Hitting the Reset Button: Starting 2026 with Clarity and Confidence

A new year often brings pressure—to set big goals, make major changes, and have a clear plan right away. But for many business owners, a true reset doesn’t come from doing more. It comes from stepping back and being intentional.

A meaningful reset might start with a few simple questions:

• What’s working well in my business?
• Where do I feel stuck or stretched too thin?
• What support would help me move forward with more confidence?

Resetting doesn’t mean starting over. It might mean adjusting pricing, strengthening cash-flow habits, clarifying your audience, or finally asking for help instead of trying to do everything alone.

At the Women’s Business Center, we see confidence grow through knowledge, planning, and support. Small, thoughtful changes—made with the right guidance—can create momentum that lasts well beyond the start of the year.

As you move into 2026, give yourself permission to reset with clarity, compassion, and purpose. And remember, you don’t have to do it alone.

Further Reading for Resetting with Clarity & Confidence

Habits & Behavior Change

• Atomic Habits by James Clear — A practical roadmap for building better habits and breaking unhelpful ones.
• Better Than Before by Gretchen Rubin — Explores how different personality types respond to habits and how to make change stick.
• The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg — A classic look at how habits form and how they shape personal and organizational life.
• Mini Habits by Stephen Guise — A simple approach to change through tiny, achievable steps.

Goal Setting & Productivity

• Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown — Focus on what truly matters and eliminate what doesn’t.
• The 12 Week Year by Brian P. Moran & Michael Lennington — A tactical approach to making every 12 weeks like a year for better results.
• Finish What You Start by Peter Hollins — Strategies for follow-through and overcoming inertia.

Mindset & Resilience (Female Authors)

• Dare to Lead by Brené Brown — Insightful guidance on cultivating courage, clarity, and vulnerability as leadership skills.
• Rising Strong by Brené Brown — A companion to Dare to Lead focused on the process of getting back up after setbacks.
• Untamed by Glennon Doyle — A candid, empowering memoir about listening to your inner voice and living with intention.
• The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown — A wholehearted guide to letting go of who you think you’re supposed to be.
• You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero — A bold, fun guide to creating the life you want (great for mindset shifts and confidence building).

Creativity, Work & Life Integration (Female Authors)

• Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert — Encouragement to live a creative life uninhibited by fear.
• Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg — Insights on women and leadership through practical advice and personal stories.
• Playing Big by Tara Mohr — Focuses on how women can step into their potential and lead with confidence.

Financial & Business Reset Resources

• Profit First by Mike Michalowicz — A simple cash-flow system for business owners (great to pair with mindset reading).
• Nice Girls Don’t Get Rich by Lois P. Frankel — Financial lessons tailored to women who want to build wealth with confidence.
• Women & Money by Suze Orman — A feminist, practical guide to understanding and taking control of your financial world.

Not Sure Where to Begin? Try These Reads

If the idea of resetting your business feels exciting and a little overwhelming, you’re not alone. Here are some books that readers have found helpful for building habits, shifting mindset, strengthening resilience, and gaining clarity for what’s next:

Atomic Habits — James Clear
Better Than Before — Gretchen Rubin
Dare to Lead & Rising Strong — Brené Brown
Untamed — Glennon Doyle
Playing Big — Tara Mohr
Nice Girls Don’t Get Rich — Lois P. Frankel

Community Connections

Women’s Business Organizations That Support Growth and Connection

Running a business can feel isolating at times—but it doesn’t have to be. Connecting with other women who understand the challenges and rewards of business ownership can be one of the most valuable resources available.

Here are a few organizations and networks that support women through education, connection, and shared experience:

• National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO)
  A national organization offering education, advocacy, and peer connection for women business owners.
• SCORE
  Provides free mentoring, workshops, and resources—many led by experienced women professionals.
• Local Chambers of Commerce
  Chambers offer opportunities to build local connections, increase visibility, and engage with the broader business community.
• Industry-Specific Women’s Networks
  Many industries offer women-led groups focused on shared challenges and professional development.