A common struggle I’ve been seeing more lately is people wondering why their business isn’t moving forward. They’re working hard, constantly busy, and doing a million things — but when we dig into where their time and energy are actually going, it’s usually not into their business.
The truth is, you only get better at the things you consistently spend time on. If your best hours are being poured into everyone else’s projects, it makes sense that your own business feels stuck.
A Client Story That Stood Out
One of my clients came to me excited about growing her business. She had ideas, a plan drafted out, and a clear vision. But when it came time to take action — posting consistently, reaching out to potential clients, building her offers — she felt like she had nothing left in the tank.
When we mapped out her week, the picture was obvious. She was practically working full-time hours… but not for herself. She was helping multiple nonprofits, supporting other business owners, and saying yes to so much that her own goals were always pushed to the backburner. On top of that, she was constantly going to networking events and promoting other businesses and organizations instead of her own.
Once she created boundaries and shifted her focus, things changed quickly. Within just a few weeks, she went from having no referrals to consistent referrals, multiple contracts signed, and tripling her client base. The effort she used to give to everyone else finally went into her own business — and the results spoke for themselves.
The Trap of Being “Too Busy”
It’s really easy to think: “I don’t have clients right now, so I’ll just keep myself busy helping others, volunteering, or doing things for free. At least I’m doing something.”
But what actually happens is that you push off the work you need to do for your own growth. You end up extending the period of time before your business gets off the ground.
Busy doesn’t always mean progress.
What Else Are You Overspending On?
This isn’t just about time — it’s also about where your money and energy are going.
- Are you spending too much energy on people who drain you?
- Too much money on things that don’t really move your business forward?
- Too much time on tasks that could be simplified, delegated, or just cut out?
It’s worth asking: Where am I overspending, and is there a way to reduce it? Because every “yes” to something else is often a “no” to your business.
How to Reclaim Your Time
If this feels familiar, here are a few steps that can help you shift:
- Audit your week. Write down where your time, energy, and money are really going. Sometimes just seeing it on paper is eye-opening.
- Spot the “too much.” Identify the areas where you’re giving away more than you should — whether that’s hours, cash, or energy.
- Create boundaries. Helping others is great, but it shouldn’t come at the cost of your own business. Start limiting how much you give away.
- Block time for your business first. Treat your business like your most important client. Put it on your calendar and don’t push it off.
The Bottom Line
Your business won’t grow just because you’re busy. It grows when you consistently put your best energy into it.
So take a look at where your time is really going. Ask yourself: Am I practicing my business… or just everyone else’s?
And if you’re having trouble figuring that out — or want to talk about your specific situation and how to reclaim your time — reach out to me. Sometimes an outside perspective is exactly what you need to see where your energy is going and how to start shifting it back to your business.