The 7 Deadly Sins of Business – And How to Avoid Them

I was re-reading one of my favorite books and found myself reflecting on a key chapter that perfectly captures what I call the 7 Deadly Sins of Business.

Now, when I say “deadly sins,” I don’t mean moral failings—I mean the common mistakes and missed disciplines that stop people from being as successful, organized, and fulfilled as they could be. Over the years, I’ve seen these same pitfalls hold back countless professionals. The good news is, once you’re aware of them, you can put systems in place to avoid them.

Let’s dive in.

1. No Order and Organization

Too many business owners operate in a haphazard way—letting clients dictate when they meet, juggling priorities without structure, and ultimately wasting time. Success requires discipline, systems, and a clear method for organizing your time.

One tool I recommend is the Yellow Box Diary System, which allows you to allocate time blocks for different activities. When you create order, you free yourself to focus on what truly matters.

2. No Master Plan

Day-to-day goals are important, but without a clear ultimate objective, it’s easy to drift. I learned early in my career to start with the end in mind.

For me, my master plan was simple: by the age of 56, I wanted every day to come with choice—the ability to decide whether to work, see clients, spend time with family, play golf, or travel. I’m fortunate to be in that position now, but it didn’t happen by chance. It came from having a long-term plan that guided my short-term goals.

3. No “Hotel Days”

A Hotel Day doesn’t have to be in a hotel—it simply means removing yourself from day-to-day distractions and dedicating time to reflect, strategize, and realign.

Take one full day each month to review your goals, assess what’s working (and what isn’t), and make adjustments. This is blue time in the Yellow Box Diary System—strategic, high-level thinking that moves your business forward.

4. No Primary Purpose

If you don’t know what you stand for, your business will lack direction and meaning. Your primary purpose is your “why”—the belief that what you do matters.

When your work feels meaningful and aligned with your values, it fuels resilience, focus, and passion. Without it, business can quickly become just a grind.

5. No Balance

We talk a lot about the “whole person concept”—balancing work, health, family, relationships, and personal fulfillment.

I’ll be honest—I still struggle with balance. But I’m aware of it, and I constantly use techniques I teach in my book and Masterclass to create harmony in life. True success isn’t just financial—it’s about living fully and feeling fulfilled.

6. No Integrity

Integrity isn’t negotiable. I’ve always believed that if we focus on the process—doing the right things in the right way for our clients—the outcomes will take care of themselves.

Integrity builds trust, and trust builds lasting success. If you compromise your values, short-term wins will always cost you in the long run.

7. Not Going Through the Front Door

This is perhaps the most important sin to avoid. Too often, people hesitate, procrastinate, or let fear hold them back. They listen to that little voice of doubt or join what I call the “Discouragement Club.”

The truth is simple: success comes from taking consistent action. One foot in front of the other. Day after day. Month after month. Year after year.

It may feel uncomfortable at times, but it’s those who keep moving forward—through the front door—who achieve greatness in business and life.

Final Thoughts

The 7 Deadly Sins of Business aren’t about what you do wrong—they’re about what you fail to do. By creating order, setting a master plan, scheduling time to think, living with purpose, striving for balance, maintaining integrity, and taking bold, consistent action, you’ll put yourself in the top percentage of people who don’t just dream about success—they live it.

So ask yourself today: which of these sins might be holding me back? And what small step can I take right now to correct course?

Because ultimately, success isn’t one big leap—it’s the accumulation of disciplined steps taken consistently over time.