What to Stop, Start & Continue in 2026: A Strategic CEO Planning Framework

Every December, successful CEOs face the same challenge: how to plan for the new year without adding more chaos to an already full plate.

The problem isn't ambition. The problem is that most business planning frameworks focus exclusively on addition—more goals, more projects, more revenue targets—without considering what needs to be removed first.

That's where the Stop, Start, Continue framework changes everything.

This simple three-part strategic planning method helps you evaluate your business decisions with clarity, eliminate what's holding you back, and double down on what's already working. By the time you finish reading this, you'll have a practical roadmap for making 2026 your most intentional year yet.

Why Traditional Goal Setting Fails CEOs

Before we dive into the framework, let's address why most New Year planning falls short.

Traditional goal setting teaches us to dream bigger, aim higher, and add more to our vision boards. But here's what that approach misses: your capacity is finite.

Every time you say yes to something new without clearing space for it, you're setting yourself up for overwhelm. You're diluting your focus, spreading your energy thin, and ultimately making it harder to achieve anything meaningful.

The most effective business leaders understand that success isn't about doing everything—it's about doing the right things with intention and focus.

The Stop, Start, Continue Framework Explained

The Stop, Start, Continue framework is a strategic evaluation tool that asks three critical questions:

What should I stop doing? (Elimination)

What should I start doing? (Innovation)

What should I continue doing? (Amplification)

This framework works because it forces you to audit your current reality before planning your future. You're not just stacking new goals on top of old habits—you're making strategic choices about where your energy goes.

The Power of Strategic Subtraction

Let's start with the hardest part: deciding what to stop.

Most entrepreneurs struggle with this because we've been conditioned to believe that quitting equals failure. But strategic elimination isn't failure—it's focused leadership.

What CEOs Should Consider Stopping in 2026:

Unprofitable products or services that drain resources without delivering returns. Just because you've always offered something doesn't mean you should continue.

Marketing channels that don't convert. If you're spending hours on a social media platform that generates zero clients, that's not strategy—that's sunk cost fallacy.

One-sided partnerships where you're giving significantly more than you're receiving. Your time and expertise are valuable. Protect them.

Meetings that could be emails. Audit your calendar ruthlessly. What recurring meetings could be eliminated or condensed?

Saying yes to every opportunity. Shiny object syndrome will destroy your momentum faster than any external competition.

On a personal level, consider stopping micromanagement, constant email checking, comparison to competitors, and glorifying burnout as a badge of honor.

The question to ask yourself: What's draining my energy without giving adequate returns?

Starting With Strategic Intention

Now for the exciting part: what to start in 2026.

But here's the key—you're not starting things randomly. You're starting things that align with where you're going and the space you just created by eliminating what wasn't working.

Strategic Starts for Business Growth:

That project you've been postponing. The rebrand. The new offer. The pivot. What would you launch if you knew you couldn't fail?

Investment in support systems. Hiring team members, bringing on coaches, or implementing automation tools that multiply your capacity.

Community building over audience building. Moving beyond vanity metrics to create genuine connections with customers and peers.

Uncomfortable conversations earlier. Addressing problems immediately instead of letting them fester for months.

Tracking metrics that matter. Not just follower counts, but revenue, profit margins, customer lifetime value, and conversion rates.

From a leadership perspective, consider starting a morning routine that centers you, celebrating wins publicly, asking for help without shame, setting firm boundaries with clients, and taking actual vacation days.

The question to ask: What would have the biggest positive impact if I committed to it right now?

Continuing and Amplifying What Works

This is the most overlooked step in business planning, yet it might be the most important.

We spend so much energy fixing problems that we forget to protect and amplify what's already generating results. Your existing successes are competitive advantages—they deserve strategic attention.

What Successful CEOs Continue and Expand:

Revenue streams that flow naturally. If something's working, do more of it. Get better at it. Scale it.

Marketing that converts consistently. Double down on the channels bringing real clients, not the ones you think should work.

Team processes that run smoothly. Document them. Protect them. Replicate them in other areas.

Client relationships that energize you. Build your business around more people like your best clients.

Habits that keep you grounded. Your morning routine, weekly planning sessions, or therapy appointments aren't luxuries—they're infrastructure.

For everything on your Continue list, ask this amplification question: How can I do more of this? How can I make it even better?

How to Create Your Stop, Start, Continue Plan for 2026

Ready to build your own strategic framework? Here's your step-by-step process.

Step 1: Conduct an Honest Audit

Block 60 minutes on your calendar. No distractions. No multitasking.

Review your current business operations, client roster, revenue streams, marketing efforts, and daily habits. What's working? What's not? What's somewhere in between?

Step 2: Create Your Stop List

Write down 3-5 things you're committing to stop in 2026. Be specific.

Not "stop overworking" but "stop checking email after 7 PM on weekdays." Not "stop bad partnerships" but "end the consulting relationship with Client X by January 15."

Specificity creates accountability.

Step 3: Build Your Start List

List 3-5 things you're starting in 2026. Again, be concrete.

Not "start marketing more" but "start publishing weekly LinkedIn articles every Tuesday." Not "start delegating" but "hire a virtual assistant by January 31 to handle all calendar management and email filtering."

Step 4: Identify Your Continue List

Write down 3-5 things that are working that you're protecting and amplifying.

Include why you're continuing them. "Continue monthly team lunches because they build culture and connection." This reinforces the value and makes you less likely to let them slip when you get busy.

Step 5: Share and Create Accountability

Don't keep this to yourself. Share your list with a business partner, accountability group, or mentor.

When you voice your intentions publicly, you're significantly more likely to follow through.

Step 6: Review Quarterly

This isn't a "set it and forget it" exercise. Schedule quarterly reviews to evaluate what's working and adjust as needed.

Your Stop, Start, Continue list should evolve as your business and circumstances change.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Making your lists too vague. "Work less" isn't actionable. "Leave the office by 6 PM" is.

Mistake 2: Creating lists that are too long. Focus beats overwhelm every time. Start with 3-5 items per category.

Mistake 3: Skipping the Continue list. Protecting what works is just as important as starting something new.

Mistake 4: Not actually stopping things. Creating a Stop list means nothing if you keep doing everything anyway. Commit to elimination.

Mistake 5: Treating this as a one-time exercise. Revisit your framework quarterly to stay aligned with your evolving business reality.

Why This Framework Works for CEOs

The Stop, Start, Continue framework succeeds where traditional goal setting fails because it acknowledges a fundamental truth: sustainable success requires both addition and subtraction.

You can't scale by simply adding more. Eventually, you hit capacity—mental, emotional, physical, or operational. Strategic growth means making space for what matters by eliminating what doesn't.

This framework also works because it's flexible. Whether you're a solopreneur, leading a small team, or running a larger organization, the principles apply. The specific items on your lists will differ, but the process remains the same.

Most importantly, this approach creates clarity. When you know exactly what you're stopping, starting, and continuing, decision-making becomes easier. Opportunities that don't align with your framework are easier to decline. Priorities become obvious. Focus replaces scattered energy.

Your 2026 Starts Now

The CEOs who thrive don't just work harder—they work more strategically. They understand that what you choose not to do is just as important as what you choose to pursue.

Before you set ambitious revenue goals or plan your Q1 launch strategy, take time to complete this framework. Ask yourself what needs to stop, what you're finally ready to start, and what's working so well you need to protect it.

2026 isn't about doing more. It's about doing what matters with intention, focus, and strategic clarity.

That's what separates busy CEOs from successful ones.

Ready to dive deeper into this framework? Listen to the full episode of That Big CEO Energy podcast where we break down exactly how to implement Stop, Start, Continue planning in your business. [Link to episode]

What's one thing you're committing to stop in 2026? Share in the comments below or connect with us on Instagram @_kalandco using #BigCEOEnergy2026.