Have you ever been so focused on the destination that you overlooked the details that make it possible?
I was looking forward to getting back on my favorite running trail this week.
As I stretched before leaving, I set my phone on the back bumper of my truck, just as I have done many times before. The only difference was that I was running later than usual, and I was eager to get on the road.
A couple of miles into the drive, I reached over to the center console for my phone. It was not there.
My stomach sank.
The last place I remembered seeing it was on the back bumper.
I pulled over, fully expecting to retrace my route in search of a shattered phone. Instead, I found it still clinging to the bumper as though it had decided to give me one more chance.
As relieved as I was, the experience reminded me of a lesson I see all the time as a CFO.
Business owners naturally get excited about the visible milestones: landing a new client, launching a product, hiring a key employee, or closing a major deal. Those are the moments worth celebrating.
However, long-term success is usually determined by the less glamorous habits that happen behind the scenes.
Reviewing cash flow.
Reconciling accounts.
Watching gross margins.
Following up on receivables.
Measuring key performance indicators.
Those financial disciplines may not generate the same excitement as closing the next big sale, but they are often what keep a business from heading toward an avoidable crisis.
The businesses that enjoy the greatest peace of mind are rarely the ones making the most headlines. They are the ones that consistently pay attention to the details that others overlook.
Sometimes the smallest habits protect what matters most.
And yes... the photo is proof that my phone survived the ride. Next time, it will be riding inside the truck instead.
Rusty Fulling
#Leadership #CashFlow #CFO #BusinessGrowth #FinancialLeadership #Entrepreneurship