Many of my clients come to me overwhelmed by busyness. They’re working long hours, constantly reacting to problems, and struggling to keep up with their workload. They’re even forced to turn down promising opportunities because they simply don’t have the time for more work. Their teams are frustrated, and they’re feeling tired and unmotivated, unable to see a way out.
Before we can make a change, it’s crucial to understand a simple truth: being too busy is a result of our choices, not the cause of our problems. It’s a symptom of underlying issues that need to be addressed. The good news is that it’s entirely fixable, but the bad news is that only you can fix it. Here are the top three reasons why business owners are too busy and how to address them:
- Saying Yes More Than No: The 80/20 rule, also known as the Pareto principle, states that 20% of our efforts yield 80% of our results. This implies that up to 80% of our time could be spent on tasks that don’t significantly contribute to our success. This often happens when business owners habitually say yes to every opportunity, project, or idea that comes their way. Every yes means less time and energy available for what truly matters. To combat this, consider the wisdom of Greg McKeown from his book “Essentialism”: “Once you give yourself permission to stop trying to do it all, to stop saying yes to everyone [and everything], you can make your highest contribution toward the things that really matter.”
- Seeing Yourself as a Doer, Not a Leader: In business, activities fall into three categories: Doing, Managing, and Leading. The more time and energy you invest in doing, the less you have for managing and leading. Being a doer is often a deeply ingrained habit. If you’ve spent years in this role, you might take pride in being able to handle everything. However, if you don’t transition to a leadership role, you’ll perpetually find yourself overwhelmed. The key is to identify as a leader and be willing to delegate tasks to others who can execute them effectively. A well-structured team has everyone working in their sweet spot: you as the leader, a manager (e.g., a Certified OBM), and doers (your team).
- Neglecting to Build a Strong Foundation of Team and Systems: Once you’ve embraced your role as a leader and let go of the doing, the next step is to assemble the right team and establish strong systems for everyone to work from. Hiring the right people, especially a capable manager, is essential. Many business owners struggle in this area because they haven’t previously hired this level of critical support. Recognize that finding, hiring, and leading a team is a skill that can be learned. Investing in top-notch individuals who excel at these tasks is a significant step toward breaking free from busyness.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and too busy in your business, consider these three areas and identify which one resonates most with your situation. Even small changes in any of these areas can lead to a noticeable reduction in busyness and a more productive, fulfilling business.
