12 Planning lessons for 2026

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Are you already feeling like you’ve got a plan for 2026 or looking for some inspiration?

If it’s the latter then carry on reading because in this post and podcast episode, I’m sharing 12 lessons from the online planning day I ran recently.

As well as the key areas covered in training, You’ll hear from the pet professionals who were there on the day and what works for them.

Whether you’re all set for 2026 or thinking of the year ahead, I hope these give you a feeling of clarity, some reassurance, and maybe a few ideas to try out for yourself.

Listen in on the player link below, or you can carry on reading as a blog post.

1. People like structure – but not too much of it

Sarah Hawkins, dog trainer and owner of Barkshire Dog Training, shared how she uses monthly themes to structure her content.

She uses her themes then thinks about people she can bring in to support her, with lives, collaborations and lots more to make her content engaging and build her audience.

2. A flexible plan = more freedom (and less stress)

There are always a million ways to reach the same goal – and you don’t have to follow one strict path.

I shared a quote from Jennifer Aniston: “Don’t make plans. Make options.”

For example, if you wanted to run a faster 5k, your options might be:

Run every day

Eat more protein

Do more strength training

There are different approaches depending on your skills and strengths.

Having that wiggle room helps when life inevitably gets in the way.

3. Keep checking to see what’s working

Niki French from Pup Talk shared how she’s been refining her focus by cutting out things that weren’t working and doubling down on what actually brings in clients.

Do this regularly so you’re not a busy fool

4. Plan for Jan = positive start for 2026

January is always going to be a funny month so why not plan and get the year off to a good start rather than moan about how rubbish it is.

5. Don’t forget how amazing you are

We had so many incredible business owners in the room – like Sarah Wells, who makes gorgeous branded treat boxes for my cottage guests at Send a Dog a Bone – and yet so many doubted themselves.

Seeing people celebrate each other’s work in the chat was so lovely. Sometimes we need others to remind us that we’re doing a brilliant job.

6. Think of your content as a time capsule

Yes, content helps your visibility – but it also helps you see progress. We talked about looking back at old posts, photos, and projects, and how important it is to realise how far you’ve come.

One attendee said it felt like a time capsule, which I loved.

7. Energy is what will make a difference

You can have the perfect strategy, but if you’re burnt out or not feeling it, nothing’s going to land.

I asked people what they needed to thrive in 2026, and it wasn’t fancy tools or tech.

It was things like calm, thinking time, rest, and accountability.

8. Being visible is SCARY

We talked about the real reason many of us hesitate to post, pitch, or show up. It’s not the lack of knowledge – it’s fear.

Fear of judgement, of doing it wrong, of what others in the industry might say.

Having a room full of people say, “I feel that too,” made such a difference. You’re not on your own.

9. Focus on what matters to you

Kate Hart from The Sniffer Shop shared how she structures her year around key launches, campaigns, and awards – and that kind of clarity came from knowing what really matters in her business.

Once you get clear on your own priorities (not what you should be doing), it gets easier to make choices that tie in with your goals.

10. Stay on your own to-do list

This came from the brilliant Min Southcott who launched The Dog Nonnna this year. It’s so easy to put everyone else first, but your plans matter too.

Make space for rest, for thinking, for you. When you do, the ideas will come.

11. You don’t have to do it on your own

In the breakout rooms, people had conversations and shared their ideas, helped each other through mindset wobbles, and gave each other the pep talk we all need sometimes.

Sarah Jones of My Anxious Dog talked about the power of community in her talk about how her Dogs In Yellow Day on March 20th has grown.

She shared how this was down to creating connection – with customers, with press, and with partners. It’s a brilliant reminder that community and visibility go hand in hand.

12. Make sure you’re connected

Connection is going to be my word of the year for 2026.

This can be connection to your clients, your community, getting out and seeing people in person, whether it’s running an event or going to see your local vet.

This is my goal for 2026, starting with a Mastermind Day and the SBS conference in February and I’m looking forward to more events in 2026, so if you’d like to know more, fill out the form here.

A huge thank you to our speakers

These are the five pet business owners who generously shared their planning stories:

Sarah Hawkins – Planning to feel calm and in control (https://www.barkshiredogtraining.com/)

Min Southcott – How planning helped me launch The Dog Nonna (https://thedognonna.com/)

Kate Hart – From new business to PIF winner (https://thesniffershop.co.uk/)

Sarah Jones – How my awareness day put my business on the map (https://myanxiousdog.co.uk/)

Niki French – Focus on what matters (https://puptalk.co.uk/)

Links mentioned in this episode:

Planner Club: https://rachelspencer.co.uk/product/pet-business-planner-bundle/

Pet Business Content Planner: https://rachelspencer.co.uk/product/pet-business-content-planner/

Want support in planning 2026?

If you’d like to be part of this, here are the options.

Buy the 2026 Pet Business Content Planner.

Join the Planner Club – Quarterly planning sessions, co-working mornings, and a lovely group of supportive pet professionals. If you’ve already bought the planner, scan the QR code on your bookmark to upgrade without paying twice.

For the Planner or Planner Club, head to: www.rachelspencer.co.uk/shop