Don’t Move the Goalpost: It’s Easier to Advise Than to Do 8-6-25 - Becker Private Equity & Business Podcast

Summary3 min read

Becker Private Equity & Business Podcast Summary

Title: Don’t Move the Goalpost: It’s Easier to Advise Than to Do
Host: Scott Becker
Release Date: August 6, 2025

Introduction

In the August 6, 2025 episode of the Becker Private Equity & Business Podcast, host Scott Becker delves into the challenging yet common business pitfall of "moving the goalpost." This episode, titled "Don’t Move the Goalpost: It’s Easier to Advise Than to Do," explores the difficulties entrepreneurs face in maintaining consistent financial targets and the personal struggles of implementing the advice they often dispense to others.

Shout-Out to Collaborators

At the outset, Scott takes a moment to acknowledge the invaluable contributors to his podcast’s success:

Chanel Bunger, the podcast producer, whose expertise ensures the smooth running of each episode.
Jessica Jolliffe, from Becker's Healthcare, recognized as “the most amazing virtual assistant ever.”
Cosette Benjamin, another key supporter, praised for being “extremely helpful.”

“They’re just fantastic... the best in the business,” Scott expresses his heartfelt gratitude, underscoring the importance of a dedicated team in producing quality content. [00:00]

The Concept: Moving the Goalpost

Scott introduces the episode’s central theme: "Don’t move the goalpost." He articulates the frustration that arises when businesses continually shift their financial targets, making it increasingly difficult to achieve profitability.

“It’s easier to advise than to do,” Scott remarks, highlighting the universal truth that while strategizing is straightforward, execution often falters. [00:30]

Real-Life Example: A Friend’s Business Struggle

Scott narrates a story about a close friend who owns a business grappling with managing expenses. Despite achieving record revenues, the company fails to turn a profit because the financial targets are perpetually adjusted.

“They have the hardest time keeping expenses at the right target amount each month so that they don’t... they keep on moving the goalpost.” [01:15]

This continuous adjustment prevents the business from stabilizing its finances, as revenue growth is insufficient to cover the ever-increasing expenses. Scott illustrates how this behavior leads to stagnation and financial imbalance, emphasizing the critical need for consistent goal-setting.

Personal Reflection: Scott’s Own Business Challenges

Transitioning from his friend’s experience, Scott introspectively examines his own business practices. He acknowledges that, despite his expertise, he occasionally falls into the same trap of moving the goalpost.

“It is very easy for me to see the error in somebody else's ways, but not correct my own.” [02:00]

He candidly shares instances where, as he develops different businesses, he inadvertently shifts financial targets. This self-awareness not only humanizes Scott but also serves as a relatable lesson for listeners who may face similar challenges.

“I find myself... often guilty of making the same error myself, moving the goalpost, making harder and harder to get to the spot.” [02:45]

Lessons Learned and Conclusion

Scott synthesizes the discussion by reiterating the core message: maintaining consistent financial goals is crucial for business sustainability. He warns against the seductive nature of expanding expenses and the illusion of progress that comes with setting ever-higher targets.

“The moral of the story is... moving the goalpost, making harder and harder to get to the spot. We break even in that business.” [03:30]

This reflection serves as both a cautionary tale and a call to action for entrepreneurs to steadfastly adhere to their financial plans, resisting the urge to constantly elevate their benchmarks in pursuit of elusive profitability.

Acknowledgments and Closing Remarks

Scott concludes the episode by offering another round of thanks to his key collaborators—Chanel Bunger, Cosette Benjamin, and Jessica Jolliffe—praising their exceptional support and dedication.

“Thank you all for your amazing help. Just the best in the business.” [04:00]

He wraps up by expressing his gratitude to the listeners, reinforcing the podcast’s commitment to providing insightful discussions on private equity and business.

“Thank you for listening to the Becker Business Podcast, the Becker Private Equity Podcast.” [04:15]

Key Takeaways

Consistency is Crucial: Maintaining steady financial goals is essential for business profitability.
Self-Awareness: Recognizing one's own tendencies to shift targets can lead to better business practices.
Practical Advice: While advising others is straightforward, implementing the same strategies in one's own ventures requires discipline and commitment.
Collaborative Success: A dedicated support team plays a pivotal role in sustaining and growing business operations.

This episode of the Becker Private Equity & Business Podcast offers a profound exploration of the psychological and practical challenges in business management. Scott Becker’s candid storytelling and self-reflection provide listeners with both inspiration and actionable insights to foster sustainable business growth.

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Transcript1 lines

[00:00]
Scott Becker
This is Scott Becker with the Becker Business podcast, the Becker Private Equity Podcast. I'll start today with a quick shout out to two people that I work with closely. They're just fantastic. I might end a third. One is Chanel Bunger, our podcast producer. Two is Jessica Jolliffe, who is with us at Becker's Healthcare. And Becker Business was just the most amazing virtual assistant ever. And finally third, Cosette Benjamin, who's also extremely helpful. So that's my quick shout out to the day. Before we get into the concept of this podcast, today's concept is don't move the goalpost. It's easier to advise than to do so. So one of my closest friends has been involved in a business where they have the hardest time keeping expenses at the right target amount each month so that they don't. So they could they keep their expense where they are and get revenues to beat those numbers so they finally have a record month in revenues. But even though they had a record month in revenues, they're still not making money because they keep on moving the goalpost. Now, similarly, as I develop other businesses at different times, it it is very easy for me to see the error in somebody else's ways, but not correct my own. So I see myself, as I start different businesses, sometimes guilty of exactly the behavior that I so ardently lecture my friend about. And I know he gets sick of me doing it because I'll get into that pitch tone or that sort of talking and preaching like, you got to stop moving the goalpost. You got to stop doing this. You got to get a general manager. You got to do this, you got to do that. And so I know all things. And of course, like many things in life, it's very easy to know all things versus actually doing the right thing. So I find myself in different businesses that I deal with often doing the same error that he or they do in moving the goalposts, making it harder for revenues to catch up to expenses. So recently we had one revenue source going great, and that's terrific. But then we add on more expenses so we get again, we've moved the goalposts, make it harder and harder to to have revenues match expenses. So the moral of the story is I'm very good at preaching to my colleague about not moving the goalpost, but I'm often guilty of making the same error myself, moving the goalpost, making harder and harder to get to the spot. We break even in that business. So that's the gist of the story for today. Again, the shout out today to Chanel Bunger, Cozette Benjamin and Jessica Jolof. Thank you all for your amazing help. Just the best in the business. I can tell you how thankful I am. Thank you very, very much. And thank you for listening to the Becker Business Podcast, the Becker Private Equity Podcast. Thank you so much.