There’s a time to celebrate progress and a time to focus on results – here’s when to switch.
Success in business is never absolute.
This is the time of year you might be taking stock of where you are today and where you’re going next.
For some, the only way to measure success is against an unambiguous set of targets. Did we do what we set out to do this year? What does the dashboard tell us?
For others, the results are a by-product of the journey. They trust that focusing on daily excellence will create great outcomes. However, sometimes things are messy and unpredictable, so what matters most is making smart choices and moving in the right direction.
Your business needs attention to both the direction you’re moving, and your milestone results… but trying to do both at once can feel like trying to sprint while watching your feet.
When to Focus on Outcomes
1. When you’re trusting your team to get it right.
A manager’s job is to communicate the outcomes, then step back. When you define success clearly you give your team room to think, problem-solve, and own their work. Hovering over every step doesn’t get you to the goal faster, it makes everyone miserable on the way there.
2. When you have a strategic decision to make.
What’s actually getting results? Not what feels right, not what worked last year, but what the numbers tell you is working now. Strategy without results is just philosophy. Look at the scoreboard, then decide where to play next.
3. When you can’t do everything on your To Do list.
What outcome matters most? If you don’t know where you’re going, every road looks equally important. Start with the finish line, then reverse-engineer your to-do list from there.
When to Focus on Progress
Here’s where things get tricky: sometimes you have to zoom in on the steps instead of the endpoint.
1. When you’re measuring an intangible.
Maybe you’re showing up differently – asking more questions, reacting less, coaching more, delegating sooner… Your business grows when you grow as a person and a leader, but that growth isn’t necessarily going to show up on a spreadsheet.
2. When you’re compounding results over time.
Kaizen teaches us that continuous incremental improvements compound over time. Small, consistent tweaks in the right direction add up fast, but the early results are barely noticeable. Focus on making today’s version 1% better than yesterday’s, and give it time.
3. When you’re stretching your comfort zone.
Learning something new means allowing yourself to make mistakes. If you’re measuring yourself only by outcomes while you’re still figuring things out, you’ll quit before you get good. Give yourself permission to be bad at something long enough to get better at it.
This Week’s Takeaway
Saying “trust the process” only works when the process is leading you somewhere.
And saying “results matter most” only works when you’re ready to produce them.
Get clear on the results you’re working toward, but then focus on making progress. Know the destination, but don’t confuse it with the drive.
Ready For Your Most Successful Quarter Ever?
At GrowthCLUB, I’ll help you build a plan you can actually follow. You’ll leave with more energy, more clarity, and a newfound sense of confidence in your ability to take on the next quarter, and year.
Venue: In-person at The Living Arts Center in Mississauga
Time: 9:30am – 4:00pm, December 12th
Registration: $345 per person
Featuring: Networking, education, 2026 business planning resources, and a buffet lunch
If you’re tired of running in circles, if you’re overwhelmed by all the things you “should” be doing, or if you’re just ready to bring more focus and purpose into your business in 2026 – GrowthCLUB is the place for you!
Follow the link to register: caitlinblundell.actioncoach.com/growthclub
Unreasonable Hospitality: By Will Guidara
This book is a helpful reminder that even in busy, fast-moving businesses, a little imagination and genuine attention can turn everyday moments into experiences people remember. With practical steps and uplifting stories, the author shares how a business can be transformed through small, intentional acts of care, both for guests and their own teams.
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