Does Your Success Feel as Solid as It Looks?
Do you have a financial tic?
I think I’ve identified mine. 😀 And I believe it’s a residual from years ago when my business was really struggling. Because every time I go into QuickBooks, after reconciling the most recent transactions, I run a P&L and check two numbers:
Total income: revenue
Net income: profit
I’m about to do my Q2 review because it’s both month-end and the end of the quarter. And while my year-to-date revenue and profit may not be where I want them to be, I am so very grateful for where I am. I’m proud of my numbers and eternally thankful to my clients!
So why am I telling you this?
If you’ve ever tried to sit on a three-legged stool with one leg wobbling, you know what happens: you’re constantly adjusting, bracing yourself, and hoping you don’t fall off.
You don’t feel sturdy.
You don’t feel confident.
That’s exactly what it can feel like when you’re trying to manage your money — whether in business or your personal life — with an uneven focus on just one element of your financial picture.
In both business and life, you’re balancing a three-legged stool made up of revenue, profit, and cash flow.
Each leg plays a different role — and each tells only part of the story.
Because here’s the truth: Numbers never tell the full story.
They offer signals, but not the complete narrative.
Let’s break it down:
Revenue tells you what came in. But the number alone doesn’t tell you how you earned it, what it cost you emotionally, or whether that revenue came from your most aligned work.
Profit tells you that you earned more than you spent. But it doesn’t reveal which products or services are actually pulling their weight — or draining your time and energy.
Expenses tell you what went out the door. But they don’t say whether you’re optimizing what I call the bottom portion of your income statement — the area where intentional spending can unlock more value, capacity, or clarity.
Cash flow shows you how money is moving through your system — in and out. But even that can be deceptive. For instance, you might show a profit for the month, but your bank account is low because a major client hasn’t paid their invoice yet. Or, perhaps the timing of your expenses is lopsided — with more bills due at the beginning of the month than the end (or vice versa). So you’re “profitable”...but still stressed about payroll.
And when the goal becomes profit at all costs, one of those legs usually gets sacrificed:
You slash expenses…but cut things that actually support your growth. Or, defer making an investment that will contribute to your growth.
You over-rely on a high-revenue offer…that you secretly dread providing. Or, perhaps you’ve underestimated how much that offer (or client segment) contributes to your bottom-line — and you’re caught off guard when the market shifts and sales slow down.
You celebrate profitability…while ignoring the timing and rhythm of your cash flow, which leaves you anxious or overextended.
Most of us don’t do any of this intentionally.
Yet, these trade-offs accumulate and come with consequences, which can distort your decision-making. And they can create a business (or household) that looks successful on the outside…but feels brittle underneath.
So my invitation to you this week is to step back and ask yourself:
Where am I optimizing for the number, but missing the nuance?
What am I not seeing because I’m only looking at the spreadsheet, not what’s underneath the numbers in it?
Which “leg” of my stool needs more support, more honesty, or a different approach?
You deserve a financial setup that not only looks good on paper — but also feels good in real life.
Because success without stability and sustainability?
That’s a hidden cost you don’t need to pay.
In my own business, this is something I’m on the look out for. And it’s the same thing I’m on the look out for with my clients.
Because sustainable success isn’t just about hitting the numbers — it’s about making sure those numbers mean something.
So, if you’re noticing that your three-legged stool could use more support — and you’re ready to get (more) intentional about aligning your revenue, profit, and cash flow, let’s talk. Together, we’ll bring strategy, clarity, and confidence to your business or personal finances — so that your success feels as solid as it looks.
About Jacquette
I love to ask questions and spark aha moments. I love to talk about why success with money is about more than just the numbers, and how the cultural impact on the intersection of money, business, and life matters–A LOT! And, I really hope I help people feel seen, heard, and not judged—especially since money is emotional and personal.
