Reader —

Are you tired of setting business goals that look great on paper but feel impossible to achieve in real life?

You're not alone.

Almost every woman I’ve ever worked with hired me because they were frustrated by not reaching their goals year after year.

Though my clients come from various countries, circumstances, and industries, they usually have one thing in common: The goals they’ve set compete with – rather than complement – their lives.

So before I ever talk with clients about revenue targets or growth projections, I first work to understand the context of their lives.

Think about it.

How can you realistically plan to launch a new program in September if your kids are starting at new schools and will need extra support?

Why set yourself up for frustration by scheduling major business initiatives during your partner's busy season at work when you'll have additional family responsibilities?

The Key Questions You're Not Asking

Before setting your next business goal, consider these often-overlooked factors:

• Family Dynamics — Who depends on you and what do they need? Are your kids in activities that require regular transportation or attendance? Does your partner travel for work?
• Personal Wellbeing — What do you need to feel energized and fulfilled? How much sleep do you require? What activities help you recharge?
• Seasonal Changes — When are your naturally high and low-energy periods? What times of year bring additional personal or family commitments?
• Support Systems — What resources do you have available? Who can help when things get busy?

Making Goals Work For You

I am all for ambitious goals – I have several myself for the upcoming year. But I care more about sustainable success than I do about impressive numbers that cost you your health, relationships, and joy.

When you align your business goals with your lifestyle:

1. You're more likely to achieve them because they're realistic and manageable
2. The journey feels energizing rather than depleting
3. Success in one area of life enhances, rather than diminishes, other areas

Remember what I always say: Context matters.

Your business doesn't operate in a vacuum, and your goals shouldn't either. The most effective business strategy is one that recognizes and works with the full picture of your life.

Your Next Steps

Take out your current business goals and ask yourself:

• Do these goals align with my current life circumstances?
• What adjustments would make them more sustainable?
• What support do I need to achieve them while maintaining balance?

Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is adjust your goals to better fit your life. That's not settling – it's being strategic about your success.

Let's start building the business you really want – one that supports your life instead of consuming it.

To sustainable success,

Gwen

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P.S. Want to meet other entrepreneurs committed to sustainable success? Join our Small Biz Book Club. On Nov. 20, we’re discussing The Perfectionist’s Guide to Losing Control by Katherine Morgan Schafler.

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Beyond the VA: Rethinking How We Delegate ​ Want to know the biggest mistake entrepreneurs make when delegating? It's not what you think. While many business experts advise offloading tasks you hate or hiring a VA right away, I've discovered effective delegation requires a completely different approach. In the latest episode of The Business You Really Want, Tonya and I discuss the finer points of delegation and high performance. We explore why many CEOs struggle to let go (ahem…perfectionism), and I share my framework for true delegation that goes far beyond simply handing off tasks. Not only will you learn the practical skills associated with effective delegation, you’ll also be able to develop a culture of accountability without micromanaging.

​ ​ Check out the episode