How I Realized I Was Building a Job, Not a Business

Have you ever felt like you were working all the time, but not really getting anywhere? On the outside, you look successful, but you feel like a failure behind closed doors? I know I have. In fact, for years I thought that was just the way things were supposed to be.

I was the classic case of a "job owner" masquerading as a business owner.

On paper, it looked like I had everything together. I had a fabulous business coach and virtual assistant. My business was making money and I had a nice lifestyle to show for it. But the truth was, I was working all the time and I felt exhausted, frustrated, depleted and was close to burnout. I didn't have any real autonomy or control over my work. It also meant that if I wanted to take a vacation or take time off, I couldn't really do it without putting my business at risk. And finally, it meant that if something happened to me and I couldn't work, my business would suffer.

What's even worse is that I didn't realize what was happening until it was too late. By the time I realized that I had built myself a job and not a business, my life was already out of control.

The elders say "It is not when you learn the lesson, it is the fact that you learned it at all." I am now on a mission to help other women entrepreneurs learn this lesson before they get to the point of burnout like I did.

Here are three signs that you may be building a job and not a business:

You are the only one who can do what you do: This is the most common symptom of a job, not a business. If you are the only one who can do what you do, then you don't have a business, you have a job.

You are working all the time and never seem to get ahead: This was me. I was working all the time, but I never seemed to get ahead. I was always behind on my deadlines and felt like I was constantly playing catch up.

You are exhausted: This is the most important sign that you are building a job and not a business. If you are exhausted, it means that you are not delegating or leveraging your time properly. You are probably trying to do too much yourself and not taking advantage of all the resources available to you.

SOLUTIONS FOR THE DAYS WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE “THIS IS NOT THE BUSINESS I ORDERED”!

If you find yourself nodding along to any of these signs, don't despair. I promise there is a way out. Here's what you can do to fix it.

Get clear on your business vision. Building a successful business is hard enough without adding the extra stress of trying to do it all yourself. If you find yourself in a situation where you are working all the time and never seem to get ahead, it's time to take a step back and reassess your priorities. With a little bit of strategic thinking, you can build a business that works for you instead of against you.

These four questions will help you gain the clarity needed to propel yourself forward: Do you want to be able to take vacations without worrying about your business? What does it look and feel like to be able to work less and enjoy your life more? What is your long-term goal for your business? How can you align your daily actions with that vision? Figure out what it is that you want and start working towards that.

Create some boundaries and/or Outsource the things that drain your energy. Do you feel guilty if you don't work all hours of the day and night? Do you feel guilty for taking a day off? If so, consider setting better boundaries between work time and personal time.

What are some things you can say "no" to in order to create more space in your schedule? One of the best things you can do for your business is to outsource the tasks that drain your energy. If there are certain tasks that you dread doing, or that take up too much of your time, consider outsourcing them to someone who is better equipped to handle them. This will free up your time so that you can focus on more important things.

Assess your business model. A business model is a way of generating revenue and profit. There are many different business models out there, and the one you choose will have a big impact on how much time and energy you need to put into your business.

The business model is designed to make your life easier, not harder. If you find yourself working all the time and never seem to get ahead, it's time to take a look at your business model and see where you can make some changes.

The following is a list of the things to consider when assessing your business model:

1. Customer segment - Have you been tolerating high maintenance, high drama clients or vendors? Do a quick review of your current clients and see if there are any that are draining your energy. If so, it might be time to let them go. The same goes for vendors. If you have vendors that are constantly giving you headaches, it's time to find new ones.

2. Value proposition - Have you been tolerating over-giving and under-earning? Do a quick review of your value proposition and make sure it is aligned with the results you want to achieve. If you find that you are constantly giving more than you are getting, it's time to make some changes.

3. Customer relationships - Do you find yourself being more invested in your client's success than they are? If so, it's time to take a step back and reassess your priorities. The best client relationships are mutually beneficial. If you find that you are constantly putting your clients' needs ahead of your own, it's time to make some changes.

4. Operations - Are you trying to do everything yourself? If so, it's time to build a team of A-players and delegate some of the tasks. One of the biggest mistakes I see entrepreneurs make is trying to do everything themselves. They wear all the hats and try to be everything to everyone. This is a recipe for burnout and it's not sustainable in the long run. If you want to build a successful business, you need to surround yourself with people who are smarter and more talented than you are. People who can fill in the gaps and complement your skills. Assemble a team of A-players and give them the resources they need to do their jobs well.

5. Revenue model - How much revenue do you want to generate? Which products or services are underperforming? Which ones can be eliminated? Have you been tolerating low profit margins? If so, it's time to take a look at your pricing structure and see where you can make some changes. The best way to increase your profit margins is to increase your prices. If you find that you are constantly discounting your products or services, it's time to take a look at your pricing structure and see where you can make some changes.

6. Key Resources -If you want to build a successful business, you need to make sure you have the right mix of resources. Review your current situation and see where you might need to make some changes in one or more of the following areas:

   • Financial Resources - How much money do you have available to invest in, own and operate your business?

   • Human Resources - This includes the people on your team as well as any contractors or freelancers you work with.

   • Physical Resources - What equipment or office space is needed to run your business?

   • Intellectual Resources - Is there a need to apply for a patent, copyright, or trademark to protect your work?

   • Digital Resources - Is there a way to use your website, social media accounts, or email lists more efficiently and effectively?

7. Key activities - Have you designed your business in a way that honors the culture of "overwork"? Do you have systems and processes in place to support your team and help them be more effective? Are you trying to do too much yourself? Are there any tasks that you can delegate or outsource? If so, now is the time to invest in creating solutions that bring in more ease and joy.

8. Key partnerships - Take a look at your internal and external team. Do you have the right people in place to help you achieve your goals? Are they properly trained and equipped to handle their responsibilities?

9. Cost structure. Notice the areas of your business that are draining your time, energy, money and resources. What can you do to reduce the costs in these areas?

By taking the time to assess your business model, you will be able to identify areas where you can make some changes that will help you work less and enjoy your life more. You deserve to have a business that makes you happy and one that gives you the freedom to live the life you want. It's time to take control and make it happen.

Make self-care a priority. I know it sounds trite, but if you don't take care of yourself, you won't be able to take care of your business. Make sure that you are taking the time to do things that make you feel good. Get enough sleep, eat healthy foods, and exercise regularly. When you feel good, you'll be able to put your best foot forward and make smart decisions for your business.

Stop building a job and start building a business. It's time to take the leap and commit to making some changes in your life. You can do it! I believe in you!

INQUIRY

Did this blog post help you realize that you might be building a job instead of a business? Let us know in the comments below! And don't forget to sign up for our email list to get more tips on how to build a successful business. We'll see you next time!