Escape the “doing it all” trap & actually grow

Being a solo business owner is no joke.

You start out wearing all the hats - marketing, sales, admin, customer service, finance, tech support. But as your business grows, so does the pressure.

Suddenly, you’re drowning in tasks, but your business isn’t moving forward.

And here’s the biggest trap: you feel like you can’t stop!

❌ You can’t afford to outsource (yet).

❌ You have no team to delegate to.

❌ You’ve borrowed every favour possible.

So, what’s the solution? It’s not just working harder - it’s working differently.

Start by:

1. Focusing on what actually moves the needle

Many business owners get caught up in tasks that don’t actually grow their business.

For example:

👉 You’re spending hours creating Instagram posts when your ideal clients are actually on LinkedIn.

👉 You’re tweaking your website endlessly when referrals are your main source of leads.

👉 You’re replying to admin emails instead of working on strategy and sales.

➡️ The fix? Ask yourself: Is this moving me closer to my business goals? If not, drop it or delegate it.

2. Learn to filter opinions & advice

Not all advice is created equal.

🦉 Applicable advice: Comes from trained experts or those who understand your industry and goals.

👌 Nice to know: Might be useful later, but not urgent.

❌ Not helpful: Well-meaning but irrelevant input that adds stress.

For example, another business owner might say: “You need to be on social media every day!” – But if your ideal clients don’t come from social media, why waste the time?

Filtering advice protects your time and reduces stress.

3. Automate & systemise to save time

You don’t need a team to reduce your workload - you need better systems.

📅 Scheduling tools for meetings

📩 Email templates for common responses

🖥️ Automated invoicing & reminders

🤖AI tools for content creation

Every small automation adds up, saving you hours every week.

4. Micro-outsource to lighten your load

You might not be able to afford a full-time hire, but you can start small.

Options:

✔️ Hire a virtual assistant for 2-5 hours a week

✔️ Use Fiverr or Upwork for small, one-off tasks

✔️ Trade services with another business owner

Every task you remove from your plate gives you more time to grow.

5. Reassess your pricing & offers

If you’re maxed out but not making enough money, it might be time to rethink your pricing model.

🔹 Are you undercharging?

🔹 Can you create a higher-value offer?

🔹 Is there a way to add passive income?

If you’re constantly working but not seeing financial growth, this is a sign something needs to change.

6. Set boundaries & take back your time

Many solo business owners feel like they’re working all the time but more hours don’t always equal more results.

Protect your time:

⏳ Set clear working hours (and stick to them)

⏳ Create a “shutdown” routine for work

⏳ Block time for deep work - without distractions

Time is your most valuable resource…use it wisely.

The path to growth starts with smarter choices

If you’re stuck in the doing it all cycle, know this: the next level of success isn’t about pushing harder - it’s about making better decisions.

Want to talk this through with a business expert? Book a free 30-minute Introduction to Business Coaching call here.