What to Do If You Are Falling Behind This Year

A B C S UK™
Sep 21
2 min read

Missed your targets? Behind on your goals? Spoiler: You’re not alone.

For many UK small-business owners, the final quarter can feel like a sprint when you’re already out of breath. The good news is there’s still time to reset and finish strong. Here’s how to turn a disappointing year into a powerful Q4 comeback.

1. Stop and Take an Honest Look

Before you dive into more action, pause. It sounds counter-intuitive I know, but you need to review your numbers, marketing metrics and client feedback before diving into doing all the things.

What worked? Maybe a specific service or campaign outperformed expectations.
What didn’t? Identify projects that drained time and cash without delivering results.

This isn’t about beating yourself up; it’s about getting the facts. A clear financial snapshot including sales, profit margins and cash flow gives you the reality check you need to move forward clearly.

2. Choose One Priority for Q4

Trying to fix everything at once is the fastest way to fix nothing at all. Trust me, I've been there. Instead:

Pick one high-impact priority. It could be improving cash flow, raising prices or tightening your bookkeeping processes.
Set a specific, measurable goal you can track weekly. Small wins will help your mindset as you get back on track.

Focusing on a single priority also creates momentum and helps your team rally around a shared target if you have one.

3. Reset Financial Goals Based on Facts Not Guilt

It’s tempting to chase the revenue you wish you’d earned. Instead, base your Q4 goals on:

Current pipeline and realistic sales forecasts.
Accurate bookkeeping data (your bookkeeper/accountant can help here).
Seasonal trends in your industry.

This ensures you’re working toward achievable numbers rather than punishing yourself f#or what hasn’t happened.

4. Streamline and Delegate

A frantic year often reveals weak spots in systems. I often refer to them as holes in a leaky bucket. Now’s the perfect time to:

Automate routine tasks like Xero for bookkeeping, repetitive invoicing or scheduling tools for social media posts.
Delegate or outsource anything that’s not your zone of genius.

A leaner operation frees up the mental space you need to focus on strategy, not just survival.

5. Book a Free Discovery Call

Ready to reset your business before year-end? A B C S UK specialises in premium bookkeeping, accountancy and growth strategies for small businesses turning over £100k–£500k. Our qualified team will:

Review your current numbers.
Highlight quick wins for cash flow and profit.
Map out a personalised action plan for Q4 and beyond.

Book your free discovery call today to finish the year with confidence and start the next one on the front foot.

Summary

Falling behind isn’t failure, see it as valuable feedback. Use it to make smarter moves, tighten your systems and finish 2025 stronger than you started.

A B C S UK. Because your business deserves better.