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Working in vs. Working on Your Business: Understanding the Difference

Writer's picture: Edra LawsonEdra Lawson

Updated: Dec 26, 2024


Entrepreneurs often find themselves wearing multiple hats—CEO, accountant, marketer, and customer service representative, to name a few. It’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind, working tirelessly to keep your business running. But if you want to see growth, sustainability, and long-term success, it’s crucial to shift your focus from working in your business to working on your business.


In this blog post, we’ll break down what it means to work in your business versus working on it, why the distinction matters, and actionable steps to help you make the shift toward growth-focused tasks.


 

What Does Working In Your Business Mean?

Working in your business involves handling the operational and tactical tasks that keep the business running smoothly. These are the everyday activities that ensure customers are served, bills are paid, and the lights stay on.


Examples of Working In Your Business:

  • Responding to emails and customer inquiries.

  • Managing inventory or fulfilling orders.

  • Handling social media posting and engagement.

  • Troubleshooting problems as they arise.


While these tasks are essential, spending all your time on them can leave you stuck in a reactive cycle, with little time to plan for the future or identify opportunities for growth.


 

What Does Working On Your Business Mean?

Working on your business involves taking a step back to focus on strategy, vision, and growth. It’s about thinking like a CEO and dedicating time to activities that move the needle forward.


Examples of Working On Your Business:

  • Setting long-term goals and creating a business growth plan.

  • Identifying new revenue streams or markets to target.

  • Developing systems and processes to improve efficiency.

  • Networking or building partnerships that can drive growth.


By working on your business, you’re not just maintaining it—you’re positioning it for scalability and sustainability.


 

Why the Distinction Matters

Understanding the difference between these two modes of work is critical because:

1. It Impacts Growth Potential

If you’re constantly putting out fires and managing day-to-day operations, you may never have the time or energy to focus on scaling your business.


2. It Prevents Burnout

Working in your business nonstop can lead to exhaustion and frustration, especially if you feel like you’re spinning your wheels without making meaningful progress.


3. It Strengthens Long-Term Vision

By dedicating time to working on your business, you create clarity and direction, ensuring your efforts align with your bigger goals.


 

How to Transition from Working In to Working On Your Business

Step 1: Create a Time Audit

The first step is understanding where your time currently goes.

  • How to Do It:

    • Over the next week, track every task you complete during your workday.

    • Categorize each task as “working in” or “working on” your business.

  • What You’ll Discover:

    • Patterns of where your time is being spent.

    • Opportunities to delegate or streamline low-value tasks.


Step 2: Prioritize Strategic Activities

Once you have a clear picture of how you spend your time, start carving out space for high-impact, strategic activities.

  • How to Do It:

    • Set aside one day each week as your “CEO Day.”

    • Dedicate this time to activities like brainstorming, planning, and evaluating your business strategy.

  • Pro Tip: Treat this time as non-negotiable. Block it on your calendar and avoid scheduling any operational tasks during this period.


Step 3: Delegate and Automate

To free up time for working on your business, delegate or automate repetitive tasks.

  • Tasks to Delegate:

    • Administrative work like email management or scheduling.

    • Social media posting and content creation.

    • Customer service inquiries.

  • Tools for Automation:

    • Use platforms like Zapier to connect apps and automate workflows.

    • Implement project management tools like Asana or Trello to streamline task management.


Step 4: Set Clear Goals

Define what success looks like for your business and ensure your activities align with those goals.

  • How to Do It:

    • Use SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) to create actionable plans.

    • Regularly review and adjust your goals based on progress and market conditions.


Step 5: Join an Accountability Group

Accountability groups provide structure, support, and motivation to stay focused on growth-oriented tasks.

  • How They Help:

    • Provide a space to share goals and track progress.

    • Offer feedback and fresh perspectives on challenges.

    • Keep you motivated through regular check-ins and discussions.

  • Pro Tip: The Arianna Jackson Accountability Sessions include tools like the Framing Tool to help you set goals and the Tracking Tool to monitor your progress, ensuring you’re always working toward growth.


 

Conclusion: Start Working On Your Business Today


The shift from working in your business to working on it is one of the most important steps you can take as an entrepreneur. By prioritizing strategic activities, delegating operational tasks, and creating time for growth-focused work, you’ll set your business up for long-term success.


Ready to take your business to the next level?



Let’s make the shift together—because your business deserves more than just maintenance. It’s time to grow!



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