Welcome to 2026!

Happy New Year, and let’s make it the best one yet by putting into place plans that stretch us but are achievable - set to a 90-day rhythm with action steps.

How are your plans going for the new financial year?

Forget New Year Resolutions - build yourself a real plan.

And here’s how we do it.

To do this, we use the prioritisation method using a jar analogy when planning out our year in our office calendar.

Rocks are your biggest, most important goals (health, family, key projects); Pebbles are secondary tasks (work, regular meetings); and Sand is the trivial busywork (emails, distractions).

The key is to put the rocks in the jar first ie your 2026 calendar or diary (fitness classes, family events, birthday celebrations, work conferences, holidays, etc. all go in the calendar before anything else) then pebbles (team member meetings, block time for customer appointments, scheduled time for work, etc) then sand (email responses, coffee breaks, reading articles etc) to ensure you make time for what truly matters before the small stuff fills all your available time, leading to a more balanced and productive life.

How to Apply the Method

1. Identify Your Rocks (The Essentials): Determine your non-negotiable, high-impact goals for the period (quarter, year).

   • Examples: Career goals (launch a product), personal goals (exercise daily), relationship goals (weekly family dinner).

2. Identify Your Pebbles (Important Tasks): List important but less critical tasks that support your rocks.

   • Examples: Training sessions, important meetings, specific work projects that aren't the main rock.

3. Identify Your Sand (The Rest): Note the small, immediate tasks and distractions.

   • Examples: Emails, quick calls, minor administrative tasks, and social media.

4. Fill Your Jar in Order:

   • Put your Rocks (big goals) into your schedule/day first.

   • Fit the Pebbles (secondary tasks) into the spaces between the rocks.

   • The Sand (small tasks) will naturally fill the remaining gaps. 

Key Benefits

• Focus: Prevents you from getting bogged down in busywork and losing sight of your main objectives.

• Balance: Creates space for what truly matters in life, health, and work.

• Effectiveness: Ensures high-priority items get done, even when time feels limited. 

Chris uses this method annually. His holidays, conferences, and even his monthly haircuts are all locked and loaded for the year. If it’s already in the diary, it’s going to happen and not be left to chance!

Let us know by calling 0355612643 if you would like some help.

Yearly Theme

In 2026, we will be focusing on the 4 Ways to Grow a Business.

When it comes down to a simple formula to run a successful business, there are really only four fundamental ways to grow your business: win new customers, get them to come back to you more often get them to spend more when they do, and improve the processes in your business to ensure that you achieve the first 3.

So that’s:

1. Increase the number of customers (of the type you want);

2. Increase the number of times they deal with you.

3. Increase your average sale or ‘transaction value,’ and

4. Improve the effectiveness and processes within your business to ensure the achievement of the first 3!
   
   

When you think about any other strategy, such as cutting costs, it won’t grow your business unless you use the money you save to promote your business. It may let you control your business better and return greater profits, but it won’t grow your business.

And what do most businesses focus on?

That’s right, no.1, winning new customers. And they often ignore the other (usually less expensive) ways to grow their businesses.

If you are a business owner who is almost solely focused on winning new customers, you’re missing sales and PROFIT opportunities beyond your wildest dreams!

Let’s look at an example of a business with 1,000 customers who buy once a year at an average sale price of $100.

Number of customers x Number of dealings x Average $ Sale = Turnover

1,000 x 1 x $100 = $100,000

Look at what happens to turnover when just one area – winning new customers, for example – is increased by 10%.

1,100 x 1 x $100 = $110,000

The same happens when either the number of times your customers deal with you or the average transaction value is increased by 10%.

1,000 x 1.1 x $100 = $110,000

Or...

1,000 x 1 x $110 = $110,000

But look at what happens when all three areas are increased by 10% at the same time.

That’s right – increasing each area at the same time has a multiplier effect of increasing turnover NOT by 10% as you could assume, but by a staggering 33.1%!

An additional income of not 10% to $110,000 but 33.1% to $133,100!

Simply by focusing on a combination of the first 3 ways to grow a business simultaneously, you will achieve a staggering 33.1% increase in additional income because of the multiplier effect. An increase of 33.1% in turnover for doing nothing else except improving EACH area at once, rather than concentrating on just one area at a time. This multiplier effect is caused by the combination, the momentum, of all 3 areas working together.

And by then using the 4th way to grow a business (improve the effectiveness and processes within your business by documenting them for others to follow), you have a systemised way of running a business (even without you being there!).

So, when it comes down to the fundamentals to run a successful business, there are really only four ways to grow your business!

Check out our calculator to see for yourself what the impact could be if you focus on these 4 areas:

Be sure to check out our daily blogs and weekly podcasts for tips, strategies and ideas to help you achieve success more quickly.

Strategies for an Unexpected Retirement

The best time to start planning for retirement is yesterday.  But the second-best time? Today. About two-thirds of Australians retire earlier than they anticipated because of unexpected events such as job loss or redundancy, they need to care for a family member, have a sudden illness or injury, problems at work or a partner’s decision to retire.

But, whether you’re in your 50s, 60s, or even beyond, it’s never too late to take meaningful steps toward a more secure and fulfilling retirement. The good news is that with the right guidance and a few smart moves, you can still build a retirement plan that reflects your values, supports your lifestyle and gives you peace of mind.

Where to begin

Before you make any changes, it’s important to understand your current financial position.

This includes:

• your superannuation balance

• other savings or investments

• debts such as your mortgage, credit cards and personal loans

• expected retirement income sources including the Age Pension, rental income and part-time work

Boost your super

Even if you’re starting later, there are ways to accelerate your super growth using:

• Salary sacrifice. Contributing pre-tax income into super can reduce your taxable income while boosting your retirement savings.

• Personal contributions. You may be eligible for a tax deduction or government co-contribution depending on your income.

• Catch-up contributions. You may be eligible to add to your super but be aware of the caps on contributions.

These strategies can be especially powerful in your 50s and 60s, when your income may be higher and retirement is on the horizon.

It’s also a good idea to regularly consider your super investment options and review your risk tolerance and time horizon.

Deal with debt

If possible, getting your debt under control before you retire is a useful strategy. You could consider using your superannuation or other savings, or downsizing your home to pay off a mortgage or other loans. But first, it’s essential to carefully check the tax impact, the effect on your super and whether any potential government benefits will be affected.

Reassess your lifestyle goals

Retirement isn’t just about money, it’s about how and where you want to live, how much travel you’d like to do and if you’d continue to work part-time. 

Clarifying your lifestyle goals helps shape your financial strategy. It also ensures your retirement plan reflects your values, not just your bank balance. 

How much will I really need?

Aim to create a retirement budget. Estimate your future expenses, including housing, food, travel and healthcare and compare them to your expected income. This helps identify any shortfalls and guides your savings strategy.

You will also need to consider the amount of time you might spend in retirement. This will depend on when you retire (planned or unexpected) and how long you live. This is called longevity risk. Given life expectancy is unpredictable, there is a possibility that your retirement savings may not last throughout retirement.

Understand your entitlements

Many Australians are eligible for government support in retirement, including:

• Age Pension. Based on income and assets, available from age 67 (for those born after 1957).

• Concession cards. For discounts on healthcare, transport and utilities.

• Rent assistance. If you’re renting privately and receive the Age Pension.

Even if you don’t qualify now, you may be able to restructure your finances to maximise future entitlements.

Review regularly and remain flexible

Retirement planning isn’t a one-time event. Life changes and so should your strategy.

Regular reviews help you:

• Adjust for market movements or legislative changes

• Update your goals and spending patterns

• Ensure your estate planning is current.

Flexibility is key. Whether you retire gradually, take a sabbatical, or pivot to a new venture, your plan should evolve with you.

Next steps

Retirement planning is about taking the next step rather than chasing perfection. Whether you’re starting late or simply refining your strategy, every step you take now helps shape a more secure and meaningful future.

And remember that retirement isn’t an endpoint. It’s a new beginning, even if you retire earlier than you anticipated. With the right plan in place, you can step into this next chapter with clarity, confidence and purpose.

At Ceebeks, we’d be happy to help you review your current retirement plan and identify any gaps in retirement goals, and create a strategy should you need to retire earlier than expected.

Do you need some accountability, extra motivation and guidance in 2026?

If so, reach out, and we can make you part of our new monthly Accountability Group of like-minded business owners who want to succeed and excel. We can also show you how our business coaching program - Chasers Getting Results^TM - works if you really want to take your business to the next level!.

Looking to start a business?
Get a copy of our latest book before you do to fast-track your success.

Or looking to grow your business in these tougher economic times?

Both books are for any aspiring entrepreneur who wants to grow their business and to understand what to look out for and avoid when they start their business, too!

The first Chasers Mastermind for 2026 commences on Friday 23rd of January for those business owners who want to build a better business and be held accountable for the critical tasks that they want to implement to move forward and closer to achieving greater success.

Learn all of the essential components that make a successful business to to really takeoff!

Congratulations to Juan Pablo Sixto from Southwest Imports on successfully completing the second Mastermind of this year. Juan was a very enthusiastic participant wanting to master the key components for operating a successful business at the most recent Chasers Mastermind.

Your investment in this program will be $100 plus GST per week. You will be able to focus on specific areas for your business that need attention, collaborate on ideas and strategies in a group learning environment and share what’s working.

If you have not yet left a review for us on our Google Reviews, then now is the chance to do this and get 12 chances of winning a luxury 3-night holiday in Tropical Mackay in North Queensland. That’s right! By simply scanning this QR Code and following the instructions we will enter you in the monthly draw to win.

The winners so far in 2025/26 were:

• Jul - Brent Moir

• Aug - Michael Welch

• Sep - Maria Scott

• Oct - Renee Lane

• Nov - Gemma Wylie

December's winner was: Sara & Dale McDonnell from Warrnambool Motorcycle and Gardening Products

If you are not successful in previous months, you will be automatically re-entered for the following month giving you up to 12 possible chances of winning this awesome holiday. As soon as you leave a review our Team will be notified and will enter your name in the draw. - Good luck!

The latest edition of our National Award-Winning Magazine – No. 22 - is now published and available for you to read. It features heaps of educational tips and ideas on how to create highly productive teams by delegating, an inspiring story about our featured Chaser’s are young entrepreneurs - Brianna Kilpatrick & Arley Fleming from Sweet Freeze Acai & Froyo and an article on the importance of focusing on using three essential tools for managing your commercial lease by Phil Chapman, a renowned expert with extensive experience in helping business owners negotiate better lease terms and conditions for their commercial lease contracts.

Don’t forget to check out our latest podcast episodes on The Chasers Channel. The most recent episode 103 features a discussion with sleep expert, Dr Barton Jennings about how this could be your superpower to business efficiency and success!

We release a new episode every Sunday, so make sure you follow our podcast to get the latest news, tips and strategies for bringing you closer to achieving the dreams you are chasing.

Key Dates in January 2026

Lodge and pay quarter 2, 2025–26 PAYG instalment activity statement for head companies of consolidated groups.

Lodge and pay December 2025 monthly business activity statement except for business clients with up to $10 million turnover who report GST monthly and lodge electronically.

Make quarter 2, 2025–26 super guarantee contributions to funds by this date.

Note: Employers who do not pay minimum super contributions for quarter 2 by this date must pay the super guarantee charge and lodge a Superannuation guarantee charge statement by 28 February 2026.

Lodge TFN report for closely held trusts if any beneficiary quoted their TFN to a trustee in quarter 2, 2025–26.

Lodge tax return for taxable large and medium entities as per the latest year lodged (all entities other than individuals), unless required earlier.

Payment for large and medium entities with a 31 January due date is:

• 1 December 2025 for companies and super funds

• for trusts, as stated on their notice of assessment.

Note: You cannot assume a later date for lodgment on the basis that the taxpayer will be non-taxable in the current year. If you request a lodgment deferral, it will be escalated for manual assessment as an ATO assessed deferral.

Lodge tax return for the taxable head company of a consolidated group (including a new registrant) that has a member who has been deemed a large or medium entity in the latest year lodged, unless the return was required earlier. Payment was due 1 December 2025.