If you’ve set goals for your business this year but haven’t quite moved on them yet, you’re not alone. There’s a reason for that.

Research shows most people give up on their New Year goals by mid-January. Not because the goals were wrong — but because action feels uncomfortable, and avoidance quietly sneaks in.

And avoidance doesn’t look like quitting. It looks like:

• “I’ll deal with that after this busy period”
• “I just need a bit more information first”
• “Now’s probably not the right time”

Sound familiar? Here’s the problem we see with many business owners: Hard work stays high, but forward momentum stalls.  Not because you’re lazy. Not because you don’t care. But because the most valuable actions are usually the ones that feel the most uncomfortable.

Why action beats planning every time.

Setting goals is easy. Talking about change is easy. What actually changes results is doing the thing you’ve been avoiding.

In business, that’s often:

• Reviewing job margins properly
• Increasing prices where you know they’re too low
• Having the tough conversation with staff or suppliers
• Looking closely at cash flow instead of “hoping it works out”

Most business owners wait until they feel confident before acting. The truth? Confidence comes after action — not before it.

The quiet cost of avoidance

Avoidance doesn’t cause dramatic failure. It causes slow drift. Another year passes.

The same issues linger. Cash flow stress stays familiar. And suddenly you’re working just as hard… for the same result.

One simple question to ask this week

Instead of asking: “What should I do this year?” Ask: “What am I avoiding that would make the biggest difference if I addressed it?”

Then take one specific step:

• Not a perfect plan
• Not a full overhaul
• Just one clear action, with a date attached
  
  

For example:

• Review pricing on your top 3 jobs by Friday
• Book a cash flow review before the end of the month
• Separate GST and tax money into the right accounts this week

Small, uncomfortable action creates momentum. Momentum creates clarity. Clarity creates confidence.

Final thought

You already get things done — or you wouldn’t be running a business. The difference this year isn’t working harder. It’s choosing action over avoidance, even when it feels uncomfortable. If you’d like help identifying the one issue that will move the needle most in your business, that’s exactly what we do.

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Please also note that many of the comments in this publication are general in nature and anyone intending to apply the information to practical circumstances should seek professional advice to independently verify their interpretation and the information’s applicability to their particular circumstances. Should you have any further questions, please get in touch with us for assistance with your SMSF, business, bookkeeping and tax requirements. All rights reserved. Based on content from Mindshop, a trusted resource for business advisors worldwide. Liability Limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.