Mike McKay
June 16, 2026
Blog Summary: Feeling stuck in your business? You’re not alone. Many business owners struggle because they lack a clear plan. The key to success isn’t working harder; it’s working differently.
The Be x Do = Have Formula
1. Have: Define your goals. What does success look like for you?
2. Do: Identify the actions needed to achieve those goals.
3. Be: Reflect on who you need to become to make it happen.
When new opportunities arise, say yes—even if you’re unsure. Growth often requires stepping outside your comfort zone.
If your business feels like a job, it’s time to change. Use the Be x Do = Have formula to create a thriving enterprise. Your journey to success starts now!
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Do you feel like you are spinning your wheels, working hard but not getting anywhere? You’re not alone. Many business owners just like yourself struggle to achieve goals because they don’t have a clear plan.
Actually, most people will never learn that success is not about working harder at all. Different outcomes require something different than what you’re doing right now.
That can be summarized in a simple yet profound formula: Be x Do = Have.
First, let’s break down the formula, and to accomplish great things, we work backwards, from right to left.
Start with your “Have.” What are the dreams and goals you want your business to deliver for you?
Before your Have is “Do.” What are the actions you are willing to take to reach those goals.
And both of those rest on the foundation of “Be.” Your “be” is who you need to “Be-come” in order to make it all happen.
This formula represents a core mindset principle that will change the way you approach your goals.
Instead of just thinking about what you want to have, you’ll need to consider who you need to become in order to achieve it.
Here’s The Three Step Action Plan
1. Decide What You Want to Have: Start by clearly defining your dreams and goals. Write them down, visualize them, and make them real in your mind. What does success look like for you? What does it sound like? What are the smells and sensations you experience when your goals are achieved? How much money? How much free time?
2. Understand What You Need to Do: Backtrack and identify the actions required to turn your “have” into reality. This will involve some combination of learning new skills, planning meticulously, taking immediate action, or clarifying which of the work you’re doing you need to stop.
3. Finally, Define Who You Need to Be: This is the game-changer, and difficult enough that most people won’t do it. Before you embark on your journey of doing, ask yourself, “Who do I need to become to make this happen? What skills will I have? What learning have I completed? And most often, do I really want this?” Then, work on building the person you need to be to achieve your dreams.
Here’s a piece of advice: If an incredible opportunity comes knocking, say yes, even if you’re uncertain about your capabilities. Learning as you go is a key part of growth. You’ll have to step outside your comfort zone and embrace challenges if you want to experience any level of success.
After all, “What Got You Here Won’t Get You There” according to Marshall Goldsmith. That means that doing what you’ve always done will only get you what you have right now.
Entrepreneurs are remarkable individuals who defy convention. They often invest countless hours in their pursuits because they’d rather work a hundred hours a week for their dreams than settle for a routine 40-hour workweek for someone else. This kind of “crazy” is what leads to extraordinary success.
But working harder is not actually a requirement for the equation.
You’ve probably heard the saying, “Work smarter, not harder,” more times than you can count.
Success, though, is not actually about choosing one over the other. Success comes from finding the right mix of the right effort and the right thinking.
Business should be a “commercial, profitable enterprise that runs without you.” If you’re stuck in the business, physically tied to every move, it’s not a business; it’s a job. And let’s be real, if that’s the case, you’re essentially working for the worst boss in the room.
For things to change, you must change first. Orderly change comes from a plan and that plan is created based on the formula Be x Do = Have
The key to success and simplification isn’t becoming a pro at the tasks your business throws at you. Becoming a stellar business owner starts with your specific vision of success. A business that thrives even when you’re not pulling all the strings? Yes, it’s possible, and it starts with you. That’s the dream.
And guess what? That’s exactly what the ActionCOACH system is here to help you achieve.
So, what’s the takeaway? Be x Do = Have is a simple yet powerful formula that can reshape the way you approach your goals. Start with your dreams. Embrace challenges, redefine your understanding of business, and watch as you unlock your full potential. Your extraordinary success is waiting—are you ready to claim it?