Let’s get straight to the point: if your business is struggling, whether it’s flatlining revenue, a team that can’t execute, or cash flow that’s more like a cash trickle, the problem isn’t out there. It’s not the market, your employees, your customers, or your competitors.
It’s you.
And before you roll your eyes or close this tab, hear me out: This is the best news you could get.
Why?
Because if you’re the problem, you’re also the solution. You have the power to change everything. Let’s break down why you’re the bottleneck in your business and how to get out of your own way.
The Radical Truth: Your Business Is a Mirror
After years of working with business owners, manufacturers, HVAC contractors, custom home builders, you name it, I’ve seen one truth hold up every single time: Your business reflects you. Your habits, your mindset, your decisions. They show up in your profit margins, your team’s performance, and your growth trajectory.
If your business is a mess, it’s because something in your approach is off. That stings, I know. I’ve been there, staring at my own failures and realizing I was the common denominator. But here’s the flip side: When you take radical ownership of your results, you unlock the ability to fix them. No waiting for the market to turn or employees to “get it together.”
It’s all on you. And that’s empowering as hell.
The 5 Signs You’re the Bottleneck in Your Business
Let’s run a quick diagnostic. Here are five ways you’re likely holding your business back, and trust me, I’ve seen these in every industry from construction to consulting. If any of these hit home, it’s time to own it and act.
1. You Don’t Know Your Numbers
You think you’re profitable. You assume things are fine. But when someone asks about your gross profit margin, labor burden, breakeven point, or how your P&L ties to your cash flow, you’re either guessing or changing the subject. Running a business without knowing your numbers is like driving blindfolded: You might move forward, but you’re headed for a crash.
The Fix: Get intimate with your finances.
- Open Your Books: Pull up your P&L and balance sheet today. If you don’t understand them, hire a bookkeeper or take a crash course or of course connect with me and I’ll show you.
- Track One Key Metric: Pick one number, gross profit, cash flow, or customer acquisition cost, and monitor it weekly. Use a tool like Google Sheets or Excel for clarity.
- Ask for Help: If numbers scare you, find a financial advisor or mentor who can translate them into plain English. Knowledge beats fear every time. Find a business mentor, rarely have I found this in a CPA, Accountant, attorney or banker (no offense to those of you who are of this profession, but it’s the truth).
I once coached a contractor who swore he was “doing fine” but couldn’t tell me his profit margin. After digging into his books, we found he was losing money on 30% of his jobs. One month of tracking and adjusting pricing turned his business around. Numbers don’t lie – start listening.
2. You’re Stuck Doing $25/Hour Tasks
You’re answering emails, chasing quotes, fixing typos, or double-checking your team’s work. If your business grinds to a halt without you in the weeds, you don’t have a business, but a prison. Being a CEO isn’t just a title; it’s a responsibility to focus on strategy, growth, and leadership, not grunt work.
The Fix: Delegate and elevate.
- List Your Tasks: Write down everything you do in a week. Highlight anything someone else could handle, e.g. answering phones, scheduling, data entry.
- Offload 20% This Week: Train a team member or hire a virtual assistant for low-value tasks. Platforms like Upwork or Belay can help.
- Protect Your Time: Block two hours weekly for high-level work, planning, networking, or learning. Treat it like a client meeting you can’t cancel.
A client of mine was spending 15 hours a week on admin tasks. After delegating to a $15/hour assistant, she freed up time to land a $50K client. Stop being the bottleneck. Your business needs a leader, not a micromanager.
3. You Don’t Follow Through
You hire a coach, attend a seminar, or get killer advice from a mentor. You’re pumped… for about a week. Then you slip back into old habits, skipping meetings, ignoring KPIs, or putting off that tough conversation. New results require new routines, and that takes discipline you’re not showing.
The Fix: Build habits that stick.
- Start Small: Pick one change, like checking your revenue daily or holding a weekly team huddle and commit for 30 days. Use a tool like Habitica to track progress.
- Get Accountable: Tell a trusted colleague or mentor your goal and ask them to check in weekly. Accountability partners keep you honest. A mentor or business coach is the best avenue, that will also seek to elevate your results.
- Celebrate Wins: When you follow through, reward yourself, a coffee, a night out, whatever motivates you. Momentum builds momentum.
I worked with a business owner who kept “forgetting” to track his sales pipeline. We set a daily 10-minute check-in routine, and within a month, he closed 20% more deals. Discipline isn’t sexy, but it’s profitable.
4. You Blame Everyone But Yourself
The economy’s rough. The market’s saturated. Your employees are lazy. Your customers are cheap. Sound familiar? External factors exist, but they’re not the whole story. I’ve seen businesses crush it during recessions and tank during booms. The difference? The owner’s mindset. Excuses feel good in the moment, but they cost you everything in the long run.
The Fix: Own your results, no matter what.
- Reframe Challenges: Instead of “The market’s tough,” ask, “What can I do differently to stand out?” Write down three ideas and test one this week.
- Study the Best: Find a competitor thriving in your market. What are they doing that you’re not? Reverse-engineer their success.
- Drop the Victim Card: Every time you catch yourself blaming something external, pause and ask, “What’s my role in this?” Then act on it. Ask yourself the question: “What if this is all my fault?”
A retailer I know blamed “online giants” for slow sales. When she shifted to a niche market and invested in local marketing, her revenue jumped 35%. The market doesn’t control your fate – you do.
5. You Can’t Be Told Anything
Your ego’s running the show. You hire a consultant but argue every suggestion. You ask for feedback but get defensive when it comes. You want growth, but you’re not willing to change. The most successful business owners I’ve met share one trait: They’re humble enough to say, “Show me what I don’t know.”
The Fix: Embrace being coachable.
- Listen First: Next time you get advice, don’t interrupt or defend. Take notes and sit with it for 24 hours before responding.
- Test Before You Reject: Try one recommendation for 30 days, even if it feels weird. Measure the results, not your feelings.
- Surround Yourself with Smarts: Seek out mentors or peers who challenge you. Join a mastermind group or network, or seek out a business mentor.
I was once too stubborn to take pricing advice from a mentor. When I finally tested their strategy, my margins improved 15% in two months. Humility isn’t weakness, but a your superpower.
Why This Is the Best News You’ll Hear
If you’re the problem, you’re also the solution.
You don’t have to wait for the economy to rebound, employees to step up, or customers to magically appear. The power to change your business lies in your hands, your decisions, your mindset, your actions.
That’s not a burden; it’s freedom. Every successful entrepreneur I know has had to face their own flaws and fix them. You’re no different, and you’re just as capable.
Your Action Plan: Start Today
Here’s your checklist to stop being your own worst enemy:
- Know Your Numbers: Open your P&L and balance sheet. If they’re Greek to you, get help from a bookkeeper or a course or a business coach. Start tracking one key metric weekly.
- Delegate the Small Stuff: List your tasks and offload 20% of the low-value ones this week. Free yourself to lead.
- Commit to One Change: Pick one new habit, like a daily numbers check or a weekly team meeting, and stick to it for 30 days.
- Ask the Tough Question: “If someone bought my business today, what would they stop doing that I’m still doing?” Write down three things and eliminate one.
- Own It All: Stop blaming external factors. Take full responsibility for your results, and act like the CEO you’re meant to be.
Let’s Get Real
You’re not alone in this.
Every business owner I’ve worked with has had to face the mirror at some point. The ones who thrive are the ones who own their faults and take action.
So, what’s one area where you know you’re holding your business back?
Drop a comment below. I’d love to hear your story and share some practical tips to help you move forward. Stay tuned for the next edition, where we’ll dig into another way to break free from your own limitations and build the business you deserve.
