If you run a small business, you’ve probably had this moment.
You sit down at your desk, look at everything on your plate, and think, “This business used to be mine. Now it’s running me.”
You feel stuck. Overwhelmed. Burned out. Maybe you’ve even thought about throwing in the towel.
When that moment hits, you don’t need motivation. You need a reset.
Here’s how to get back in control.
Start with a time audit.
Get out a piece of paper and write down where your time actually goes. What are you doing each hour? When do you start and stop work? When are you resting or recovering? Most of us don’t realize how we’re spending our days until we see it in writing.
Then look at your money.
Where is your money going? Are you spending on marketing that doesn’t bring results? Have your expenses crept up without you noticing? Is your profit margin shrinking? Small leaks can sink a great ship, especially when you're too busy to notice.
Now comes the tough one. A client audit.
Not every client is a good client. Some are demanding. Some are disrespectful. Some drain your energy and kill your creativity. What if you fired one or two? Yes, there might be a short-term hit to your bottom line. But there’s a long-term gain in peace of mind, and in the way your business feels day to day.
Finally, do a work audit.
Look at the actual product or service you’re delivering. Does it light you up or wear you out? The fastest way to burn out is to stay busy doing work that doesn’t inspire you.
These four audits—time, money, client, and work—can bring clarity fast. They show you what’s working, what’s not, and what needs to change.
And once you see it, you can fix it.
You built this business for freedom. If you’ve lost that, it’s time to take it back.
