy,’ I’ll put a date on the calendar to do something for myself.” – Naga Das, Founder of Alternative Coaching Methods
Seeking Deeper Purpose and Alignment
“I’ve built a career on saying yes, but this year, I’m learning that discernment is its own form of ambition. My goal is to get laser-focused on what I actually want to accomplish so I can align every yes with purpose and discipline.” – Lisa Friscia, President and Founder of Franca Consulting
“My goal is to reduce waste in a dramatic way by shifting 50 legacy merch programs from bulk-printing to print-on-demand. As part of this goal, I’m planting a tree for every merch program I shift. By the end of the year, there should be a tiny forest growing somewhere that’s way better than a pile of trade show pens.” – Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer of Go To Market
“What excites me most for next year is embracing a significant career leap that will push me outside my comfort zone. My resolution is to stay present and trust myself through the transition rather than letting anxiety overshadow the growth, using small habits like journaling and meditation to help me avoid falling into the downward spiral of anxiety and overthinking.” – Candice Ooi, Strategy & Operations Leader
“My resolution is to trust my intuition as I explore and experiment with new opportunities in the new year. I’ll zoom out and look at the long-term big picture, reminding myself that even if something doesn’t work right now, I can trust it will align at the right time.” – Julie Zhu, Marketing Strategist of Julie Zhu LLC
Finding the Fun in Work
“My resolution is to bring a little joy back to focus. Attention is a muscle, and I’m learning to train it with care instead of control. I’m using my own company’s structure to stay accountable: blocking calendar time for focused sprints and inviting others to join me.” – Molly Sonsteng, Co-Founder of Caveday
“This year, I want to be more intentional about seeking out inspiration. Working remotely makes it easy to stay heads down in my own bubble, but I know creativity thrives on connection. My goal is to put myself in more rooms (virtual or otherwise) where I can tap into a broader creative collective and to schedule creative field trips for myself to be energized by fresh perspectives.” – Deirdre Purdy, Co-Founder of Purdy Marketing Co.
“My resolution is to not do resolutions in the traditional sense. Instead, my intention is to run my business with intuition and spontaneity. The experiment is to see if more opportunities show up if I am not trying to control outcomes as much but instead moving in the direction of joy and ease.” – Routh Chadwick, Founder and Head Coach of Joie de Vivre
All individuals featured in this article are members of Dreamers & Doers, a highly curated community and PR Hype Machine™ amplifying extraordinary women entrepreneurs and leaders through authentic connections, credibility-boosting visibility, and opportunities that accelerate big dreams.
