6 Simple Steps to Set Your Business’s One-Year Priority

I don’t know about you, but I’m a goals guy.  A systems and accountability guy. I’m driven and motivated and there’s nothing like the first of the year to get me creating a new list of goals. It usually consists of the following: grow revenue, hire new staff, launch a product, revamp the website, dominate TikTok, and maybe even learn to perfect my apple pie in the smoker…

But let me ask you this: What happens when you spread yourself thin across a dozen priorities? Nada. At least, nothing significant.

Greatness doesn’t come from doing everything, it comes from doing the right thing. That’s why you need to set a single, measurable one-year priority. Not five goals. Not even three. Just one. The one goal that, when achieved, will make the biggest impact on your business.

Let’s break this down into actionable steps so you can zero in on your one-year priority and set your business up for success.

Step 1: Diagnose your business’s biggest opportunity

Before you can set a meaningful goal, you need to identify what your business truly needs right now. The Pumpkin Plan teaches us that growth doesn’t come from chasing every shiny object but from focusing on the right things.

Ask yourself these questions:

• What’s holding your company back? Identify the biggest obstacle to your growth. Is it a lack of leads? Inefficient systems? Customer churn?

• Where are you thriving? Look at what’s working well. How can you double down on those strengths?

• What’s the one thing that, if improved, will unlock the next level? Think about the domino effect: if you knock down this one thing, what other challenges will fall away?

For example, if you’re struggling to retain customers, your priority might be to create a world-class onboarding experience. If your profit margins are razor-thin, your focus might be implementing Profit First principles.

Step 2: Make it measurable

I told you, I’m an accountability guy. Your one-year priority must be clear and measurable. A vague goal like “grow revenue” isn’t going to cut it. You need to attach a number and a deadline to it.

Examples of clear, measurable goals:

• Increase recurring revenue by 25% by December 31.

• Reduce customer churn to less than 5% by year-end.

• Launch a new product that generates $100,000 in sales within six months.

Measurable goals give you a target to aim for and a way to track your progress. Without that, you’re shooting in the dark.

Step 3: Break it down (If you immediately heard Bust a Move when you read this, know you’re not alone.)

Once you have your one-year priority, the next step is to break it into smaller, manageable chunks. A year can feel like a long time and I know I get distracted when I don’t have a plan in place.

Here’s how to break it down:

1. Quarterly milestones: Divide your goal into four quarterly objectives. For example, if your goal is to increase recurring revenue by 25%, your milestones might look like this:

   • Q1: Increase by 5%.

   • Q2: Increase by 10%.

   • Q3: Increase by 20%.

   • Q4: Hit 25%.

2. Monthly focus areas: Each month, focus on a specific strategy or initiative to move closer to your milestone. For example, in Q1, you might focus on refining your sales process, while in Q2, you might focus on customer retention strategies.

3. Weekly actions: Break it down even further into weekly actions. What can you and your team do this week to move the needle?

Step 4: Rally your team

If you’re a one-person show, this step is about rallying yourself. But if you have a team, they need to be all-in on this priority, too.

Here’s how to rally your team:

• Communicate the why: Share why this priority matters and how it will benefit the business and everyone on the team.

• Set expectations: Be clear about what success looks like and each person’s role in achieving it.

• Celebrate milestones: Acknowledge progress along the way. Small wins keep the momentum going.

Remember, people are more motivated when they feel like they’re part of something meaningful. Make this goal about more than just numbers and align your mission with their hopes and dreams.

Step 5: Stay focused

This is the hardest part. As the year goes on, new opportunities and challenges will pop up. It’s tempting to chase after them, but you must stay disciplined.

Here’s how to stay focused:

1. Use a scoreboard: Create a visual way to track your progress. Whether it’s a dashboard, a whiteboard, or a spreadsheet, make sure you’re regularly updating it and reviewing it with your team.

2. Say NO: If something doesn’t align with your one-year priority, it’s a no. Period.

3. Schedule check-ins: Set a recurring meeting to review progress, adjust your plan, and stay on track.

Step 6: Reflect and adjust

As you work toward your one-year priority, you’ll learn what’s working and what’s not. Don’t be afraid to pivot if needed. The key is to keep moving forward.

At the end of each quarter, take time to reflect:

• What progress did we make?

• What challenges did we face?

• What adjustments do we need to make?

Your quick assignment for the week

Let’s make this actionable right now. Here’s your assignment for the week:

1. Schedule a meeting with yourself (or your team): Block out one hour to reflect on your business.

2. Ask these questions:

   • What’s the biggest opportunity or challenge we’re facing right now?

   • What’s the one thing that, if we achieve it, will make the biggest impact this year?

3. Set your one-year priority: Write it down. Make it measurable. Commit to it.

Your business doesn’t need more goals. It needs the right goal. This year, go all-in on your one-year priority and watch how everything else starts to fall into place.

You’ve got this.

– Mike

PS – I mentioned The Pumpkin Plan. To get a copy of the book, you can visit your favorite bookseller or order it here. Want more help? Reach out to Pumpkin Plan Your Biz to learn how to implement the Pumpkin Plan strategies.

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