Episode 311: Soul Setting Over Goal Setting: A Year-End Reflection for Women Entrepreneurs
When Loss Reminds You What Actually Matters
I'm writing this right after attending a funeral. And I know, I know—you're probably thinking this is going to get heavy. But stick with me here, because what happened today is something we all need heading into a new year. This isn't about goal setting—it's about soul setting for entrepreneurs who want to build a business that actually matters.
The priest shared something beautiful. When a pope passes away, there's applause. Not because anyone's happy he's gone—god, no. It's because they're applauding a life well-lived. They're saying thank you for showing up fully, for reaching for goodness, and for sharing it with the rest of us.
So as this year wraps up, I have to ask you: Do you want to stand up and applaud this year? The challenges you pushed through, what you learned about yourself, how you opened your heart, where you got hurt, and how you picked yourself back up?
This same week, I found out my Aunt Wendy passed away. Some of you met her on Episode 148 of the Game On Girlfriend podcast. That beautiful soul is gone, and honestly? Her passing, plus today's funeral, has stripped away all the bullshit so I can see clearly what actually matters.
And I need to share that with you.
Watch the full episode
Why Soul Setting for Entrepreneurs Beats Goal Setting
You're feeling it right now, aren't you? That pressure to set massive goals. Plan out your entire content calendar. Map every single launch. Hit all the milestones everyone says you're supposed to hit.
With small business confidence declining for three consecutive months, now is the time to get clear on what really matters in your business, not just what looks good on paper.
But here's the thing: Soul setting for entrepreneurs is completely different. This isn't about planning out your social media. It's not about hitting every item on your schedule. And it sure as hell isn't about crossing everything off your to-do list.
This is about deeply connecting with you. There is no one else but you.
Listen, we humans have this crazy deep need to belong. It's literally in our DNA. But you know what that's taught us? To shrink. To hide. To give up our own values just to make other people comfortable.
Ugh. That ends now.
This year-end moment? It's permission to finally ask: What really matters to ME?
Do you want to be known as someone who loved deeply? Someone who actually made a difference? Maybe you want to leave people in a better mood than when you found them. Or change just one person's life in a meaningful way.
These are the questions we get to ask ourselves right now.
Six Soul Setting Questions That Will Change Your Whole Year
Before this year ends, I want you to sit with these questions. Bookmark this post. Come back to it. Journal on these bad boys. These are your soul setting questions—designed to help you build a year that actually matters to you, not what Instagram says should matter.
Question 1: What Patterns Are You Repeating?
Look at how this year has felt. Really felt. If you use that as your foundation for next year, what patterns are you going to keep repeating?
Notice which ones you want to release and which ones you want to double down on. Maybe you set incredible boundaries this year. Or you finally got consistent with outreach. Maybe you took way better care of your body or hit revenue numbers you've never seen before.
What patterns created those wins? And which ones kept you stuck that you're ready to let go of?
This is the foundation of soul setting for entrepreneurs—understanding what patterns serve you.
Question 2: What Are Your Natural Rhythms?
Right now, I'm in a loss rhythm. It's heavy, and it needs space. But I also know fall gives me massive energy spurts. August? I want to slow way down. Those are MY rhythms.
As you're looking at next year, think about the rhythms that naturally happen in your life. Maybe someone's graduating. You might have an aging parent who needs more attention. There could be a big life event coming up.
"You want to look at the rhythms that are coming up in your life and see what you need to do to make sure your business revolves around those rhythms and not the other way around."
When you're planning what to create, factor in what's actually happening in your life. Let your business follow your natural flow instead of forcing yourself into some cookie-cutter schedule that exhausts you.
This is soul setting in action—building your business around your real life.
Question 3: If You Weren't Trying to Keep Up, What Would You Create?
Think about how much time you spend scrolling, comparing yourself to others. People behind you on the path. People miles ahead of you. We all do it way more than we want to admit.
Looking at people behind us makes us feel better sometimes. "Oh yeah, I remember that phase. I'm past that now." But looking at people ahead? That can make us spiral. "I'll never get there. Why is it so easy for them? How did they do that so fast?"
Stop. Just stop looking at what everyone else is doing. Check in with YOU. What would you actually create if comparison wasn't sitting on your shoulder whispering lies?
Soul setting means creating from your authentic vision, not comparison.
Question 4: Where Did Your Business Excel But Feel Completely Out of Alignment?
Ooh, this one's big. We jump into January thinking we're ready without asking if what "worked" last year actually felt good.
Maybe something brought in money or clients, but it felt off. It didn't connect to your mission. It didn't light you up. Hell, maybe it didn't even deliver the results you promised your clients.
Look at what's been "working" and ask yourself: What do I need to change so this actually feels aligned with who I am? Because money without alignment is just fancy burnout.
Question 5: What Do You Want to Feel More Often Next Year?
Think back to the best moments this year. The ones that made you feel alive. What were you doing? Who were you with? What made it so damn good?
Why did you love it so much? What specifically did you enjoy about it? How can you create that feeling more often? Soul setting isn't about productivity—it's about pleasure, joy, and ease.
Question 6: What Are You NOT Carrying Into Next Year?
It's so freaking easy to just keep going. Tuesday turns into Wednesday. Months disappear. That's how you end up living a life you barely remember.
Your work, my work, it touches people. People see it. You might put a smile on someone's face that they didn't even know they needed.
You put smiles on faces that people didn't know they needed. You solve problems that keep someone up at night. You're the person who helps people finally shift to something big in their business or life.
That's powerful stuff. When you reconnect with that? It stops being "just Tuesday." It becomes intentional. Meaningful. Yours.
Soul Setting: Building a Business Around Who You Actually Are
Your business will only support the life you love if it's built around who you really are. Not who you think you should be. Not like that person you follow who seems to have it all figured out. But YOU.
There's only one you. Which means there's only one business like yours. We all bring something different. Our talents are completely unique, shaped by everything we've experienced.
That's what soul setting for entrepreneurs is all about—building from who you really are.
You weren't given your gifts so you could give them away for free while hating your job. You're not here to suffer. You're here to give life. Support people. Fill yourself up first.
But you can only do that when you actually know who you are.
Boundaries and Love Work Together
Some of you know I started a new relationship this year. And what I've learned while opening my heart again is how boundaries and love actually support each other.
Coming home to myself while opening up to more love? That's been one of the most expansive things I've ever experienced. Mine happens to be about romantic love, but think about this in your business. With your kids. Your team. Former colleagues. Extended family.
Research shows that clear boundaries improve mental health and relationships. And as entrepreneurs? We need this even more. Clear boundaries don't limit us—they give us the capacity to show up fully.
The more clear you are on your boundaries, the more capacity you have to love, the more capacity you have to show up.
Are you clear on your boundaries AND clear on who you want to be in loving relationships? This is soul setting for entrepreneurs—knowing those two things aren't opposites. They hold each other up.
If you're reading this right now, there's a reason. You're someone who wants to make a real difference. The universe, the algorithm, whatever you believe—it got this in front of you so you could be all of yourself.
Soul Setting Means Choosing Presence Over Performance
Throughout next year, I want you to choose presence over performance. That's soul setting for entrepreneurs in practice. Be who you are. Let the business follow that. That's how you build something you'll actually love running.
This next year can look completely different from anything you've done before. Not because you hustled harder. Not because you copied someone else's strategy. But because you finally chose yourself.
Journaling has been proven to reduce stress and increase clarity—which is exactly what these soul setting questions will do for you. This isn't just reflection; it's rewiring how you approach your business and life.
This week, pick one morning where you don't grab your phone. Don't rush to emails. Instead, make your favorite coffee or tea, sit somewhere comfortable, pick one question from this post, and just write.
Breathe. Ask yourself deep questions now—don't wait until January.
Think about how much more present you'll be with your family, friends, and clients when you've actually nurtured yourself first. When you've asked questions that move your life forward and bring you closer to your own heart.
What Grief Teaches Us About Clarity
This time of year is perfect for soul setting—letting grief, loss, or even just honest reflection strip away everything that doesn't matter.
Sometimes we get crystal clear through contrast. We see exactly what we don't want, and suddenly what we DO want rises right to the top. Grief does that—it shows us what's essential by removing what isn't.
A year from now, I want you looking back on the year you're about to start, feeling so proud of what you were intentional about.
What will that look like? What will you have done? Who will you have connected with? How will your conversations feel? Your body? Your home? How will you love the people in your life?
Soul setting for entrepreneurs means asking these deeper questions—the ones that actually shape a life worth living.
Imagine the standing ovation at the end of your life for everyone that you loved as they honor you in living a life well-lived.
About Sarah Walton
Sarah Walton is a business coach, podcast host, and mentor who helps women entrepreneurs build businesses they love. She's the creator of the Abundance Academy, Effortless Sales, and the Game On Girlfriend® podcast. Sarah's mission is to put more money in the hands of more women while teaching authentic, heart-centered business strategies.
More Episodes You'll Love
If this soul setting approach resonated with you, check out these past episodes:
Episode 148 - How and When to Use Astrology with Wendy Cicchetti - My beautiful Aunt Wendy talks about finding your life purpose, following joy, and trusting those nudges when making big decisions.
Episode 145 - Coach Yourself Through Hard Times - Learn practical tools to navigate challenges and coach yourself through difficult seasons without losing your center or your business momentum.
Let's Build Your Best Year Yet
I've opened up two year-end planning sessions where we'll reconnect you with your soul's work. So you can live next year from your heart—not from panic, burnout, or hustle.
If you felt that pull reading this—if you want 90 minutes to explore your soul's work with someone who actually gets it—book one of these two remaining year-end planning sessions here.
Or if you're ready to talk about working together in your business, schedule a free call with me here. Let's talk about what you're building and how I can support you.
It's been such an honor serving you through this podcast all year. I cannot wait to see what we all create in the year ahead.
Be true to yourself. Choose presence. Build something that matters.
Binge More Game On Girlfriend™ Podcast Episodes
Something Just for You
Freedom in your business is here. Make revenue that allows you to exhale. Grab my free Freedom Calculator below, and know exactly how much your business needs to make so you can be FREE.
Thanks for subscribing! Check your email for further instructions.