Why I Don’t Measure Business Growth by Numbers (and Why You Don’t Have to Either)
Numbers. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, they’ve become the way we measure everything. Instagram followers, email subscribers, how ‘liked’ we are, even our health 🙄... the list goes on. But here’s a little secret: I don’t measure my business growth by numbers (I don’t even look at my Instagram insights!), at least, not only by numbers…and I think you might enjoy letting them go, too.
Let’s face it - obsessing over metrics is exhausting. It can suck all the joy out of running a soulful business. So, I’ve decided to measure my success in a way that feels good, and has very little to do with spreadsheets. Let me share why.
Numbers Don’t Have Feelings (but You Do)
Sure, numbers look nice on paper, but they don’t tell you the whole story. Your income might double in a month, but what if you’ve been running on empty to get there? On the flip side, maybe fewer people joined your mailing list this quarter, but you had some amazing, meaningful conversations with the ones who did.
Numbers only scratch the surface, and they miss what’s truly important, and that is how aligned you feel with your purpose or how much value you’re creating for the right people. That’s where the magic happens!
Growth Is About People, Not Likes
Imagine your business is a café. Would you rather have a hundred people peek through the window and walk off, or a handful of regulars who come in for deep chats over coffee because they love what you stand for?
Real growth happens when you connect with people on a deeper level. It's when someone sends you a message to say your work has changed their life, not when your Instagram hits some arbitrary milestone. Numbers don’t build relationships, YOU do!
Slow and Steady Wins the Game
You know that annoying saying, “It’s a marathon, not a sprint”? Well, it’s true - we live in a world that glorifies speed! Fast wins, overnight success, viral content. But you know what’s actually sustainable? A slower pace. Time to think. Time to feel. Time to create something meaningful that you enjoy.
Your business isn’t a fast-food chain; it’s a Sunday roast where you sit, chat, and enjoy seconds. Slow growth is delicious, and it lasts!
Redefining Success Your Way
Here’s something to try: instead of immediately answering with numbers when someone asks, "How’s business going?", pause and take a moment to reflect (even if it’s just to yourself later). Ask yourself:
Am I attracting the right people?
Am I working with clients I genuinely love?
Do I feel happy, aligned, and confident about what I’m offering?
These questions are a better way to check in with how things are truly going for you. Success isn’t just about numbers—it’s about how your business makes you (and others) feel. And that’s something no spreadsheet can measure.
Let The Numbers Follow the Fun
Here’s the cherry on top: when you focus on building a business that feels good, where you’re doing what lights you up and creating genuine value, the numbers will often sort themselves out. They’ll follow you when the time’s right, and you won’t even need to stress over them.
So, what does growth look like for you? Maybe it’s a sense of calm. Maybe it’s making space to enjoy an actual lunch break. Maybe it’s hearing someone say, “I thought of you when I needed help.”
Whatever it is, it’s personal, and that’s exactly how it should be.
If this resonates with you (and if you’re sick of being told how to “scale your business fast”), drop me a message. Let’s chat about how to make your business work for you, and not the other way around.
Until next time,
Heather
