We’ve all heard the statistics: most New Year’s business goals and resolutions end in failure. While different surveys offer varying numbers, one thing is clear: most businesses struggle to achieve their goals. But why is that?
The issue is that we often get caught up in just thinking about the goal and forget about the steps to get there. Like Thomas Edison said, "Vision without execution is hallucination" Just having a business goal isn’t enough; without a solid plan and steady effort, you might not meet your expectations.
Shift From Goal to Process
Instead of relying solely on a goal-oriented mindset, businesses can benefit from adopting a process-oriented approach. This approach helps break down big goals into actionable steps, making it easier to stay on track and achieve results. Here’s a simple process that can help you take your business dreams from ideas to tangible outcomes.
A few weeks ago, I worked with an organisation's CEO and its Board to help them in working out the 2025 goals that will assist the business in 'moving the needle' towards their vision.
Inevitably, the question that followed was: "Now that we have our business goals for 2025, what do we do next?"
This question is something every business owner and CEO should ask when they set a goal. It’s not enough to just define what you want to achieve—what matters most is how you plan to get there.
Without a clear, actionable strategy, even the most ambitious goals can feel like distant dreams.
I shared a process that I’ve used in my own business, and it’s something that has helped me turn big, daunting goals into reality. I call it: Quarterly Strategies, Weekly Roadmap, and Daily Execution.
Quarterly Strategies
The first step in this process is to break your year into manageable chunks by thinking in terms of quarters. I recommend choosing 3 core priorities—what I call your big rocks (from Stephen Covey)—for each quarter. These are the initiatives that, if focused on, will have the biggest impact on your business in the long run.
For example, in the past year, one of my big rocks was to expand our service offerings by launching a new product.
→ In the first quarter, my goal was to complete the product development phase.
→ In the second quarter, I focused on marketing and brand awareness.
→ And so on.
By focusing on just 3 priorities per quarter, you make sure that your energy is focused on what really 'moves the needle'.
Weekly Roadmaps
Once you’ve identified your big rocks for the quarter, it’s time to break them down further into smaller, more actionable weekly tasks (roadmaps).
This step is all about taking your long-term goals and making them practical.
Every week, look at your quarterly goals and ask yourself: "What are the key tasks I need to accomplish this week to move closer to my big rocks?"
This process not only keeps you on track but also makes it easier to maintain momentum. For example, if launching a new product is one of your quarterly goals, your weekly roadmap might include tasks like
→ researching suppliers,
→ reaching out to potential collaborators, or
→ creating a marketing strategy.
By checking in every week, you ensure you're consistently making progress.
Daily Execution
The final step is the most crucial: daily execution.
It’s all about building the habit of taking small, focused actions every day that contribute to your larger goals.
These daily steps can be as simple as checking your email, having a quick meeting with your team, or dedicating an hour to working on a marketing strategy.
The key is consistency.
Even when the larger goal seems far away, your daily actions will keep you moving forward.
In our business, we’ve adopted a system of setting small daily tasks that align with our weekly goals. I’ve found that starting each day with a clear list of things to do not only helps me stay organised, but it also helps me prioritise what truly matters.
So, if you’ve set business goals for 2025, I encourage you to create Quarterly Strategies, Weekly Roadmaps, and Daily Execution
Remember, achieving your goals isn’t about having a perfect plan; it’s about consistently taking small, deliberate steps every day. With this process in place, you’ll be well on your way to turning your vision into reality.
If any of this resonates with you, and you want to take things to the next level, it’s time to take action.
The Efficient CEO Program is designed to help swamped Tasmanian CEOs and Leaders like you regain control of their workload so they can focus on what moves the needle, excel at work, without burning out or losing time with family.
If you'd like to know more, send me an email at sandra@hrconsultingtas.com.au.
Subscribe to my free newsletter for valuable HR and Safety insights every two weeks.
Comments