Have you ever set a goal and, before you even started, felt like it was already out of reach?
It happens more often than most entrepreneurs admit.
You set big intentions, map out plans, and yet there’s a quiet voice in the back of your mind saying, "This isn’t going to happen".
When that happens, it's typically a sign that you're carrying a vision that doesn’t fully fit anymore, or trying to move forward with team, systems, or offers that aren't able to support where you want to go.
You don't want to go into a new year carrying the weight of what's not working. You want to set yourself up for success from day 1... and that starts now, not in January.
Learning the following will help you approach vision setting and planning in ways that support both you and your team:
- How to reconnect with your bigger vision
- What to do when goals feel important but not possible
- What to do solo vs. with your team to protect the vision
- How to build the bridge between vision and results
I also unpack this in episode 251 of the Simplify to Scale Show.
Tune into Episode 251 of the Simplify to Scale Show or keep reading below.
When Your Vision Feels Heavy Instead of Exciting
As founders, we often associate new seasons (especially the start of a new year) with possibility.
But sometimes, instead of feeling inspired, you look at your goals and feel deflated.
When I began my own planning for the year ahead, I realized I was stepping into it already feeling defeated.
Despite years of being a naturally optimistic, forward-looking leader, something felt off.
When you find yourself in that space, it’s a signal to pause and ask the following:
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What’s creating that sense of heaviness?
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What feels misaligned?
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Is this a goal you still truly want, or one you’re carrying forward because you feel you should?
Often, when you feel disconnected from your goals, it isn’t because you're questioning your capability.
It’s often a sign that you need clarity.
Start with Vision Before Strategy
This is the perfect time of year to revisit your vision.
Before you jump into detailed planning, spend time in what I call visionary planning.
Visionary planning is where you allow yourself to think beyond to-do lists and tactics.
It’s where you clarify:
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What kind of business and life you actually want
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The experiences you want to have
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The people you want around you
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The impact you want to create
This isn’t about mapping the “how” yet; it’s about getting clear on the “what” and the “why.”
Only after you’ve reconnected with your vision should you start moving into strategic planning, where you translate that vision into specific goals and actions.
When you skip this step, then strategy becomes a checklist rather than a compass.
Reflect on What Feels Impossible
Once you have a clear vision, notice what feels impossible about it.
Maybe it’s a team that’s not yet ready to support that level of growth.
Maybe it’s systems that feel clunky or offers that no longer fit.
Instead of stopping at the surface, I encourage deeper reflection:
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Why doesn’t this feel achievable right now?
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What would need to shift for it to feel possible?
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Are there changes in your team, systems, or leadership that would create new momentum?
These questions often reveal both operational and personal shifts that need to happen.
The answers can illuminate where growth in the business must happen, and where growth within you as the leader must happen.
Bridge Vision and Execution with the Right Team
Once you’ve clarified your vision and identified what needs to shift, it’s time to bring in your team to help make it real.
This is where collaboration between the founder and the strategic right-hand becomes powerful.
One of the most common mistakes leaders make is jumping too quickly from vision to tactical planning.
Instead, define which space you’re in before you invite others in.
If you’re still in the vision space, stay there.
Invite your team into the energy of possibility rather than practicality.
Let them feel inspired before they start mapping out the steps.
Then, when you’re ready to plan, be intentional about transitioning into action.
Work together to determine what must be done now, in the next quarter, and throughout the year to bring that vision to life.
For founders, this might mean spending solo time doing your own visionary planning before bringing it to your right-hand person.
While I collaborate closely with my team, I always begin my visioning alone so I can hear my own voice clearly before blending it with others.
Protect Your Vision While Inviting Partnership
As you share your vision with your team, protect the energy of it.
Teams are naturally wired to think in terms of execution and how to make things real.
That’s a good thing, but only once you’ve solidified the vision itself.
Set the tone by communicating whether you’re brainstorming possibilities or mapping practical plans.
This clarity helps your team know when to stay expansive and when to get tactical.
When you protect the space for vision while inviting your team’s partnership in execution, you create a healthy rhythm between creativity and implementation.
This rhythm is what allows a business to scale with intention instead of chaos.
Turning Reflection into Forward Momentum
To bring this all together, you can do the following
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Start with Vision: Take time to step away from day-to-day operations and reconnect with what you truly want for your business and your life
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Reflect Deeply: Notice where you feel resistance or defeat and explore the root cause rather than pushing through it
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Identify What Needs to Shift: Be honest about what no longer fits (whether it’s people, systems, or strategies)
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Bring in the Right Partners: Once you’re clear on your vision, collaborate with your strategic right-hand person and team to build the bridge from possibility to execution
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Distinguish Vision from Planning: Protect your creative space and communicate clearly which mode you’re in when working with others
These steps create the foundation for aligned, achievable growth that feels motivating instead of heavy.
Your Next Step Toward Aligned Growth
If your goals have felt out of reach lately, it’s a sign that it’s time to refine your vision and design your next chapter with intention.
I will be hosting a 2026 Strategic Planning Virtual Retreat this December to help you turn your refreshed vision into clear, actionable strategic plans.
When you join SOL Collective, you’ll receive complimentary access to the retreat, plus immediate entry into this month’s AI Implementation Labs and live Q&A call.
Visit strategicopsinstitute.com/collectiveto join and reserve your retreat today.
by Crista Grasso
Crista Grasso is the go-to strategic planning expert for leading global businesses and online entrepreneurs when they want to scale. Known as the "Business Optimizer", Crista has the ability to quickly cut through noise and focus on optimizing the core things that will make the biggest impact to scale a business simply and sustainably. She specializes in helping businesses gain clarity on the most important things that will drive maximum value for their clients and maximum profits for their business. She is the creator of the Lean Out Method, 90 Day Lean Out Planner, and host of the Lean Out Your Business Podcast.
