When you think about your future, what comes to mind?

A holiday house near the beach? Time freedom to knock off work at 2pm and pick up the kids? Building a business that supports your family and gives you joy? Whatever your version of a dream future looks like, you deserve it. But the thing is most people either don’t know what they want, or they think it’s too far off to be realistic, and they let this stop them!

The truth is that big futures start with small steps, and at Northwest Accountancy, we believe you need both a vision and a solid financial plan to make it happen. We've helped others create dreams and then reach for them, and we'd love to help you do the same.

What Do You Want from Life?

It's a hard question!

It takes some deep reflection and discussion with your partner, trying to figure out what you want in the future. Trying to figure out what isn't working right now, and what you want to do differently. You need to be able to see what's going on right now but also imagining what you want life to be like and doing it without getting miserable that you're not "there" yet.

A simple exercise is to imagine your perfect day and then start building towards it. Does your perfect day include a 9 - 5 job? Your own business? Holidays, or travel for work? And what sort of play do you want to include? What are you doing for fun and health?

We’ve all heard the advice before: “Set SMART goals,” but that also implies that your goals have clear markers for success. However, a lot of goals we set just don't have those sorts of clear "yes, we've made it!" moments. So, let's factor that in from the start.

A Perfect Day scenario is a great start for helping you understand what you're aiming for – and gives you a chance to get your mind thinking.

But if your goals don’t light you up, you’re not going to stick with them. So while it's great to have that ideal day clear in your mind, what are you doing that you are SO EXCITED about? What can you include that makes you light up, get excited, get so enthused about that you just can't wait to get it?

The emotion of desire is incredibly important to reach your goals. Goals aren't just a bunch of numbers and "success." You're aiming to achieve things you might never have seen anyone else do before. You need to be invested deeply!

Now, before you dive into numbers and budgets, take a moment to think about what really matters to you.

Ask yourself:

• What would an ideal day look like in five years’ time?
• How would it feel to live my perfect day?
• What do I want money to do for me?
• What do I want my money to do for others?

Then, write it down. Make it visual. Stick it on the fridge if you need to. Make a vision board. Have fun thinking about it! We'd love to hear your thoughts on this. Feel free to book us for a free chat to discuss your ideas!

What Happens Next? Let's Put Your Money to Work!

Once you KNOW what you want from life, you need to take stock of what you've got right now and start making small changes to move towards that goal. It’s time to shape your actions to support it.

Assessing your assets (you!)

If your goal is to be an expert in a new field, you need to find some training and start learning now! If your goal is to start building a new business, it's time to figure out what sort of business, what does it look like, and what skills you'll need. If you want a higher paying job, it's time to have a deep chat with your boss and ask how you can get a promotion or a pay rise – and start looking around you at other jobs too. If you were dreaming of a lifestyle business, it's time to start learning more about what is required.

Maybe you've already got a business up and running and now you're looking for the next challenge. Time to build and expand!

Small, incremental steps will get you on your journey.

Understanding your numbers

Knowing what your next step is means you're better prepared to look at your finances with a critical eye. If your dream is a million-dollar business, then look at what you've already got with a view to what could be improved, changed and updated. Whether you’re a business owner or an employee, knowing what comes in and what goes out each month is the starting point. If you don’t know your numbers, your money will always feel out of control.

• Start proper accounting systems so you understand the ebb and flow of your business.
• Review your income and expenses every month
• Track business performance with basic reports like P&L and cash flow
• Use systems (like Xero and Profit First) to prepare for scaling

Set up a Profit-First system

Instead of hoping there’s money left over at the end of the month, flip the script. Allocate your income into different accounts so that you’re building toward your dream in real-time, not “when things settle down.” Create accounts for special projects and start moving something into it regularly. This is in part to build your finance skills but also to show the universe that you're serious about this new project!

Your future needs to be built into the everyday mechanics of your business for success.

Check in with your goals regularly

A good plan is flexible. As life changes, so do your needs. Maybe your dream future includes travel now, but in two years something has changed and it becomes buying a home or taking more time off. We're here for a good time, not always a long time, so make sure you're enjoying your life now!

Build a routine with your partner or team once a quarter or even once a year to revisit your goals and adjust your finances to suit.

 Your money should move with you and be working for you.  

Ask for help

You can't do it alone.

At the very least, you need customers. You need friends and family.

Isolating yourself is not going to get you to your dreams. You can't physically do all the work needed to accomplish everything on your wish list. Wouldn't it be better to do the work you enjoy, and have other people help with the stuff you don't want to do? Whether it’s sitting down for tax planning, checking in on your BAS, or mapping out a better way to pay yourself, having someone in your corner who understands your goals (and knows the rules) makes all the difference.

Business Coaching and Accountancy Skills Mean Business Success

Northwest Accountancy offers something really unique. Not only are we Profit First Professional accountants, Xero experts, and highly skilled, we also offer support through our Unexpected Bookkeeper community.

This is your chance to talk every week with someone who has lived and breathed business, money and an amazing life for decades in Karratha. Jodi Porteous and the Northwest Accountancy team have helped businesses grow, change, and become the dreams of hundreds of business owners.

Jodi has built multiple businesses, and worked with thousands of others, and brings all of this experience and positivity to the Unexpected Bookkeeper. Learn about the technical aspects of business accounting and get inspired, knowledgeable support from the team.

Creating your dream future doesn’t start with a spreadsheet, it starts with YOU and your burning desire. It starts with clarity. With courage. With asking: “What if this could actually work and how can I get there?”

From there, the numbers become your tools, not your limitations.

If you’re ready to take that next step, we’d love to help you plan it out. Whether that’s setting up Profit First, reviewing your tax structure, or just figuring out how to pay yourself with less stress, we’re here to walk alongside you.

Book a chat to find out how we can help you reach your dreams.

Your dream future isn’t a fantasy. It’s just a plan you haven’t built yet.