I have a sign over my of my desk, "There is no sense doing well, that you should not be doing at all."
In discussion in peer advisory boards with small business owners, I try to get them to work on the business and not only in the business.
peer advisory boards
In most cases, entrepreneurs go into business for themselves because they are very good at the service or product they produce. They get into the habit of working in the business and feel they have to do, do, and do more. As the business starts to grow they do not get out of this habit and the business starts to stagnate. They don't think about marketing, improving their recruitment skills, or many other attributes of the business. They are too busy working in the business.
The key is delegation. I know you have heard this before, but this is a necessity to grow and prosper. Therefore, you must decide what you will do for the business. It's of little value to perform low level work, even if it saves you a few bucks. As the owner, your job is to sell you vision to your employees, find the very best employees, and set a strategic course for the company. Develop the service and product differentiation. Create the strategy to get you out of the commodity, low price selling arena. The Best Secrets of Great Small Businesses
First, think about the personal strengths you bring to the organization. This is the area you should put your emphasis. What are the areas that will bring the greatest return on your time and energy? So when you are busy, busy, busy--think about the opportunity cost this is costing your business. As per my motto, "There is no sense doing well, that you should not be doing at all."
You can get delegation techniques from my book The Best Secrets of Great Small Businesses.
