Growth
I Don't Know What Problem to Fix First
Everything feels urgent. Use the Business Priority Pyramid to find the one thing to fix next.
The Challenge
Everything feels urgent. Use the Business Priority Pyramid to find the one thing to fix next.
Why This Happens
- Too many problems competing for attention
- No framework for prioritizing
- Fixing symptoms instead of the foundation
- Reacting to whatever is loudest
Questions to Ask Yourself
- 1.Is there enough revenue coming in consistently? (Sales)
- 2.Is there money left after expenses and owner pay? (Profit)
- 3.Does the work run smoothly without heroics? (Order)
- 4.Is the business making the difference you want? (Impact)
- 5.Could it continue without you? (Legacy)
What to Do First
Take the priority check below.
Choose ONE level to focus on for 90 days.
Pick no more than three actions for that level.
Step-by-Step Solution
- 1
Identify every problem you're feeling.
- 2
Place each one on the pyramid: Sales, Profit, Order, Impact, Legacy.
- 3
Start at the lowest weak level.
- 4
Prepare: gather numbers and facts.
- 5
Discuss it with a mentor or the community.
- 6
Act on up to three actions.
- 7
Follow up in 30 days, then pass on what you learned.
Three Levels of Solutions
Quick Win
Do this today
Write every problem down and circle the one at the lowest level of the pyramid.
Build the System
Next 30 days
Spend 30 days working only on your current priority level.
Long-Term Transformation
Where you're headed
A business that fixes the right thing at the right time instead of everything at once.
Lessons From the Pass It On Library
From Fix This Next
Fix the most important need first — Sales, then Profit, then Order, Impact, Legacy.
Framework: Business Priority Pyramid: Sales → Profit → Order → Impact → Legacy
From Principles
Prioritize by root cause, not by whatever is loudest.
Framework: Mistake → Lesson → Principle → System
Pass It On Action
Name your current priority level and share it at the next meeting.
Your Priority Check
Find My Biggest Business Priority
Answer from the bottom of the pyramid up: Sales → Profit → Order → Impact → Legacy.
- 1. Sales: Do you have enough revenue coming in consistently?
- 2. Profit: Is there money left after expenses, taxes, and owner pay?
- 3. Order: Does the work run smoothly without you rescuing it?
- 4. Impact: Is the business making the difference you want for customers, team, and community?
- 5. Legacy: Could the business continue and grow without you?
Your Action Plans
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7-Day Action Plan
- Day 1 — Identify the problem: write down exactly how “I Don't Know What Problem to Fix First” shows up in your business.
- Day 2 — Review the numbers: gather the facts, figures, and examples connected to this challenge.
- Day 3 — Find the root cause: answer “Is there enough revenue coming in consistently? (Sales)”
- Day 4 — Choose one change: Take the priority check below.
- Day 5 — Assign responsibility: name ONE owner, a deadline, and the expected result.
- Day 6 — Implement: Choose ONE level to focus on for 90 days.
- Day 7 — Review what happened: what worked, what didn’t, and what you’ll do next week.
30-Day Action Plan
Week 1 — Diagnose
- Answer: Is there enough revenue coming in consistently? (Sales)
- Answer: Is there money left after expenses and owner pay? (Profit)
- Answer: Does the work run smoothly without heroics? (Order)
- Complete the 7-Day Action Plan.
Week 2 — Build
- Spend 30 days working only on your current priority level.
- Identify every problem you're feeling.
- Place each one on the pyramid: Sales, Profit, Order, Impact, Legacy.
- Start at the lowest weak level.
- Prepare: gather numbers and facts.
Week 3 — Implement
- Discuss it with a mentor or the community.
- Act on up to three actions.
- Follow up in 30 days, then pass on what you learned.
- Train the people involved and assign owners.
Week 4 — Measure & Improve
- Compare results to where you started.
- Write one lesson learned.
- Adjust the process.
- Share what you learned with someone in the fellowship.
Biblical Principles
Wisdom for the journey — encouraging stewardship, integrity, and service, never a promise of guaranteed success.
#47 · Money Management
Create a financial plan
Proverbs 21:5
#92 · Wisdom
Commit your plans to God
Proverbs 16:3
#94 · Wisdom
Control your emotions when making decisions
Proverbs 14:29
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