Being in business for yourself can be an exciting and empowering journey but also overwhelming. That’s why it’s essential to understand the difference between “working on” your business and “working in” your business.
When discussing “working on” your business, we mean stepping back from the day-to-day hustle and focusing on the big picture. “Working in” your business is all about executing the day-to-day tasks that keep your business running.
“Working on” your business includes tasks like:
- Putting together a solid business plan
- Setting goals and mapping out your long-term strategy
- Doing some market research and analysis
- Improving systems and processes to make life easier
- Building a brand that truly represents you and your business
- Networking and making connections to help you grow
- Investing in technology and resources to take your business to the next level
- Keeping an eye out for opportunities to expand and grow
- Planning for potential challenges and risks down the road
- Improving internal operations and management to run things smoothly
“Working in” your business might include:
- Delivering your products or services
- Managing finances and expenses
- Responding to customer inquiries and concerns
- Keeping your financial records up-to-date
- Implementing systems and processes to streamline operations
- Overseeing inventory management
- Staying compliant with all the regulations and laws
- Making day-to-day financial decisions
- Making sure your business is looking good online
- Providing top-notch customer service
As a soloprenuer, finding a balance between working on and working in your business is crucial.
If you spend too much time on day-to-day tasks, you may miss out on opportunities for growth and expansion. On the other hand, if you focus too much on working on your business, you could neglect the tasks that keep it running and harm your operations.
So, how do you find balance? Here are five tips that can help:
Schedule regular check-ins with yourself to evaluate your progress and adjust your focus as needed.
At Queenly Consulting, we follow the concepts in the 12 Week Year and take every 13th week off refresh, re-evaluate, and re-focus. We purposefully work ahead and plan client projects so we can take this time to invest in ourselves regularly.
Set aside dedicated time for working on your business and stick to it
As the CEO and Principle Consultant at Queenly Consulting, I work Sundays. I’ve set boundaries and expectations with the people close to me that Friday Nights and all day Saturdays are open for whatever we want to do. However, I sit down for a few hours on Sundays to dial in on “working on” the business.
Delegate tasks where possible to free up time for strategic work
I have a small team at Queenly, Brooke handles the social media and executes my overall strategy, and Emmylou handles graphic design and web development. Having the two of them operating in their gifts and strengths allows me to spend my time being strategic for our company and our clients. There comes a point when you can’t do it all, and you must decide whether to push through or hire help. Is it time to hire? Check out our recent Instagram post that walks you through the decision.
Make use of tools and technology to automate and streamline day-to-day tasks.
If you are not leveraging AI in your business, you should be. No, it’s not cheating! However, it’s saved us a ton of time. ChatGPT and Munch are our favorite tools. In addition, you need a CRM. Hubspot is your best option, and getting started is free. We pay $50 monthly for the Starter version, which does everything we need. We also use Flodesk for email list management and lead generation. We can do this in Hubspot, but Flodesk is beautiful and easy to use.
Take breaks and prioritize self-care to avoid burnout and stay focused.
One of the reasons you started your own business is that you wanted to be your own boss and create a sense of freedom you didn’t have working for someone else. There are days that you will need a 30 min nap, a walk, or an impromptu beach day. Just take it. It’s been my experience that I come back a better person, having taken a break than had I continued to push through.
When we put it all together, we know that “working on” and “working in” your business are essential for your success as a solopreneur. By balancing and allocating time and resources to both, you can achieve your long-term goals and keep your business thriving.
