Built Not Born Podcast · 10 November 2023
Are We There Yet? Setting Goals and Celebrating Progress in Business
Why does hitting a business goal so often lead straight to the next target? Chris and Helen discuss celebrating small wins, keeping momentum and recognising progress along the way.
Episode guide
About this episode
Fresh back from a family trip to California, Chris and Helen begin this episode tired, jet lagged and under the weather, but with one useful thing to show for the break: a clearer head. Chris explains that time away does not always leave him feeling physically recharged, but it can give him the mental space to see work and life differently.
The episode title comes from the familiar question children ask on a long journey: are we there yet? Chris and Helen use that idea as a way into a wider discussion about business and personal goals. In business, there is nearly always another milestone ahead. A revenue target, a bigger customer, a more efficient process or a new direction can quickly replace the goal that has just been achieved.
They explain that their businesses work from an annual 'flight path' of objectives, with the bigger plan broken down into monthly targets. Those goals can also change as circumstances change, particularly when resources, team strengths and priorities have to be shared across more than one business.
The problem is that progress can become easy to miss. Chris admits that he is often already thinking about the next goal when the current one is close to being achieved. That forward focus can be useful, but it also means the team does not always stop at the right moment to recognise what has been accomplished.
That leads to a discussion about celebrating smaller wins. A new client or a positive step may not solve every commercial challenge, but it can still matter. Chris and Helen reflect on the need to acknowledge progress while keeping a realistic view of what still has to be done. Waiting until Christmas or the end of the financial year to look back can make an achievement feel less meaningful than recognising it when it happens.
The conversation also turns to self-reflection. Chris and Helen talk about being open to feedback, recognising personal habits and understanding how the way something is said can affect other people. Their conclusion is not that anyone reaches a perfect final destination. It is that setting goals, reviewing progress and being willing to change are all part of continuing to move forward.
Key takeaways
What you'll learn
- Stepping away from work can create valuable mental clarity even when a holiday does not leave you physically refreshed.
- Chris and Helen use an annual 'flight path' of business objectives, then break those goals down into monthly financial targets.
- Constantly moving on to the next objective can make genuine progress feel smaller than it really is.
- Celebrating small wins matters, particularly during difficult weeks or months when setbacks can dominate attention.
- Forward momentum and appreciation can coexist. Recognising an achievement does not have to mean becoming complacent.
- Self-reflection helps people notice how their behaviour and communication affect others, both in business and personal relationships.
Questions from this episode
Frequently asked questions
Why can business goals feel never-ending?
Chris and Helen describe how one goal is often replaced by another as soon as it is close to being achieved. Revenue, customers, efficiency and wider business priorities keep moving, which can make it feel as though the business is never fully 'there'.
How do Chris and Helen structure their business goals?
They use what they call a business 'flight path' for annual objectives, then break those goals down into monthly targets, often with a financial measure attached. They also reassess direction when circumstances, resources or priorities change.
Why do they think small business wins should be celebrated?
They recognise that difficult days, weeks or months can make progress easy to overlook. Celebrating a new client or another small step can help give proper weight to progress instead of immediately focusing only on what is still missing.
Does celebrating progress mean becoming complacent?
No. Chris argues that complacency can be dangerous in business, but he also accepts that recognising an achievement is different from taking the foot off the gas. The challenge is to appreciate progress and still keep moving forward.
What role does self-reflection play in the episode?
Chris and Helen discuss the importance of noticing personal habits, being open to feedback and understanding how behaviour or communication can affect other people. They see self-reflection as part of improving over time.