The Best Business Advice I Ever Ignored (Until It Was Almost Too Late)
When I was just starting out in business, I read a book by Michael Gerber. This was the core focus:
“Don’t just work in the business—work on the business.”
Too busy to think
Back then, I was coding during the day, handling proposals at night, managing clients somewhere in between, and generally trying to do everything myself. Growth meant more work, more chaos, more duct tape.
I wasn’t working on the business. I was sprinting in it—head down, inbox full, and calendar jammed. And I told myself that was what success looked like.
It took nearly burning out, missing some important family moments, and watching key people leave for me to finally listen to that advice.
Working on the business meant stepping back.
Not to disengage—but to lead. To think about where we were headed. To build systems. To delegate, hire better, and create a company that didn’t depend on me being everywhere all the time.
When I started carving out time to work on the business, things changed:
- We hired stronger leaders
- Our delivery process became repeatable
- Client relationships deepened
- Profitability improved
- I slept better
Funny how that works.
What I’ve learned since
That advice wasn’t just good—it was essential. And the best leaders I know? They carve out regular time to work on their business like it’s a non-negotiable.
They treat strategy like a discipline, not a once-a-year retreat.
They document what works so others can repeat it.
They create a culture where growth doesn’t mean chaos—it means clarity.
So here it is again:
Don’t just work in the business. Work on the business.
You can thank me later. Or ignore it and learn the hard way. Either works—I’ve done both.