It is common for me when I get a new client or I’m talking to a new prospective client.
I really do recommend Stephen Covey. Seven Habits all the Time.
Especially someone who is struggling to get their arms around their life and where they want to go with their business. It’s the same thing I described from my own business is that they have to then use those habits to envision where they want to go with their life, what personal mission statement they want, how that affects the business model that they create and the mission statement for the business.
Going through the re envision reiterations and then a brand new business. I try to get the clients to focus on performing the core competencies of that business because if they try to delegate the thing that a client is coming to them for, To paying them money for. That’s the critical core competency.
In the early stages, that really needs to be on the business owners. The small business owner shoulders now. Later on, as the business has success and it’s growing, there is a point where the business owner leads to morph out of doing the work and then start working on the business in order to focus on the things that really need to get done. The other heavy habits of putting first things first and what have you. But I see a lot of times people work on the business in the beginning and not in it, and that’s a huge mistake. And then later on they’re working in the business when they should be working on it.
When you’re starting a new business, you’re probably thinking about everything that needs to happen right now. That urgency can be motivating, but it also makes it easy to lose sight of where you’re actually trying to go.
At Dunn CPA Firm, we often reference Stephen Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People with clients, especially those who feel overwhelmed or uncertain about how their business fits into the bigger picture of their life. One of the most valuable principles is to begin with the end in mind.
A Personal Mission That Informs Your Business
Before you can shape a strong business model, you have to know what you’re building it for.
Defining a personal mission statement—what matters most to you, what kind of life you want to build and how your business supports that—creates clarity. That clarity becomes your foundation. It helps you make better decisions and gives your work more meaning, especially when things get hard.
The most successful small business owners we work with are those who align their business with a clear personal mission. That alignment helps guide how they structure their business, how they serve their clients and how they grow.
Master the Core Before You Delegate
In the early stages, it’s important that business owners take the lead on performing the core competencies of their business (meaning the work clients are actually paying them for). That hands-on experience is what builds understanding, shapes client relationships, and ultimately informs a stronger mission and strategy.
Outsourcing too soon can lead to disconnection. If you don’t fully understand the service you’re offering or what makes it valuable to your clients, it’s difficult to lead a business that’s built to last.
As your business grows, you’ll eventually need to shift your role, and spend less time in the day-to-day and more time on the business itself. That transition is a natural part of sustainable growth. But it only works well if you’ve built a solid foundation and a team that shares your vision.
Growth Requires a Strong Foundation
Without clarity and intention, it’s easy to get stuck either trying to do everything yourself or stepping back too soon without the right support in place.
But when your business is rooted in a clear personal mission, and you’ve taken the time to build the right structure and team, it becomes much easier to scale with confidence. You’re not just reacting to what’s happening today—you’re working toward something bigger, with the systems and support to get there.
