It’s that time of year when New Year’s resolutions start to fade — but your business goals don’t have to follow suit. Now’s the perfect moment to reassess and refocus. And if this all feels like déjà vu, it might be time to try a fresh approach: Continue, Do More, Start, Stop.
Over the past six years at Flynn Barrett Consulting, we’ve had the privilege of partnering with organizations across industries, tackling challenges that have shaped us as a fractional CHRO and as a business. Along the way, we’ve learned countless lessons about what drives success — and what holds it back. One of the most eye-opening realizations we’ve come to is this: the traditional business goal-setting process, which is widely accepted as standard practice, has been largely ineffective for us and many of our clients.
As HR consultants, we’ve learned that flexibility and adaptability are essential to any growing business. Personally, I’ve found the rigid framework of annual goal setting, shaped by classic business school principles, has often felt more like a burden than a benefit. In fact, in some cases, I’ve found it to be downright restrictive! My business development goals don’t always align neatly with my clients’ needs, and forcing it all into an inflexible structure has not served us well over the years.
In that time, I’ve tried many different techniques and adopted a select few. However, there is one methodology which I now use every time I sit down to set personal and business goals.
As an example, the classic SMART Goal-Setting Framework (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) goals can often feel overly structured and bureaucratic. They are an incredibly powerful tool for the right situation, but sometimes they can feel overwhelming to accomplish. I have become a huge proponent of Continue, Do More, Start, Stop.
Now, I didn’t invent this (though I have modified it and mentioned it in the past) — and granted, it’s not quite as catchy or memorable as “SMART” — but to me, the Continue, Do More, Start, Stop framework has been particularly effective for my business in four BIG ways:
- Continue, Do More, Start, Stop goals tend to be more realistic because they begin with an honest evaluation of your current reality.
Unlike traditional goal-setting methods that often start with lofty ambitions or future-focused benchmarks, this approach anchors you in the here and now by asking: What’s working? What’s not? - The “Continue” and “Do More” aspect of the goals emphasize building on what’s already working.
By first identifying what you should continue doing and what deserves more effort, you naturally focus your attention on the things that drive success. Once these goals are clear, you can consider adding or removing activities (“Start” and “Stop”) to further reinforce that success. - “Continue”, “Do More”, “Start”, and “Stop” are inherently actionable and measurable goals.
When phrased properly, each objective is a behavior-based metric. So, as long as those positive or negative behaviors are meaningful and directly related to your desired outcomes, the intentional actions you take will absolutely have a measurable impact. - These behavior-based goals are reassuringly flexible.
This is one that tends to get lost in a traditional business goal (perhaps intentionally), because circumstances change. By regularly revisiting what you’re stopping, starting, amplifying, or scaling back, you can stay aligned or recalibrate your focus with shifting priorities, evolving business needs, or personal growth.
As this approach focuses less on rigid benchmarks and more on meaningful reflection of behavior, I ask myself these four simple questions which have consistently led to more personal and professional growth than any other method I’ve tried. So let’s take a closer look at how I applied each of these to our HR consulting firm in 2025:
1. Continue
What has been helpful that I should CONTINUE practicing?
The first step in my reflective process is identifying the habits and practices that have positively influenced my professional life. For me, this begins with my commitment to working with open-minded clients, regardless of their industry or stage of business. I’ve found immense fulfillment in supporting family offices, start-ups, non-profits, and organizations new to professional people practices.
These clients often require significant effort, particularly when explaining compliance rules or implementing proper processes. However, when they approach the work with a willingness to collaborate — whether or not they fully agree with my suggestions — the experience becomes incredibly rewarding. Healthy discussions and respectful decision-making make all the difference. Looking ahead, I remain committed to prioritizing open-mindedness and mutual respect in my client relationships, as these values consistently foster the most meaningful and impactful outcomes for our firm.
2. Do More
What has shown signs of promise that I should DO MORE of?
Reflection helps me identify the practices that have proven beneficial and focus on amplifying them. For example, I’ve been fortunate to build meaningful relationships with clients and colleagues who have become trusted friends. In the past, I often stretched myself too thin by trying to maintain a wide web of superficial connections. Moving forward, I’m committed to investing more time and energy into nurturing deeper, more authentic relationships that truly matter.
Another area I want to expand is helping my clients overcome their fear of AI. Many companies are so intimidated by AI that they avoid discussing it with employees, let alone implementing strategies around it. This hesitation represents a missed opportunity. I’m passionate about guiding organizations to embrace AI in ways that enhance their operations and empower their teams, turning uncertainty into confidence and growth.
Now it’s your turn — think about what you’d like to do more of in your own practice or life. What activities or habits bring you the most value and fulfillment? How can you focus your efforts to maximize their benefits?
3. Start
What new practice should I START to help improve further?
Each year, I challenge myself to identify a new practice to integrate — something that enhances my business operations or supports my personal well-being. A few years ago, I made the decision to hire a virtual assistant to manage administrative tasks like invoicing and billing, which are my least favorite parts of the business. This change was transformative, freeing up my time to focus on the work I truly enjoy — spending more time with my clients.
This year, I’m exploring new business strategies or time-saving tools, though I haven’t yet settled on what that might be. (If you have suggestions, I’d love to hear them!) On a personal level, I’ve committed to making mindfulness meditation a daily habit. While I dabbled in meditation during COVID, I’m now ready to establish it as a consistent practice. I believe it will not only enhance my overall wellness but also make me a better consultant, wife, mother, and friend.
What about you? Is there a new habit, tool, or strategy that could enhance your professional or personal life? Don’t hesitate to experiment — you never know what small change might make a big difference.
4. Stop
What has proven unhelpful that I should STOP doing?
Acknowledging what isn’t working — and having the courage to let it go — is just as important as recognizing what is. One hard lesson I’ve learned is that working with rude, disrespectful, or micromanaging leaders is simply not worth the stress. If a client consistently exhibits toxic behavior toward their team — or, worse, toward me — it’s a clear signal that it’s time to part ways.
I’ve reached a point where I’m comfortable walking away from these situations. Life is too short to tolerate unnecessary negativity, and I’ve discovered that letting go of these partnerships creates space for more fulfilling and rewarding opportunities.
For anyone reading this, I encourage you to take an honest look at the practices, relationships, or commitments in your life that aren’t serving you. Sometimes, the most productive step you can take is to stop doing something that’s holding you back. While it can feel risky — particularly in the business world, where ending a relationship might mean sacrificing income or potential networking opportunities — it’s worth asking yourself: Are those benefits worth compromising your values and goals?
Letting go of a bad business relationship can be painful in the short term, but in the long term, it opens the door to opportunities that better align with your vision and priorities.
If Your Goals Have Fallen Flat…
Now, I want to be clear: I’m not here to disparage SMART goals or any other framework. If it works for you… awesome! Stick with what works. They just haven’t been all that effective for us.
If you’ve also found traditional business goal-setting to be more painful than productive, it might be time to consider a new approach. Reflecting on what to Continue, Do More of, Start, and Stop allows you to create a goal-setting methodology that’s tailored to your unique needs, behaviors, and aspirations.
Again, there’s not a “right way” to set goals. The most important thing is to commit to the process and follow through. Find an approach that aligns with your goals and values, and don’t hesitate to adjust it as you grow. By embracing reflection and intentionality, you can set yourself—and your team—on a path to meaningful progress.
If your business goal-setting process has fallen flat in the past and you’re ready to try a new approach, we’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re looking for hands-on help to set goals that support meaningful growth or simply need advice, we’re here to help. Send us a message for a free consultation, and let’s create a strategy that drives lasting success.
