If your business feels “fine,” you're already slipping backwards, you just can’t see it yet.

Every business owner knows that uncomfortable place where growth happens … and the dangerously comfortable place where momentum dies. In this episode, Mark and Caroline dig into the quiet (but deadly) drift into success complacency - and, more importantly, how to stop it before it costs you your edge, your clients, or your cash flow.

Think of this conversation as a friendly nudge back into the zone where you’re learning, leading, making sharper decisions, and building the future you actually want. It’s all about staying intentional, accountable, and in forward motion.

You’ll learn why comfort sneaks up on even the smartest leaders, how to spot stagnation before it shows up in your bank account, and the simple planning habits that keep you growing without burning out.

If you want 2026 to feel lighter, clearer, and more in your control, this episode is your starting point to shifting out of maintenance mode and back into intentional growth. These small mindset and planning tweaks create a business that moves the way you always hoped it would - purposeful, resilient, and deeply aligned with the freedom you set out to build.

Growth isn’t a goal. It’s a discipline.

In today's podcast you’ll discover:

• 00:00 - Learn the subtle signs you’re slipping into stagnation (before it hits your P&L)
• 01:16 - How comfort weakens leadership, slows decision-making, and creates cash-flow surprises
• 01:40 - Why seasoned owners stop seeking advice and how it creates blind spots
• 02:44 - Turning discomfort into creativity, innovation, and sharper problem-solving
• 03:19 - The real value of collective momentum inside a mastermind (and why couples benefit most)
• 05:01 - The external feedback loops every business needs to prevent silent client churn
• 07:11 - How to choose networking that fuels growth not drains energy
• 08:22 - Staying educated and adaptable when you're leading as a couple
• 09:03 - How to transform pressure into strength instead of stress
• 09:50 - Spotting where you’ve quietly shifted into maintenance mode
• 10:24 - The planning rhythm that gives you a head start on 2026 (before the year even begins)
• 12:48 - A one-hour exercise that resets your growth trajectory for next year

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-creedon/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/markcreedoncoach/
• Business Accelerator Mastermind: https://investor.metropole.com.au/business-mastermind/