5 tips goal-setting tips for the year

May 26, 2022

Effective goal setting will help you get the very best out of the year. Our 5 goal-setting tips will help small business owners reach new highs.

Wouldn’t it be great to have your best year ever, this year? Whether you want to grow your business or take more time for yourself, these goal-setting tips can help you achieve your long-term plans.


  1. Think big! - What do you want from your life – and how can your business help you achieve that? Think about next year and beyond; what does your business look like in five or 10 years? When you know what end point you’re aiming for, it’s easier to set goals that move you in the right direction.
  2. Pick something you can measure - Vague goals aren’t as helpful as those you can measure and monitor. Think about what you already measure in your business and how you’d like to see those metrics change. For example:
  • A 3% increase in net profit year-on-year
  • A 2% reduction in expenses
  • 1 new customer per month
  • Reduce average payment time to under 50 days
  • 4 weeks of holiday during which you don’t go into the office at all
  1. Make a plan to achieve each goal - Once you’ve picked a few goals, come up with ways to achieve them. It could just be back-of-the-envelope thinking, or have a brainstorming session with your team or your advisers (give us a call!). When you have a plan in place, do your best to follow through and make it happen.
  2. Keep monitoring your progress - Check in each month to see how you’re tracking with your goals. Set yourself reminders on your calendar or make it part of your invoicing cycle. If you’re not quite on track, you can make tweaks or come up with some fresh ideas to help you reach your targets.
  3. Plan a celebration! - Give yourself a good reason to keep striving for your goals. It might be a long lunch, a trip to the movies, a manicure, or a beer advent calendar next December. Something you’ll enjoy that’s not going to blow the budget.


We can help

Not sure what your goals should be or how to monitor them? We can show you where to find the information you need, how to check on it, or keep an eye on it for you.

Our team also has some fantastic ideas for how to reach your goals and build your business – get in touch!


5 signs you’re undercharging
August 28, 2025
Are you undercharging for your fees? We’ve got the five warning signs that can help you diagnose whether your prices are too low.
Interest rates come down: how could this affect your business finances?
August 28, 2025
The Reserve Bank of Australia has lowered interest rates. What does a drop in interest rates mean for you, your business and your financial opportunities?
The right to work from home: the potential impact for your employees and business
August 28, 2025
Proposed legislation from the Victorian Labor Government could offer your employees the right to work from home 2 days per week. We’ve outlined how to make the most of WFH.
Should you buy or lease your business assets?
August 28, 2025
Should you buy or lease your new equipment? Here are some pros and cons of each. We also can review your financial position, cashflow and cost base to decide whether buying or leasing is the right thing for your business.
The ATO's new Tax Toolkit for small business owners
August 28, 2025
The ATO’s updated Tax Time toolkit is your 101 guide to business taxes. We’ve summarised the key resources you can find in this toolkit, with links to the ATO site.
Selling your business: what happens once you exit?
June 18, 2025
You’ve sold your business! But what happens now!? We’ve outlined five potential pathways your post-sale life could take, and how they help you find new goals and lifestyles.
Selling your business: getting a good deal
June 18, 2025
Are you ready to sell your business? Here are six important ways to secure the best deal, through solid negotiation and a deep understanding of your core strengths as a company.
Getting help with your small business debt
June 18, 2025
Is your business debt getting out of control? Come and talk to us about strategies for reducing debt and getting cashflow under control.
What are your business goals for the year ahead?
June 18, 2025
What will you do differently this year to enable your business to thrive? Conducting a past-year review with our experienced advisors will provide valuable insights for this year's goal-setting.
ATO Announces 2025 Tax Compliance Priorities
May 29, 2025
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has unveiled its compliance focus areas for the 2025 tax year, highlighting the importance of accurate claims and thorough record-keeping, particularly for small businesses and individuals.