If working harder was the answer and the measurement of success, then most business owners would be “successful”……..but in reality just working harder pushes you closer to burn out.
You can hustle your business to a certain level, but sustanable growth is not about working harder.
Here’s the truth: the real shift happens when you stop trying to do more… and start doing things differently.
Ultimately if you always do what you’ve always done, you will always get what you’ve always got – unless you get lucky.
When I start working with clients, most of them are already flat out. Working hard to make the changes they want. They are driving sales, managing delivery and trying to get the best from their resources in term of time, money and team.
When we reflect on the starting position, then more hours is simply not an option as often there are not many more available in a day. Add more pressure? well that’s not sustainable either.
It’s actually a time to work smarter and leverage the resources of the overall business.
So today stop for a moment – Zoom out – Take a look at what can be simplified, systemised, or completely taken off your plate. Because business growth or improvement should not cost you those things that are important to you such as your health, your hobbies or your family time.
If it’s unique, then you may have to do it ,but if it’s repeatable, can it be automated? or if it’s regular can it be delegated or outsourced.
Look to leverage the talent in your business. Use smarter tools and embrace technology. Systemise and automate what you can. Understand what your data is telling you. Reduce the noise and focus on what moves the needle.
It often takes that moment to step back and see what is possible rather than just ploughing on doing what you’ve already done. Sometimes it takes an external eye to see or even know what can be done differently.
I can assure you that I asked my clients to work harder, then they would burn out before they get to where they want to be.
So I don’t want you working harder. I want you building a business that works for you as that’s where change really begins.
