No matter which quarter you’re preparing for as a business owner, your Profit & Loss report can be intimidating. (Believe me, as the owner of several businesses with a big family to provide for, I’m right there with you.) But even though people in business often say ‘numbers are black and white’, I disagree. I think there’s color to be found between your wins and your learning moments. 

Expert Fatigue Is Real

First off, I want to dispel some of the mystique that exists around so-called ‘business expert’ influencers on social media. I personally have a weariness for those who pitch polished advice but haven’t touched a spreadsheet, stood behind a salon chair, or had a hard day in years. I once had a coach guide me through accounting—except he didn’t actually do his own accounting. He just reviewed numbers handed to him by someone else. That kind of disconnect matters. If you’re still in the weeds, you need advice from someone who gets the grind.

This isn’t me necessarily pitching myself as your next business coach, merely my advice to have a healthy skepticism and make sure that whoever you’re listening to actually walks the walk. 

The Real Planning Starts With Honesty

Not every week will be a win. When you look at your reports during certain quarters, they might read like alphabet soup. But the difference between burnout and breakthrough is often just persistence. You keep going. You put out the fire, and you adapt. You plan smarter next time.

Say It Out Loud to Someone 

Don’t just write goals down, bring someone you trust into the conversation, even if it’s your sister, your mentor, or your partner. The questions they ask (“Why this goal? How will you hit it?”) will help refine your thinking and ground your plans in reality.

Planning isn’t just logic—it’s sensory. Say your goals. Hear them. Feel them. What does the goal feel like in your body? What emotional energy are you bringing to your team or your work? Creativity and clarity often live just outside the spreadsheet.

Comparer Beware

Be careful who you idolize. “Joanne” might be making millions, but she eats takeout every night and no one’s inviting her to Thanksgiving because her stress is making her irritable. Success without balance isn’t sustainable. Don’t lose yourself trying to match someone else’s numbers, there are more statistics to consider than meets the eye.

Numbers Aren’t Identity

Profit & Loss is important, but messy is normal. Don’t confuse low numbers with low worth—or clean numbers with absolute success. Financial clarity is key, but so is perspective. Your inherent value isn’t on a spreadsheet. Your accountant isn’t the one dreaming your dream. They’re juggling dozens of clients. They’ll help you track expenses, but they’re not going to shape your five-year plan. That’s on you—isn’t that thrilling?

Yes, plan your year-end strategy. Set those P&L goals. But don’t forget the why. Don’t lose the joy, the curiosity, or the connection to what you’re building. Your real growth is in the gray areas, where numbers meet nuance and give the bigger picture its color. 

With grace,

Quinn

PS: Joanne, if you’re reading this please calm down—I’m not in business to rule the world. And besides, shaming others into a ‘not enough’ mindset is the opposite of inspiring. 😉