If your 10-year goal is the North Star guiding your business, then your 3-year target is the compass keeping you on course. By December 2027, our business, Mastermind9 will generate £850k in revenue, with a profit of £255k at a 30% margin. But, as you’d expect from me, ”The Business and Life Balanced Guy”  it’s far from being just about the numbers. 

In 3 years, we’ll have a business that feels radically different, primed for the next step towards our 2034 vision. Sarah and I will continue to build our amazing team, we will have a Managing Director in place and at least 2 world-class facilitators for our groups. 

The best bit, the business will be “Close” to working without us, we will be able to travel and take our boy to weird and wonderful places and give him an education in travel, culture and adventure that a traditional education can’t match.

Here’s the thing: you can’t decide on your 3-year goals without knowing where you’re headed long-term. That’s the beauty of having one. It gives you clarity about what needs to happen in the short term to ensure you’re on track. As Stephen Covey said, “Begin with the end in mind.”

What will our business look like in 2027?

Our 3-year target is more specific than the 10-year goal. It’s a snapshot of the business we’re building and what it will look like in 36 months.

Here’s where we’re headed by the end of 2027:

• Revenue: £850k
• Profit: £255k (30% profit margin)
• Team: A core team of 12 people, supported by specialists and freelancers to scale where needed.
• Systems: Fully automated onboarding and client management processes, freeing up the team to focus on growth and delivery.
• Markets: Expansion into 2 new geographic markets, targeting high-growth small businesses in neighbouring regions.
• Clients: 35 Mastermind groups, supporting 315 clients (primarily) across the UK.
• Brand: Mastermind9 will be recognised as the go-to business support group for small business owners with 1–20 team members.

Having this clear snapshot allows us to break the big 10-year plan into actionable steps. With this level of specificity, we can measure progress, pivot when necessary, and keep ourselves accountable.

Why is the 3-Year Target so Powerful?

The 3-year target acts as a bridge between the long-term vision and what you need to focus on today. Michael Gerber, in The E-Myth Revisited, reminds us that working on your business (not just in it) requires intentionality. A 3-year plan gives you that focus. It turns our BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) and aspirations, a decade in the future into tangible milestones you can start to act on now.

Build Your 3-Year Plan with These Questions

To set your 3-year target, ask yourself these key questions (and then write the answer down) :

1. What will your profit (£) be?
   Be realistic but ambitious. This is your measure of success.
2. What profit margin will you aim for?
   Your margins might grow over time, but know what’s achievable in the short term.
3. What will your revenue look like?
   This sets the scale of your efforts for the next 3 years.
4. What will your business look like?
   Think team size, systems, markets, clients, and brand presence. Paint a picture of the business you’re building. Bullet points will do. 

Covey said it best: “All things are created twice. There’s a mental or first creation, and a physical or second creation to all things.” Your 3-year target is that first creation. Decide on your 2027 now, and start building the systems, team, and momentum to get you there.

Setting a 3-year target is a game-changer for turning your big vision into something real and doable. 

By breaking down your 10-year goals into specific milestones—like revenue, profit, team growth, and expanding into new markets—you’ve got a clear plan to keep your business moving in the right direction. 

It’s not just about the numbers; it’s about building a business that runs smoothly, giving you the freedom to enjoy life and focus on what truly matters. Nail your 2027 target now, and everything you do from here on out will help make that future happen.

Check out a similar post on How to Create a 10-Year Goal for Your Business.