The new year is often when most of us step back and think about what we want the next 12 months to look like. Perhaps it's more profit, fewer late nights catching up on work, improved systems, or simply a business that feels easier to manage.

The real challenge, however, isn't usually a shortage of ideas. It's that many goals are structured in a way that makes them difficult to sustain when the everyday demands of work return. That's why we wanted to share our five-step approach to setting business goals, one that emphasises follow-through as much as it does the initial spark of ambition.

Step 1: Pick one goal that genuinely moves the business forward

Trying to fix everything at once usually leads to fixing nothing. We often see business owners commit to growth, cost control, new software, marketing and hiring all at the same time.

Instead, choose the one outcome that would make the biggest difference this year. That might be improving cash flow stability, increasing margins, or freeing up more of your own time.

This becomes the priority that decisions are tested against. Other improvements can sit behind it, but they do not compete for attention.

Step 2: Set a goal that stretches you, but still fits reality

A goal needs enough ambition to hold your focus beyond January. If it is too easy, it will be deprioritised. If it is unrealistic, it will be abandoned.

The best goals sit in the middle. Challenging, but grounded in the reality of your current numbers, capacity and market conditions. This is where clear financial information adds real value, rather than relying on instinct alone.

Step 3: Convert the goal into specific, scheduled actions

High-level goals only work when they are translated into what actually happens week to week.

Be clear on the actions that drive the outcome. For many businesses, this might mean reviewing pricing, assessing which customers or services are genuinely profitable, tightening processes, or stepping away from work that absorbs time without delivering a fair return.

These tasks require scheduling, not just a fleeting note jotted down on New Year's Day. Block out time in your calendar and treat it with the same seriousness as a client commitment. Progress often grinds to a halt when you simply wait for free time to appear.

Step 4: Use focus tools that work in real life

Motivation is not constant. The most productive business owners design their environment to support focus rather than relying on willpower.

A few tools that genuinely help:

• Visual reminders can help, but only if they change. A note stuck on the mirror or desk might catch your attention for a few days, then it quickly becomes part of the background. If you use prompts, refresh them regularly and move them around. The aim is to create a nudge you actually notice, not something you automatically ignore.
  
  
• When you're working, keep your phone out of reach or switch it to aeroplane mode. Both task-switching and procrastination can seriously cut into your productivity. Task-switching happens when you check your phone during work sessions, and procrastination is when you get distracted by your phone just before you begin a task.
  
  
• Work in defined time blocks, then deliberately switch off afterwards. This helps maintain energy across the week. Tip: Relax your gaze and look off to the horizon when you finish working. This “turns off” the release of chemicals associated with alertness and will aid in relaxation.
  
  
• If motivation dips, briefly remind yourself what not achieving the goal would mean for the business. Avoiding a negative outcome is often a stronger driver than chasing a positive one.
  
  

Step 5: Plan for the middle, not just the start and finish

Most goals fail in the middle phase. The initial excitement has passed, and the finish line feels distant. This is normal. The solution is to break the overall timeframe into smaller segments and acknowledge progress along the way. We find that random, occasional rewards often work better than constant ones. They keep the energy up without making things feel stale.

Equally, do not feel the need to broadcast goals too early. Early praise can replace the sense of achievement that should come from actual results.

How we can help

As accountants, we are naturally focused on numbers, but those numbers tell a story about where a business is being held back and where effort will have the biggest impact.

If you want a second opinion on your goals, help working out what is realistic financially, or just a chance to talk things through with someone who understands your business, we’re always happy to help. Feel free to give us a call 01904 787 973 or book a call with Donald Inglis.