Beginning with the end in mind
When we start out in business we expect to be in it for the long-term right? We have goals. Some of them loftier than others. One important goal that’s often neglected is how we want it to end.
If you’re planning a trip you need to know where you’re going before you can plan the route yeah?
When I left home today I knew that the office was my destination and so I came via the most direct route to ensure I got here on time.
In order to achieve any goal you need to set it, visualise it, and plan for it. This includes ultimately exiting your business.
Two things are important here: a) Have the end result in mind before you start, and b) For clarity, quantify that end result.
I love what I do, and I plan to continue for a long time to come, but I also have an exit strategy from my business. Now, there may be some tweaking along the way, but I know approximately when I want to be able to move out of the business, I know how I want the business to look when I do it, and I know what I want to do afterward.
As business owners we take significant risks on board, in anticipation that we’ll be duly rewarded in the future. For most of us, we expect the prize to come in retirement (with some lifestyle rewards along the way of course), but it doesn’t just magically happen. We have to plan for it.
Do you want to sell your business for a profit? Are you hoping to cease the physical work, but remain a shareholder with a regular income? Will you simply wind down the business? Do you want a family member or staff member to succeed you?
Time and time again business owners are surprised to find themselves being forced to sell their business for a much reduced value, unable to find a buyer, winding down a business they hoped to sell, or without appropriate succession, because they didn’t begin with the end in mind and work towards it.
Starting with the end in mind helps you build not only the type of business you want, but also the business you need to reach your ultimate goals.
What do you really want most for your business?
The great news is that you can have it – exactly what you want most. It may mean difficult sacrifices, significant effort, and a lot of time, but you can do it.
However, if you’re not prepared to make the necessary sacrifices or put in the required effort then own it, find peace with it, and change your goal.
Don’t persist dreaming about something unless you’re prepared to do whatever’s necessary to make it happen. That’s not a cheap shot; it’s a fact. Why set yourself up for failure? Just trade your goal for something more realistic, and move on.
On the other hand, if what you want most to achieve is commensurate with the requisite sacrifices, effort, and time then go do it. Set some realistic goals and start making it happen today.
If you’re planning a trip you need to know where you’re going before you can plan the route yeah?
When I left home today I knew that the office was my destination and so I came via the most direct route to ensure I got here on time.
In order to achieve any goal you need to set it, visualise it, and plan for it. This includes ultimately exiting your business.
Two things are important here: a) Have the end result in mind before you start, and b) For clarity, quantify that end result.
I love what I do, and I plan to continue for a long time to come, but I also have an exit strategy from my business. Now, there may be some tweaking along the way, but I know approximately when I want to be able to move out of the business, I know how I want the business to look when I do it, and I know what I want to do afterward.
As business owners we take significant risks on board, in anticipation that we’ll be duly rewarded in the future. For most of us, we expect the prize to come in retirement (with some lifestyle rewards along the way of course), but it doesn’t just magically happen. We have to plan for it.
Do you want to sell your business for a profit? Are you hoping to cease the physical work, but remain a shareholder with a regular income? Will you simply wind down the business? Do you want a family member or staff member to succeed you?
Time and time again business owners are surprised to find themselves being forced to sell their business for a much reduced value, unable to find a buyer, winding down a business they hoped to sell, or without appropriate succession, because they didn’t begin with the end in mind and work towards it.
Starting with the end in mind helps you build not only the type of business you want, but also the business you need to reach your ultimate goals.
What do you really want most for your business?
The great news is that you can have it – exactly what you want most. It may mean difficult sacrifices, significant effort, and a lot of time, but you can do it.
However, if you’re not prepared to make the necessary sacrifices or put in the required effort then own it, find peace with it, and change your goal.
Don’t persist dreaming about something unless you’re prepared to do whatever’s necessary to make it happen. That’s not a cheap shot; it’s a fact. Why set yourself up for failure? Just trade your goal for something more realistic, and move on.
On the other hand, if what you want most to achieve is commensurate with the requisite sacrifices, effort, and time then go do it. Set some realistic goals and start making it happen today.
The Most Powerful Habits for Success Aren't What You Expect
Success often seems loud, intense, and attention-grabbing. But the truth? The habits that truly drive high performance are surprisingly quiet.
Here are 10 subtle yet transformative habits that can change everything:
1. Smart Simplicity
- Ask yourself, “Is this the most efficient way?”
- Seek shortcuts that maintain quality while saving time.
2. Selective Focus
- Dedicate 90 minutes daily to deep, uninterrupted work.
- Tackle priority tasks and aim to complete them by 1 PM.
3. Emotional Regulation
- Build a 5-minute reset ritual between meetings.
- Use deep breaths, a quick walk, or mindfulness to reset your energy.
4. Pattern Breaking
- Embrace micro-challenges, like starting with a 10-second cold shower.
- Focus on small, consistent habits to create momentum.
5. Authentic Action
- Follow through on your commitments and communicate changes promptly.
- Address mistakes directly and offer clear solutions.
6. Micro-Recovery
- Take three intentional 5-minute breaks: at 10 AM, 1 PM, and 4 PM.
- Step away fully—no screens, no work-related talk.
7. Energy Management
- Track your energy levels hourly for one day.
- Schedule your most demanding tasks during peak energy periods.
8. Productive Procrastination
- Delay responding to non-urgent emails for 24 hours.
- You’ll find that many issues resolve themselves.
9. Strategic Connection
- Each day, connect two people who could benefit from knowing each other.
- Bridge problems with potential solutions by being a connector.
10. Insight Mining
- Shift your mindset with questions like “What if?” and “Why not?”
- Replace “I know” with a curious, “Let’s explore.”
Success isn’t about being the loudest or most visible person in the room. It’s about mastering the quiet habits that others overlook.
Which one of these habits will you begin practicing today?
What You Can Measure, You Can Manage
Financial Target Setting and Tracking: The Key to Measurable Success
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from years of working with business owners, it’s this: you can’t hit a target you can’t see. Financial success doesn’t just happen—it’s the result of intentional planning, consistent tracking, and disciplined execution. In this blog post, I’ll share how you can set clear financial goals, track your progress effectively, and adjust your strategies to ensure your business achieves measurable success.
Setting financial targets isn’t just about revenue; it’s about clarity. Clear goals provide you with direction, focus, and a way to measure progress. Without them, it’s easy to drift or react to day-to-day challenges without a long-term plan in mind.
Financial targets:
Help you stay aligned with your business vision.
Provide motivation for you and your team.
Allow you to identify gaps or areas needing improvement.
Act as a roadmap for sustainable growth.
Financial target setting and tracking aren’t just tasks—they’re habits that create momentum. When you commit to setting clear goals and regularly evaluating your progress, success becomes inevitable.
Treat your financial targets as living, breathing elements of your business. They’re not just numbers on a spreadsheet—they’re a representation of your hard work, vision, and commitment to building something extraordinary.
If you’re ready to take control of your financial future, I’d love to help. Let’s sit down together and create a roadmap tailored to your business’s unique goals and challenges. Because success doesn’t just happen—you build it.
Here’s to a year of measurable growth!
– Caz Hendrie
Setting financial targets isn’t just about revenue; it’s about clarity. Clear goals provide you with direction, focus, and a way to measure progress. Without them, it’s easy to drift or react to day-to-day challenges without a long-term plan in mind.
Financial targets:
Help you stay aligned with your business vision.
Provide motivation for you and your team.
Allow you to identify gaps or areas needing improvement.
Act as a roadmap for sustainable growth.
Financial target setting and tracking aren’t just tasks—they’re habits that create momentum. When you commit to setting clear goals and regularly evaluating your progress, success becomes inevitable.
Treat your financial targets as living, breathing elements of your business. They’re not just numbers on a spreadsheet—they’re a representation of your hard work, vision, and commitment to building something extraordinary.
If you’re ready to take control of your financial future, I’d love to help. Let’s sit down together and create a roadmap tailored to your business’s unique goals and challenges. Because success doesn’t just happen—you build it.
Here’s to a year of measurable growth!
– Caz Hendrie
