ike many business owners, I used to set ambitious goals at the start of the year, full of optimism and big plans. But where I fell short, and where so many of us fall short, was actually revisiting those goals.
It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day grind, especially when business is thriving. But if you don’t take the time to check in on your goals, you’re running your business on autopilot. And that’s a risky game to play.
I’ve worked with companies of all sizes, from global brands to solopreneurs, and I’ve seen firsthand what separates high-performing businesses from struggling ones. It’s not just about setting goals, it’s about having a system to hold yourself and your team accountable, and making adjustments as needed.
Course-Correcting Before It’s Too Late
A great example of what happens when a company doesn’t revisit its goals is Schlitz Beer. Once the largest brewery in the U.S., they decided to cut production costs in the late 1960s. That decision, on its own, wasn’t necessarily a bad one, but they failed to assess the impact of those cost-cutting measures. Quality declined, customers noticed, and by the time Schlitz reacted, it was too late.
On the other hand, companies like Nike, and Uber, have weekly check-ins to adjust their strategies based on what’s working and what’s not. They don’t wait for problems to snowball. They course-correct in real time.
How to Build a Simple Goal-Tracking System
You don’t need a huge corporate infrastructure to do this. Even if you’re a solopreneur, you can implement a goal-tracking system that works for you. Here’s what I recommend:
Set a Regular Cadence
Whether it’s weekly, or monthly, create a dedicated time to check in on your goals. This can be a formal review or even a self-reflection session.
Make Your Goals Measurable
Vague goals lead to vague results. Instead of saying, I want to grow my business, set a specific target: I want to increase revenue by 20% this quarter. The clearer your goals, the easier it is to track progress.
Document Everything
You don’t need fancy software, a simple spreadsheet works. Track what’s going well, what’s off track, and what adjustments need to be made.
Hold Yourself Accountable
If you’re a one person business, self-discipline is key. If you have a team, create a reporting structure where updates are shared consistently.
Make Adjustments Without Guilt
Business is unpredictable. If a goal no longer makes sense based on new data, pivot. Sticking to a plan that’s not working doesn’t make you committed, it only makes you inflexible.
Prioritizing regular goal reviews creates clarity, alignment, and momentum. It ensures that leadership (even if that’s just you) stays connected to execution. And most importantly, it keeps you from waking up months down the line wondering why things aren’t moving the way you’d hoped.
So ask yourself: When was the last time you checked in on your business goals? If it’s been a while, better late than never, right?
Stay Connected with Kelly
Kelly Feeney consults and advises business leaders on strategy, planning, and execution. As an Operations Exec, Kelly has led teams as large as 300 with budgets of $100M+ at enterprise companies like Uber and Airbnb.
Connect with Kelly on LinkedIn or learn more about her work at Kairos Studio.
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