Setting Intentions: "If you can break it down into 30 day, 60 day, 90 day increments with those intentions of what you're going to do to achieve the said goal, it becomes really attainable."
As we approach the end of the year, it's the perfect time for us, as entrepreneurs, to take a moment and reflect on our journey. We talk about setting meaningful intentions for the new year.
Key Takeaways
Set Clear Intentions Over Broad Goals: Rather than just having vague goals, define clear intentions and actionable steps to achieve them. It's not about saying "I will work out"; it's about planning when and how you will fit those workouts into your daily routine.
Break Down Your Goals: Avoid feeling overwhelmed by breaking down your goals into smaller, manageable increments. Whether it's a 30-day, 60-day, or 90-day plan, having short-term milestones makes long-term objectives more attainable.
Accountability is Crucial: Find someone to share your goals with and ask them to hold you accountable. This could be a partner, a colleague, or a friend. Accountability partners help keep you committed and motivated.
As we step into the new year, let's take these insights and set ourselves up for a year of success, growth, and meaningful accomplishments.
Running a business doesn’t have to run your life.
Without a business partner who holds you accountable, it’s easy to be so busy ‘doing’ business that you don’t have the right strategy to grow your business.
Stop letting your business run you. At Harper & Co CPA Plus, we know that you want to be empowered to build the lifestyle you envision. In order to do that you need a clear path to follow for success
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Glenn Harper, CPA, is the Owner and Managing Partner of Harper & Company CPAs Plus, a top 10 Managing Partner in the country (Accounting Today's 2022 MP Elite). His firm won the 2021 Luca Award for Firm of the Year.
An entrepreneur and speaker, Glenn transformed his firm into an advisory-focused practice, doubling revenue and profit in two years. He teaches entrepreneurs to build financial and operational excellence, speaks nationwide to CPA firm owners about running their businesses like entrepreneurs, and consults with firms across the country. Glenn enjoys golfing, fishing, hiking, cooking, and spending time with his family.
Julie Smith, MBA, is a serial entrepreneur in the public accounting space. She is the Founder of EmpowerCPA™, Founder of PureTax, LLC, COO for Harper & Company CPAs Plus, and Co-host of the Empowering Entrepreneurs podcast.
Named CPA.com's 2021 Innovative Practitioner of Year, Julie led Harper & Company's transition to an advisory-focused firm, doubling revenue and profit in two years. She now empowers other CPA firm owners nationwide through consulting and speaking, teaching them how to run their businesses like entrepreneurs. Julie lives in Columbus, OH with her family and enjoys travel, coaching basketball, sporting events, and the occasional shopping spree.
Copyright 2026 Glenn Harper
Transcripts
Glenn Harper [:
Hello, everyone. Welcome to another edition of Living Fast Forward. I'm Glenn Harper.
Julie Smith [:
Julie Smith.
Glenn Harper [:
What's going on, Julie?
Julie Smith [:
Well, you know, we're getting close to 2025.
Glenn Harper [:
Does that mean anything important?
Julie Smith [:
I mean, it's usually a good time to, like, reflect, have some awareness, maybe even set some intentions around 2025.
Glenn Harper [:
So you're saying that I should not set intentions of working out then not failure, eating right, giving up, getting out of shape.
Julie Smith [:
Well, I guess if you're saying
Glenn Harper [:
we should do something that should work.
Julie Smith [:
I mean, I guess if that's your goal, and I think that's the thing is just really, you know, as entrepreneurs reflecting on what was went really well in 2024, Maybe what do you wanna pivot in from in 2024 that maybe didn't go so well? Or, you know, what do you wanna accomplish in 2025? What are your intentions? Do you wanna take a step back and find some balance? Do you wanna put the pedal to the metal and really, you know, grow and scale your business this year? I think, again, it's just all about the, you know, reflection and awareness.
Glenn Harper [:
So you're probably saying I think the question would be is, let's set a a goal, a plan, an action item, or a series of events that's gonna give us the best opportunity for success in something that's probably the most influential and impactful thing that we do, which is probably our businesses.
Julie Smith [:
Yeah. I mean, I think, goals are great, but I really think, for me, it's about the intention. And I think it's about, sure, you have a goal, but what are you going to do to achieve that goal? Like, you could tell me every day of the week, you're gonna go work out, But when does working out work for you? Is it the morning? Is it the afternoon? Is it the evening? Like, what is your intention to achieve that goal?
Glenn Harper [:
I'm in the fitness. I'm in the fitness pizza in my mouth. Yes. So our goal has got to be it's really not a goal. It's like, what do you you have the ability as an entrepreneur generally to kinda map out your day, what you wanna do, how you wanna do it, who your what kind of customers you want, what kind of team you want, what's your intention gonna be. You have the ability to do that. Everybody does. We just don't make the time to do it.
Glenn Harper [:
So when you take a few minutes, this is the great time of the year to do it. It's usually slower in the end of the year, Christmas time, between Christmas and New Year's. And just put down, like, here's what I'd like to see happen. And make it broad goals, but action item steps that you can achieve your
Julie Smith [:
shift. Break it down even more. So, like, in January to achieve that goal for 2025, you're going you know, if we're going with the fitness theme, you're going to get up and set your alarm at 5 AM. And by 5:30 AM, you're going to be on the treadmill lifting weights, whatever the case is. And then maybe in February, you know, you do that, and maybe you start out at 10 minutes. And then in February, you're gonna carve out 20 minutes. Or maybe then you start doing something in addition to to achieve your fitness goal. But I think it's really important also is you know, we talk about this all the time is find someone that you can share those with.
Julie Smith [:
Because if you tell me that you're gonna get up and you're gonna be on the treadmill by 5:30, I am an early riser that likes to get up and workout. I'm gonna text you and ask you, are you on the treadmill at 5:30 AM?
Glenn Harper [:
Well, I don't wanna interrupt my circadian rhythm. I gotta make sure I do it at the right time, which I think is very important. No. I think to the to the point is, like, everybody has a thing that they know they need to work on. And that thing, just pick one thing. Just pick one thing that isn't important, set it on the calendar, set up the plan for it, and then execute on it. Don't get overwhelmed with everything. Just do the one thing.
Julie Smith [:
Yeah. And I think, again, it's when you set, like, a huge goal, it's so overwhelming. But I think if you can break it down into 30 day, 60 day, 90 day increments with those intentions of what you're going to do to achieve the said goal, it becomes really attainable. And finding someone to hold you accountable to do those things will really help keep your feet to the fire to make sure you're doing those. Yeah.
Glenn Harper [:
I think having somebody hold you accountable is the key, whether that's another consultant, a spousal unit, another employee, a team member, a best friend, whatever the takes, but somebody's gotta hold you accountable.
Julie Smith [:
Yeah. Absolutely.
Glenn Harper [:
And I
Julie Smith [:
think as soon as we you know, 2025 is gonna be a great year for everybody.
Glenn Harper [:
It's what they say. Wish you the best. Another edition of Living Fast Forward. I'm Glenn Harper.
