How Predictability (and a Boring Business) Fuels Growth

🏆 Welcome to This Week’s Profit First Accountant Newsletter!

🕐 Estimated Read Time: 5 Minutes

Hi Everyone,

It’s Stephen Edwards from Gro Profit First Accountants, and welcome to this week’s Profit First Accountant Newsletter.

As 2025 wraps up, I want to share something that’s resonated deeply with me this year and will shape my approach for 2026. Every year, I choose a theme—a guiding principle that keeps me grounded and focused through all the ups and downs. And honestly, I find it much more effective than setting short-term goals or dopamine-charged New Year’s resolutions that fade by February.

We still set 10-year visions, 3-year and 1-year targets, and 90-day goals—but the reality for many business owners is that those goals get buried under endless to-do lists. That’s why a strong theme can provide clarity and energy that lasts.

📌 This Week’s Key Topic: Why “Boring Is Brilliant” in Business

You might have heard my 2025 theme was “Less is More.” It was about simplifying, cutting through the noise, and focusing on the few things that make the biggest impact (hello, 80/20 rule!).

Now, for 2026, my new theme is this:

Yes, you read that right.

I know it sounds uninspiring, but let me explain: a boring business is a brilliant business.

Here’s the truth: if your business feels too “exciting,” it often means too much change, too many ideas, and not enough consistency. And that kills progress.

As entrepreneurs, we love learning, creating, experimenting—new apps, new tools, new services (I’m a fan of AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, Replit, Manus, Sintra). But constantly chasing shiny objects just feeds our dopamine, while distracting us from building solid foundations.

I’m someone who comes up with 10 new ideas a week. But I’ve learned that great businesses aren’t built on chaos. They’re built on:

• Consistency

• Predictability

• Systems

• Structure

Look at McDonald’s: they’ve mastered consistency. Two-thirds of their menu rarely changes. They innovate, yes—but only in small, systemised ways. That’s what creates scalability.

🚨 The Ceiling of Complexity

If you’ve grown from £250K to £500K in revenue and now feel stuck, you might be hitting what I call a Ceiling of Complexity. It’s where your systems break down and everything feels harder.

To break through it, you need to:

• Systemise

• Simplify

• Structure your team

• Focus on predictability

Predictable businesses avoid surprises, manage cash flow better, and deliver better service.

🏓 Real-Life Analogy: Table Tennis in Florida

This summer in Florida, my son and I got obsessed with table tennis. We’re both competitive, so I started learning flashy shots on YouTube. But I kept losing. Why? I lost consistency.

When I went back to basics—solid backhand returns, safe play, staying in the game—I started winning. Then I added a few flourishes when needed. That’s how you win in business too. The “boring” backhand wins 80% of the time.

⚖️ Innovation vs. Execution

Don’t get me wrong—I love innovation. AI is going to transform everything. You must think about how the future will affect your business model, your team, and your customers.

But most of your time should be focused on what’s working now. That’s where the profits and predictability lie.

🎯 Questions to Ask in 2026

Every time a new idea excites you, ask yourself:

• Does this make my business more boring (aka systemised, predictable)?

• Or is it just adding noise and excitement?

• Am I doubling down on what’s already working?

🎄 What’s Coming in January

As we head into Christmas, I want to wish you all a fantastic break and thank you for being part of this amazing community.

In January, I’ll be running our Business Planning Workshop—a great way to start 2026 with clarity. I’ll be sharing full details soon.

Until then, I hope you get some rest, reconnect with family, and come back ready to build your best (and most boring) year yet!

Warm regards,

Stephen Edwards
Profit First Accountant & Business Coach
[email protected]

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