Every owner I’ve ever worked with has, at one point or another, run into a wall.

A rough season, a staff shake-up, a cash flow crunch, a downturn in sales, or simply the creeping weight of burnout. Whatever the challenge, there’s a pivotal moment when you’re faced with two choices. You can accept things as they are, or you can choose to make a change.

But here’s the hard truth. Real, lasting change does not start with a strategy. It starts with a decision.

Let’s walk through a simple framework that I’ve used personally and with hundreds of business owners and managers across the landscaping, lawn care, and tree care industries. This is how real transformation takes root.

1. Identify One Area That Needs to Change

Start by pinpointing one aspect of your business or leadership style that has been bothering you. Maybe you’ve been putting off a big process improvement, ignoring inefficiencies in your scheduling, or you’ve noticed your crew morale slipping. Pick one.

It’s easy to want to change everything at once, but the power lies in focus. Choose one area that, if improved, would unlock growth or relieve pressure. This is your starting point.

2. Be Uncomfortably Honest

You cannot fix what you refuse to acknowledge.

If your team is struggling with communication, say so. If you’ve avoided financial reviews for months, own it. Don’t sugarcoat your challenges with phrases like “it’s not that bad” or “things are just a little off.”

Call it what it is. Put it into words that sting a bit. Why? Because honest assessment drives motivation. The pain of staying the same has to feel greater than the discomfort of making a change.

3. Ditch the Victim Story

Once you’ve named your problem, it’s tempting to start pointing fingers. “We’re short-staffed.” “The market is tough.” “My team just won’t listen.”

But here’s the truth: none of that puts you in control.

Victim thinking keeps you stuck. Ownership sets you free.

You don’t have to be responsible for every external factor. But you are responsible for how you respond. Leaders take charge of their outcomes. They set new expectations. They lead themselves first.

4. Picture the Other Side

What would it look like if this problem were solved?

Visualize it clearly. If your crews operated with stronger communication, what would their daily rhythm look like? If you were managing cash flow better, how would that reduce your stress and increase your decision-making power?

Paint a picture of what success looks like. Make it vivid. This will become your north star.

5. Commit to a Real Plan

Now it’s time to do the work.

Write down the problem.
Write down what success looks like.
Write down the first three steps you can take to move toward that goal.

This might involve having a hard conversation, creating a new process, booking a coaching session, or finally pulling the trigger on a system or tool you’ve been meaning to implement.

Then… take one step. Just one.

If you keep doing that, day after day, you’ll get momentum. And momentum is what turns good intentions into lasting results.

Why This Matters

Running a landscaping, lawn care, or tree care business means wearing a dozen hats. But being in charge doesn’t mean being perfect. It means being willing to grow.

It means modeling the courage to face reality and change it for the better.

The most successful business owners I’ve worked with are not the ones with the flashiest websites or the biggest crews. They’re the ones who continually look in the mirror, decide where they want to grow next, and take action, even when it’s uncomfortable.

And the good news is, you can do the same.

“Now, what’s one thing you can do right now to make your life a smashing success? Decide… and then get going.”

Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.
Fred