Last week I caught myself wasting an hour on BizBuySell looking at gas stations.
Gas stations.
I don’t know the first thing about running a gas station.
But there I was, going down a rabbit hole that started with auto repair shops and ended with me thinking how much money we could make operating 3 bays (as a Midas) plus fuel, zyn & candy bars.
Sound familiar?
As business owners, we’re opportunity seekers by nature.
But that same quality can be our biggest weakness.
Here’s the truth:
The fastest path to growth isn’t finding the next shiny opportunity. It’s asking yourself two simple questions:
1. What are 1-2 things I need to STOP doing that I’m currently doing?
Most owners are drowning in tasks that should be deleted or delegated.
- Answering customer service emails
- Micromanaging bad employees
- Bookkeeping
Every minute spent on these low-impact activities is stealing time from high-leverage work.
2. What are 1-2 things I need to START doing that I’m not currently doing?
The highest-impact activities for most owners are:
- Strategic planning for expansion
- High-level relationship development
- Building systems that don’t require you
For me, I need to start time blocking my schedule.
I have a bad habit of “task-switching” that dilutes my attention and lowers my productivity.
I also need to stay off BizBuySell.
As a broker once told me, “that’s where businesses go to die.”
Here’s the simple formula:
- Delete what doesn’t matter
- Delegate what someone else could do
- Dedicate focused time to what only you can do
My challenge to you: Take 5 minutes today to answer those two questions.
What will you STOP doing?
What will you START doing?
Then most importantly, take action!
Cheers!
Brian
P.S. Reply with your answers: STOP doing + START doing?
I read every email.
