How to Work Backwards

Hey founders!

First off, our hearts are with those of you with connection to Los Angeles! What a wild few days. Please let the community know if there are any ways we can support you. 

Now, onto the main idea for today: working backwards.

As you know, big goals (especially the kinds we make at the beginning of the year) can feel… overwhelming. How do you approach them? All at once? In little chunks?

Well, what if the secret to moving forward is starting backwards?

Most founders dive headfirst into building their businesses, hoping things will somehow fall into place. But successful founders know that a successful business doesn’t happen by accident. 

It’s built with intention, planning, and clear direction.

This week, we’re breaking down the 'Working Backwards' approach—a method that starts with your ultimate vision and reverse-engineers a plan to make it happen. Let’s dive in.

1. Define Your Long-Term Vision

Before you plan your next step, imagine the finish line.

Picture your business 10, 20, or even 26 years from now. What do you see? Do you like the view?

Take Amazon: Bezos didn’t start by asking, “How can I sell more books?” Instead, he envisioned a company that could deliver everything to customers at the speed of light. 

That vision of a “customer-obsessed” ecosystem shaped every decision Amazon made, from its logistics network to its Prime membership.

Clarity about your long-term vision acts as a north star. It inspires all the actions you take starting today..

Ask yourself:

• What does success look like for my business?

• What impact do I want to create in my industry?

• How will my company evolve to serve customers better over time?

2. Turn Goals into Milestones

Big visions are inspiring, but they can also feel overwhelming. 

Start by breaking your vision into smaller, manageable chunks. What needs to happen in 5 years to get you closer to the big picture? In 1 year? In the next 3 months?

Starbucks is another great example here. Howard Schultz’s first milestone was to create a local coffee experience that mirrored Italy’s espresso bars. On that foundation, he continued to expand. 

First nationally. Then globally. And now, well, Starbucks is quite literally everywhere. 

But the lesson is the same: Schultz didn’t necessarily have a global coffee empire in mind. He just wanted one, great “third place” for people to gather. 

For your business, here’s how breaking it down might look:

• Year 1: Launch MVP, acquire first 100 customers, reach $100K in revenue.

• Year 3: Establish a strong regional presence, hire key leadership, hit $1M in revenue.

• Year 5: Expand nationally, refine product, reach 10,000 customers, $3M revenue.

Working backwards doesn’t just make big goals achievable—it shows you exactly what steps to take next.

3. Make it Specific!

Big dreams are built with small, consistent actions.

Say your goal is to reach $100K in revenue. Well, let’s break it down: Average customer pays $2.5K, which means you need 40 clients, which means you need to acquire just 3-4 clients a month. 

See?

When you get specific, the path suddenly feels a lot more manageable. 

To get there, focus on two things:

1. Actions: What specific steps will drive progress? This might include launching your MVP, conducting sales calls, or building partnerships.

2. Metrics: What will you measure to track success? Choose 2-3 key metrics, such as customer acquisition, monthly revenue, or lead conversion rates.

What daily or weekly actions can I take to hit my goals? 

Start Backward. Move Forward.

Big goals don’t happen overnight—they’re achieved one small milestone at a time.

This week, challenge yourself:

1. Define your 5-year vision.

2. Write down 3 micro-goals to accomplish this month.

3. Map out the daily or weekly actions needed to make those goals a reality.

Remember: working backwards turns your dreams into an actionable plan. One step at a time, you’ll get there.

Have a fantastic week!

—The Tribe Team