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I want to talk about plans.
Not a business plan. A plan for you.
A lot of owners are busy, busy, busy doing the stuff in their business. I get it. You started it. You know more than the team. You have the skills, the experience and, in plenty of cases, you probably can do it better and faster.
But if you're going to be the person who does it all the time, is that sustainable? Is it scalable? And is it going to give you the life you actually want?
A Quick Update From Me
This Friday, we're off to see Jay-Z at Tottenham Stadium in London. I think it's his 30th anniversary concert. Yes, it's cost a fair bit.
For business owners who want to take this further, work with a certified Profit First accountant can help you put it into practice.
But ultimately, this is what your business should be about: creating the freedom to enjoy moments like these with the people who matter. This photo is from when I went to see Zach Bryan with my family recently.
And that brings me back to this week's question. Your business shouldn't simply create more work for you. It should create the profit and freedom that let you enjoy the life you're working so hard to build.
When Being Busy Becomes the Default
There are seasons in business. Sometimes you will work 60 or 70 hours a week and do absolutely everything. That can happen.
What matters is whether you've quietly accepted that this is just how it will always be.
I've had a few conversations recently with owners who are stuck doing things like:
- paying bills
- raising invoices
- doing quotes
- ordering materials
- manually entering everything into the system
Again, I understand it. But if you have the mentality that it has to be you, it will always be you.
And that is how you become a slave to your business.
The Question I'd Write Down on Paper
What needs to change in the next three years for that not to be you?
If it can happen sooner, brilliant. But three years is a nice timeframe because there are almost no excuses.
In three years' time, what has to happen so you're not the one running around like a busy fool doing all that stuff?
Related reading: Why You Need to Stop Judging Your Business Month by Month.
That's not for me to answer. That's for you to answer.
I say three years deliberately. If I told you to remove yourself from part of the business in six months, most people would immediately come up with obstacles and reasons it can't happen. Give yourself three years and you've got time to get yourself sorted.
I'm Not Saying This From the Sidelines
This isn't me on a high horse giving advice from a distance.
Recently I've been very hands-on running live events and webinars, teaching the three pillars of the Gro Profit system. It's created a lot of traction, a lot of conversations, and it's made me very busy.
I don't mind that. I don't mind getting my hands dirty. I don't mind putting the hours in.
But doing something now is not the same as doing it in three years' time.
So even while I'm in it, I'm asking the question: should this be me forever? Am I the right person to be doing this forever?
The answer is no. I need to optimise it, make it work properly, build the process, and then make sure someone else can become a key part of that process.
That's the mindset I want you to have as well.
Why This Comes Back to Profit First
In a lot of cases, the answer comes down to people.
You need the right people around you. But many business owners don't have the cash flow to hire the right people, and that's exactly why Profit First matters.
Related reading: Profit First Bank Accounts.
Profit First is not just about paying yourself more, although that absolutely matters.
Yes, you need a clear vision for what you want your life to look like. What are you building the business for? Your family? A first mortgage? A second holiday home? A four-day week? A three-day week?
That part is personal, and it's important.
But there is another reason to make profit.
If this overlaps with another part of your business, work with our business coach is worth a look too.
You need profit to buy back your time.
At some point, if you're making good profit, you will need to sacrifice some of that profit to free yourself from tasks that should no longer be yours.
That is an investment, not a failure.
Profit gives you more than money freedom. It gives you time freedom as well. I'd go further and say it gives you mind freedom too, because when the right people are in place, you create some white space in your diary. You're not trying to do everything yourself, all the time, in a mild state of panic.
The Three Things I Think Matter
One of the things I talk about in my £5K Growth Model webinar is the three pillars of the Gro system.
First, strong foundations. Your numbers need to be up to date. Done every week. No surprises hiding in the wardrobe. The VAT is done on time. The tax returns are done on time. The bookkeeping tells the right story and it's accurate.
Second, profit improvement. This is where Profit First sits. It also means really understanding your numbers, knowing the key drivers, and creating a scorecard that pushes the business forward.
Third, wealth maximisation. That means thinking beyond the next tax bill. When was the last time you had a proper deep-dive tax review? Are you optimising all the ways available to save tax? Are you thinking long term about pensions, retirement, and how to maximise the value of the business over time?
If you put all three together, you give yourself a much better chance of generating the extra cash and profit needed to step back from the jobs that are trapping you.
Your Challenge This Week
Ask yourself what needs to change in the next three years so that you are no longer the person doing everything.
Then make sure your profit has a job to do: buying back your time.
P.S. Three Ways I Can Help
1. Watch the £5K Growth Model webinar
Free training on building a business that can generate an extra £5K a month. Access the webinar.
2. Explore the Gro Academy
Get free access and learn more about Profit First. Visit the Gro Academy.
3. Work with us
Book a free meeting and we can look at what profit may be on the table, along with any tax-saving opportunities. Book a free meeting.
Ready to take action? request a no-obligation strategy call.