Business Planning

The Startup Metrics Investors Actually Care About (and Which Ones You Can Skip)

The Startup Metrics Investors Actually Care About (and Which Ones You Can Skip)

When founders hear “investor metrics,” they often think of complex SaaS dashboards full of acronyms — CAC, LTV, churn, MRR. But here’s the truth: most early-stage investors don’t expect all of those. What they do want is a clear financial story, backed by a few key numbers that prove your business is investable.

This guide breaks down the metrics that matter for small businesses and early-stage startups (the ones you must include), and the “nice-to-haves” that only apply if you’re building a high-growth tech venture.

The Daily Top 3 Method - How to Stay Focused Every Day

The Daily Top 3 Method - How to Stay Focused Every Day

Why your to-do list is working against you

Most entrepreneurs start the day with a long to-do list. By the evening, half the tasks are untouched and guilt sets in. The problem isn’t laziness — it’s overload.

A never-ending list creates decision fatigue. You don’t know where to start, so you bounce between tasks, answering emails, putting out fires, and never making progress on the things that truly matter.

The MY PA System – Plan, Focus, Execute

Why most planning systems fail

Entrepreneurs often juggle too many ideas at once. Some buy productivity tools, some download dozens of templates, and others rely on sticky notes scattered across their desks. The problem isn’t a lack of ambition — it’s the lack of a clear, repeatable system.

That’s why we built the MY PA system. It was designed to work for real entrepreneurs, not productivity gurus with unlimited free time. At its heart are three simple but powerful steps: Plan. Focus. Execute.

Step 1: Plan monthly

At the start of each month, you set up to five core goals. These goals aren’t vague resolutions, but clear, measurable outcomes. Each goal is then broken into projects and mapped into your monthly view.

Why monthly?

  • A year is too long — you’ll drift off course.

  • A week is too short — it feels like firefighting.

  • A month is just right — long enough to make progress, short enough to stay motivated.

👉 Example:

  • Goal: Gain 5 new paying clients.

  • Projects: Update service page, launch LinkedIn campaign, run 3 sales calls per week.

Step 2: Focus weekly

Every Sunday or Monday, you zoom in on your weekly priorities. From your projects, you choose the tasks that will move your goals forward this week. This prevents overwhelm and stops you from reacting to whatever feels urgent.

The weekly section in the MY PA planner helps you:

  • Review last week’s wins and lessons.

  • Choose 3–5 priorities for the week.

  • Time block the most important tasks.

This rhythm keeps your business moving forward in a straight line, not in circles.

Step 3: Execute daily

Big goals don’t get achieved in one heroic day. They happen through small, focused steps repeated consistently.

That’s why MY PA includes the Daily Top 3 Method — a simple but powerful practice. Each day, you choose the three tasks that matter most. If you complete nothing else, finishing these three will still move your business forward.

Pairing this with time blocking ensures those tasks actually get done, instead of being pushed aside by distractions.

The magic is in the connection

The real power of the MY PA system isn’t in any single step. It’s in how monthly planning, weekly focus, and daily execution fit together.

  • Monthly keeps your direction clear.

  • Weekly keeps your progress steady.

  • Daily keeps your actions sharp.

Most people plan, but they don’t connect the dots. MY PA makes sure every action you take is linked to your bigger goals.

Common pitfalls to avoid

  • Planning too many goals — stick to five or fewer.

  • Skipping weekly reviews — they’re the glue that keeps the system working.

  • Focusing on “busy work” instead of top priorities.

  • Forgetting to time block — without scheduling, important tasks often get lost.

Final thoughts

The MY PA system gives you structure without overwhelm. It’s not about filling every minute with tasks. It’s about working smarter — planning your direction, focusing on what matters, and executing daily with clarity.

👉 Download the Free Business Planner to try the MY PA system for yourself. Start with monthly goals, focus your week, and execute with confidence.

Go further

MY PA Business Planner 2026

Need more than a one-pager?

MY PA Business Planner (physical & digital) helps you plan weekly, track goals, and stay accountable.

See the Planner
Business Starter Kit

Ready for the complete system?

The Business Starter Kit bundles the planner with templates, financial tools, and a 30-day roadmap.

Explore the Starter Kit
Investor Kit

Raising funding?

Get investor-ready with structured planning, forecasts and checklists. (Investor Kit link set to Starter Kit as requested.)

See Investor Kit

Cash Flow 101 for Small Businesses

Cash Flow 101 for Small Businesses

Cash is the lifeblood of any business. It doesn’t matter how many sales you make if the money isn’t in your account when you need it. That’s why managing cash flow is one of the most important habits every entrepreneur can build.

This guide gives you the basics = what cash flow is, common mistakes, and simple steps you can take to keep your business healthy.

What is cash flow?

Business Plan Financials (Made Simple)

Business Plan Financials (Made Simple)

Numbers are often the part of business planning that scare people off. Spreadsheets, forecasts, break-even points, it can feel like a different language. But here’s the truth: you don’t need to be a financial expert to write simple, useful business plan financials.

With a few basic steps, you can build a financial picture that helps you make decisions, avoid nasty surprises, and,when the time comes ,show investors you’re serious.

Business Launch Checklist: 10 Steps Before You Start

Business Launch Checklist: 10 Steps Before You Start

Launching a business is exciting, but it can also feel like there’s a hundred things pulling at your attention. The truth is, you don’t need to do everything at once. What you need is a simple checklist that keeps you focused on the essentials.

This guide walks you through the 10 key steps every entrepreneur should tick off before, during, and right after launch. Follow them and you’ll avoid overwhelm, save money, and move with confidence.

How to Write a One-Page Business Plan

How to Write a One-Page Business Plan

Starting a business can feel overwhelming. You know you need a plan, but the thought of writing a 40-page document makes most people quit before they’ve even begun. That’s why thousands of entrepreneurs now use a one-page business plan.

It’s quick, focused, and gives you clarity without the fluff. You’ll walk away with a roadmap you can actually use — not a binder that sits on the shelf.

Simple Isn’t Easy

Simple Isn’t Easy

We hear it all the time:
“Keep it simple.”
“Simplicity is key.”
“Make it easy to use.”

And while that sounds like smart advice… it’s also one of the hardest things to actually pull off.

Because the truth is:
Simple is hard. Really hard.

It’s easy to add more.
More features. More pages. More options.
More “just in case” extras that end up confusing people instead of helping them.

What’s hard is the opposite:
Cutting. Clarifying. Stripping it back to only what matters.
Making something feel so intuitive that no one even notices how much work went into it — because it just works.

How to Free your Mind- The Secret to Running a Business Without the Overwhelm

How to Free your Mind- The Secret to Running a Business Without the Overwhelm

Ever find yourself constantly thinking about work—even when you're supposed to be relaxing?

(And yes, there’s a free planner at the end to help you fix it)

You sit down to relax. Maybe you're at the gym, watching a film, spending time with your kids, or just trying to switch off after a long day.

But your mind? It’s still running:

✔️ Did I reply to that email?

✔️ I need to follow up with that client. ✔️ I forgot to post today...

✔️ I should update the website… but when?

5-Step Framework to Go From Idea to Execution

Turning an idea into a thriving business requires more than just inspiration—it takes strategy, action, and resilience. Too often, entrepreneurs get stuck in the planning phase, overthinking every detail instead of taking tangible steps forward. If you’ve got an idea but don’t know where to start, this framework will help you move from concept to execution with confidence.