What’s your end goal?

Last week, I talked about where to start in your journey to make your business less dependent on you. This week, I want to help you focus on the end.

Your end goal.

In business, we often get so caught up in the day-to-day that we forget what we’re working towards. We answer emails, solve problems, and keep things moving but without a clear outcome in mind, it’s easy to drift.

Recently, I had the privilege of talking to Ben Hunt-Davis, a member of the Team GB rowing eight that won gold at the Sydney Olympics. Two years before their victory, they were in disarray. Despite their talent and dedication, they weren’t getting the results they wanted.

So they stripped everything back to one simple question:

“Will it make the boat go faster?”

Every decision, every action, every strategy had to answer that question. And by focusing on what really mattered, they transformed their performance and won Olympic gold.

Now, most of us aren’t competing for medals in our businesses. But we are competing for something, our time, our freedom, our financial security, or the ability to step back one day knowing the business will thrive without us.

So, what’s your equivalent of “making the boat go faster”?

Defining your end goal 

When I talk to business owners, most fall into one of two categories:

1. Those who don’t make enough profit, or

2. Those who don’t have enough time.

If you’re in the first group, you’re probably in the early years of building your business, working hard to make it grow and balancing that with a growing family and other commitments. It’s stressful and often lonely, but it’s also full of potential.

If you’re in the second group, you’ve probably reached a stage where things are going well financially, but you’ve lost control of your time. The business is successful but it’s still all dependent on you.

Either way, you have a choice to make. What’s the real goal? Is it to grow profits? To buy back your time? To hand over the reins? Or to one day sell your business and enjoy the rewards?

Knowing your outcome shapes every step that follows.

Ronalds and Eltons

In my book accidental millionaires, I talk about the two extremes of business owners — Ronalds and Eltons.

A Ronald (like Ronald McDonald) has built a business that can run without them. They work on the business, strategy, systems, people, not in it.

An Elton (like Elton John) is the star performer. They’re the face, the voice, the one who makes it all happen. Their business works because of their talent, not despite it.

There’s nothing wrong with being an Elton but it’s important to be honest about what that means. If you are the business, there won’t be much to sell one day. Your income stops when you do.

If you want a business that gives you freedom whether that means more time, financial independence, or an eventual sale. You’ll need to shift your focus. You might have to stop doing some of the things you enjoy, or the things that have served you well up to now.

Because what got you here won’t necessarily get you there.

Begin with the end in mind

Every owner’s journey is different. You might be ready to hire your first employee, to restructure a team, or to plan your exit five years from now. But whatever your stage, start by defining your outcome.

If you can’t clearly answer what success looks like for you, you’ll never know what to prioritise or where to focus your energy.

That’s what this series and my book are all about: helping you build a business that gives you the life you want, not one that takes it away.

Ready to take the next step? 

If you want to:

• Make your business less dependent on you
• Create more time and freedom in your life
• Or plan for sale or succession on your own terms

Then start by talking to us.

📘 Download the book for free: a4g-llp.co.uk/making-your-business-less-dependent-on-you
🛒 Buy on Amazon (Kindle or paperback): View on Amazon
📞 Or book a 1-2-1 with A4G: a4g-llp.co.uk/contact

Next Episode: Malcolm explores the biggest outcome of all — exit.