The Core–Chore–Explore™ (CCE) Guide
You’re Busy. That Doesn’t Mean You’re Effective.
The "Busyness" Trap
If I asked you how your business is doing, you would probably say, "We are incredibly busy." You say this with a mix of pride and exhaustion.
John Kendale argues that for a business under $5M in revenue, "busyness" is not a badge of honor. It is usually a symptom of misallocation.
The human brain is wired to seek dopamine. Answering emails, tweaking your logo, and researching new AI tools feels like work. It looks like work. But often, it is just procrastination disguised as productivity. You are prioritizing what is easy over what is vital.
Enter The Core–Chore–Explore™ Framework
Created by John Kendale, the CCE Guide is a resource allocation system. It stops you from drowning in tasks by forcing you to categorize every dollar and every minute into one of three buckets.
Most failing businesses spend 50% of their time on "Chores" and 40% on "Exploring" (shiny objects), leaving only 10% for the actual business.
The CCE Framework flips the script.
1. CORE (75% of Resources)
The Vital Organs
Core is the work that keeps you alive. It is the engine of revenue. In the John Kendale methodology, "Core" isn't a vague concept; it is strictly defined by the FACARDS™ System (F=Finances, A=Allocation)
Customer (Who are we serving?)
Acquisition (Getting leads)
Retention (Keeping clients)
Delivery (Doing the work)
Sales (Closing deals)
The Rule: 75% of your time, budget, and brainpower must live here. If you are redesigning your website (Explore) but you haven't sent a sales email (Core) in three days, you are failing. You are effectively starving your business to buy it a new hat.
2. CHORE (20% of Resources)
The Necessary Evil
Chores are the housekeeping tasks that maintain stability but generate zero dollars.
Bookkeeping
Answering generic emails
Updating software
Scheduling
The Trap: Chores are seductive. Clearing your inbox feels "productive." It gives you a sense of completion. But it is a trap. John Kendale’s advice is ruthless: Cap this at 20%. If "keeping the lights on" takes more than 20% of your energy, you need to automate, delegate, or delete.
3. EXPLORE (5% of Resources)
The Innovation Casino
Explore is where entrepreneurs love to hide. This is R&D, new product ideas, and testing the latest "game-changing" software. Innovation is important, but it is also dangerous. Jeff Bezos once said he had enough ideas to destroy Amazon. Why? because ideas distract from execution.
The Rule: You earn the right to Explore only after the Core is dominating. Limit this to 5%. If your Core business is shaky, your "innovation" budget should be zero.
The "Home Systems" Analogy
To understand why this matters, imagine your business is a house.
CORE is the Plumbing and Electricity. It’s inside the walls. It’s not sexy. But if the plumbing breaks, the house is unlivable.
CHORE is the Cleaning. You have to sweep the floors, but sweeping doesn't increase the property value.
EXPLORE is the Decor. This is the new drapes, the expensive rug, the landscape lighting.
Most entrepreneurs are busy picking out new drapes (Explore) while their plumbing is leaking raw sewage into the basement (Core). The Core–Chore–Explore™ Actions forces you to stop decorating a burning house.
Why You Might Need This Framework
If you are working 60 hours a week but your revenue is flat, you have a CCE Imbalance. You are likely over-invested in Chores (because they feel safe) or Explore (because it feels exciting), and under-invested in Core (because it is hard).
John Kendale helps you audit your calendar and your bank account to restore the 75/20/5 Ratio. When you do this, the "overwhelm" vanishes, and the revenue returns.
Stop Guessing. Start Allocating.
Do you want to feel busy, or do you want to be profitable?