Whether it's the first year of the business or the 15th, there are always new and unique challenges to face that the 9-5 worker doesn't. From cash flow management to deciding if and when you hire your first employeethe day to day of starting and growing a business is stressful.

It takes flexibility and solid decision-making to stay on track, though one of the most common mistakes is creating a plan. While there should be enough adaptability to change, a strong foundation is necessary to succeed.

THE start the new year strong and reset expectations, here are five things to do now and one thing to avoid to achieve the goals you've set for the coming months.

1. Reflect and reevaluate

Going all out in the first few months of the year sounds like a good idea. However, it is necessary to first assess where you are headed.

• Take time to reflect on what worked (and what didn't) from last year and what steps you'd like to change to improve.
• Reevaluate your areas of focus and decide if it's time to scale (up or down) your business and create smaller milestones that build on your larger goals.
• Score smaller achievements to keep you going even when there are setbacks.
• Create goals that are not only financially motivated. For example, how do you want to grow your brand? Who do you want to connect with? Are there other ways to grow your audience?

Related: Setting measurable goals is critical to your strategic plan (and to your success). Here's why.

2. Create a schedule

An important part of entrepreneurship is being disciplined. If this is an area where you have struggled in the past, make a schedule that works for you.

While some like an early start to the day, others don't reach their most productive hours until late in the morning. As the boss of your own life, it's up to you to decide the best path without feeling like you have to mirror other people's actions.

• Think about what hours of the day you feel most energetic and schedule your most challenging tasks during this time. Avoid filling every hour of the day with a meeting or work deadline. This can quickly lead to burnout, which is all too common among entrepreneurs who take on too much.
• Make time in your calendar for vacations—whether it's for a walk outside, a coffee with a friend, or even 10 minutes for meditation—prioritize this time as much as any work.
• Work in blocks of time to avoid distractions. Constantly checking email, scrolling through social media, and stopping for meetings can disrupt the rhythm you have when you set actual productivity hours.

3. Set a budget

Money management is one of the biggest struggles for entrepreneurs, especially in the early years when they are trying to make a profit. Understanding where your money is being spent is just as important as knowing where your money is coming from.

A good place to start is to simply create two columns in a spreadsheet, one for monthly income and one for monthly expenses, and identify the difference between the two.

• Set a general budget of how much income you're anticipating for the month, as well as roughly how much you expect to spend.
• Review how much you're spending on your business and identify areas where you can cut back. If this is the year you plan to grow, budget accordingly. Additional expenses for your business may mean a reduction in personal expenses in the short term.
• Hire an accountant. As your business grows, keeping up with finances, taxes, payroll, etc. it can become overwhelming. Ease financial stress by hiring a trusted professional who keeps everything up to date and organized.

4. Explore new opportunities

As an entrepreneur, the way of growth it is a constant state. However, make sure you are exploring opportunities to engage in fulfilling work.

• Explore new areas of business. Consider whether expanding your service or product offering would be helpful to stay competitive in the market.
• Add (or sunset) customers. For service-based entrepreneurs, quality of customers trumps quantity. The customers you start your business with may no longer be a good fit for the services you currently offer, and vice versa.

Related: 70 small business ideas to start in 2025

5. Reconnect to your network

While connecting online is fast and convenient, meeting in person is an advantage that can benefit your work and provide the camaraderie you may miss from working in an office.

• Commit to inviting one person in your network per month. If once a month isn't possible, switch to once a quarter – the goal is to create accountability for the connection.

The only thing to avoid is: Don't get stuck in a hole. Once you get into the rut of managing your business, it can be easy to stay there, meaning you miss out on opportunities for growth and new success.

Stay aware and be honest about whether you are consistent or stagnant. Always make sure you are aligned with where you want to be, which will change over time.

The simplicity of a “to do” list is often the reminder needed to review the plan at the beginning of the year and reset it if necessary. What would you add to yours?