TruckTalk: 

LESSON 8

Write It Down—Or Watch It Slip Away
By Kevin Rutherford

Here’s the hard truth: If it’s not written down, it doesn’t exist.

You want a better business this year? Then put it on paper. And I’m not talking about some vague idea like “make more money” or “run smarter.” I’m talking about an actual, detailed plan. What does your business need? What do YOU need from your business? And most importantly—what are you willing to do, and what should you stop doing?

This month is about clarity. Because most businesses don’t fail from a lack of effort. They fail from a lack of direction. People hustle hard in the wrong direction. They spend too much time on the wrong tasks. And they don’t stop to ask the most important question in business:

Should I be doing this at all?

If you're still trying to do everything yourself—accounting, sales, marketing, repairs, dispatch, compliance—you might be saving money, but you’re costing yourself growth.

The smartest business owners know how to delegate. They know their strengths. They know their limits. And they build a plan that reflects both.

Let’s do it different. Let's get serious. Let's get it written.

The 5 Things to Write Down 

1. What your business actually needs. Make a list. Everything—from sales and marketing, to accounting, maintenance, compliance, and beyond. Don’t skip anything.
2. What you’re good at, willing to do, and want to keep doing. Be honest here. Just because you can do it doesn’t mean you should. Time is your most valuable asset.
3. What you’re doing now only because you “have to.” These are the first things to delegate when profit allows. Don’t wait until you’re overwhelmed. Plan ahead.
4. What you’ll never outsource. Know your core competency. In trucking, that’s understanding and managing your equipment. You can’t give away the heart of your business and expect to keep the profit.
5. What you don’t need to do yourself—but still need to understand. You can’t delegate what you don’t understand. You don’t have to be a tax expert, but you better know the basics. Same with maintenance, compliance, and financials.

Action Plan 

1. Block off two hours this week to write your business needs list—don’t skip this.
2. Divide your list into three categories: Do Now, Delegate Later, Never Delegate.
3. Identify one task you’re doing that someone else could do better, faster, or cheaper.
4. Start learning the basics of one area you’ve been ignoring (taxes, compliance, marketing—pick one).
5. Tune in daily to the AudioRoad Network. Ask questions, take notes, and start building smarter habits.

Ask Yourself

• What tasks am I doing just because I’ve always done them?
• Am I working on my business—or just in it?
• If I got sick or took a week off, what parts of my business would fall apart?

Closing Thought

Running a business without a plan is like driving cross-country with no map, no GPS, and no destination. January is your chance to fix that. Write it down. Get it clear. And stop wasting energy on things that aren’t building your future. This is the year you lead like a business owner—not just a driver who owns a truck.

Let’s get to work.

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