Ever set a clear goal...
...only to find yourself drifting six weeks later?

You’re not alone.

There’s a common pattern I see among consultancy owners who value freedom and flexibility.

You start strong. Then life happens.

An unexpected opportunity. A heavy client load. A big distraction.

Before you know it, you’re off-track and wondering why nothing’s moving forward like you planned.

I call it the Confusion Cycle.

And if you want to break it for good, you need a simple way to RESET.

Here’s how:

The RESET framework for consultancy traction

R: Reflect without judgement

First, if you’re stuck in the Confusion Cycle, don’t beat yourself up.

Smart people are especially prone to it.

We overcomplicate. We overthink. We get excited about too many possibilities.

Life throws curveballs. Priorities shift.
Accept it. Own it.
Then reset.

E: Establish a defining goal

You don’t need a dozen goals. You need one defining goal - the thing that, if achieved, makes everything else easier.

Use SMART criteria:

✅ Specific
✅ Measurable
✅ Achievable
✅ Relevant
✅ Time-bound

Everything you do should align with this defining goal - or it’s a distraction.

S: Set 3 priorities (Quarterly and weekly)

To avoid slipping back into chaos, keep it simple:

3️⃣ Three priorities per quarter.
3️⃣ Three priorities per week.

Not four. Not five. Three.

It’s enough to drive meaningful progress without creating overwhelm. (And if you smash your three weekly priorities early? Bonus points or some extra time out 😎.)

E: Execute simply and consistently

Long to-do lists kill momentum.

Each week, pick your three tasks linked to your quarterly priorities - and work the plan.
Delegate or automate where you can.
Don’t plan more. Don’t complicate it.

Stay simple. Stay consistent.

T: Track and tune your progress

Each week, reflect:

• Did I complete my three priorities?

• Are my quarterly priorities on track?

• Am I moving toward my defining goal?

Each month, zoom out. Each quarter, reset.

If you find you’ve drifted off-course? No drama. Just go back to Reflect, and RESET.

When you keep things simple and focused, real traction comes faster than you think.