The Two Forces Separating Decamillionaires from the Struggling Majority: Clarity & Execution

Did you know that 30% of small businesses fail within their first two years? And by the ten-year mark, only around 35% are still operating. The numbers don’t lie. Most entrepreneurs won’t make it, not because they aren’t smart, but because they fail to master the two most important skills in business: Clarity and Execution. (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

However, these are broad statistics. Certain industries have even worse survival rates. In one of my previous companies, a Registered Investment Advisor Firm, the success rates were nearly half of these statistics—making the need for clarity and execution even more critical.

I’ve spent decades scaling businesses, achieving seven and eight-figure exits, and coaching entrepreneurs who are fighting to break through the barriers holding them back. I’ve also helped dozens of businesses scale to eight and nine-figure valuations. And I’ve seen firsthand that the difference between those who succeed and those who fade into obscurity boils down to these two factors.

So today, we’re getting brutally honest. Here’s why a lack of clarity and weak execution are the silent killers of your business—and exactly what to do about it.

Clarity: The Foundation of Every Decision You Make

Let’s start with a simple question: Do you actually know where you’re going?

• What is your one primary business goal over the next 12 months?
• What type of clients do you actually want to work with?
• How much revenue do you need to maintain or improve your lifestyle?

If you don’t have concrete answers to these questions, you’re winging it—and that’s why you’re stuck.

The Real Reason Most Business Owners Struggle

Every struggling business owner I’ve talked to recently says the same things:

• “I just can’t get enough clients.”
• “I don’t know how to move upstream.”
• “I feel like I’m stuck at my desk and can’t get ahead.”

But when I dig deeper and ask where they actually want to be, the answers get fuzzy. If you don’t know exactly where you’re going, how will you ever get there?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 50% of businesses don’t make it past their fifth year. That’s why getting clear on your path now isn’t optional—it’s necessary for survival.

I remember working with a business owner who was pulling in millions in revenue but was exhausted and constantly micromanaging. When I asked what his goal was, he shrugged and said, “I just want things to be easier.” That’s not a goal—it’s a feeling. We had to get crystal clear on where he wanted his business to be before we could fix anything.

Execution: The Silent Killer of Success

Let’s say you’ve nailed clarity. You know what you want.

Now what? Execution.

And guess what? Most business owners suck at execution. They spend time:

• Tinkering with software instead of selling.
• Endlessly tweaking their website instead of talking to prospects.
• Consuming information instead of applying it.

I’ll say it again: Execution is the secret.

A lot of business owners get stuck in paralysis by analysis—they overthink every move, waiting for the “perfect time” to act. Others fill their days with busywork, mistaking activity for progress.

One of my coaching clients—a brilliant business owner—spent hours tweaking spreadsheets to refine his pricing model but never raised his prices. When he finally did, his margins increased overnight, and he realized he had been holding himself back for years.

But here’s the brutal truth: The most successful people in business don’t wait for the perfect time. They move, adjust, and refine as they go.

The Two-Step Plan for Winning (That Most People Ignore)

Step 1: Get Crystal Clear on the ONE Thing That Matters

Forget the 20 goals you think you need to hit. Pick ONE.

If you could only accomplish one thing in the next 12 months that would change your business forever, what would it be?

• Doubling your revenue?
• Shifting to a higher-paying client base?
• Building a business that runs without you?

Write it down. That’s your North Star.

Step 2: Ruthlessly Execute on That Goal Every Single Day

Here’s where most people fail—they don’t protect their time for what actually matters.

Every single day, write down the ONE thing that must happen to move your business forward. Before answering emails, before checking social media, before drowning in meetings—get it done first.

• If client acquisition is your goal, block out two hours every day for prospecting.
• If scaling your business is your goal, block out time to build systems.
• If increasing revenue is your goal, review your pricing, packaging, and sales process daily.

Bonus: Audit Your Time Like Your Business Depends on It (Because It Does)

Ever feel like you’re working all the time but getting nowhere?

Then it’s time for a brutal reality check: Track your time.

For one week, write down everything you do in 30-minute increments. Then, categorize each task:

✅ Moves me closer to my primary goal.

❌ Busywork that doesn’t actually matter.

When you’re honest with yourself, you’ll see just how much time is wasted on low-value distractions. Cut the fluff and focus on execution.

Final Thought: The Only Thing Standing in Your Way is You

Let me be clear: If you’re stuck, it’s not because the economy is bad. It’s not because there’s too much competition. It’s not because “people just don’t get what I do.”

It’s because you lack clarity and you aren’t executing. Period.

The good news? Both are fixable.

• Get clear on exactly what you want.
• Stop overthinking and take massive action.
• Track your time and eliminate distractions.
• Commit to execution every single day.

If you’re serious about breaking through and finally scaling your business, let’s map out a strategy together.

Book a FREE STRATEGY CALL with one of our experts today, and let’s create the game plan you need to make the next 12 months your most profitable yet.

No more spinning your wheels. No more guessing. Just clarity, execution, and results.