Are you an entrepreneur who always feels like you’re working in your business yet nothing seems to be getting done? Do you find yourself getting caught up in planning and trying to make things perfect, spending hours on research instead of taking action and implementing your ideas? If so, you’re not alone. Many business owners struggle with this same issue. It can be frustrating and overwhelming. Let’s look at why this happens and how you can break away from feeling like you aren’t getting enough done.
YOU THINK IT NEEDS TO BE PERFECT
One of the most common reasons for feeling like you’re always working in your business but nothing is getting done is perfectionism. When you’re striving for perfection, it’s easy to get bogged down in the details and spend too much time planning and researching instead of taking action. It’s the reason I have countless blog drafts or training ideas that will never see the light of day. While it’s important to have a plan and do your research, you don’t want to get stuck in analysis paralysis. Sometimes, it’s better to take imperfect action and make adjustments as you go. Trust that what you have to say or offer has the power to help others, as it is right now.
YOU FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE TO DO IT ALL ALONE
Another reason you might be feeling stuck is that you’re trying to do too much on your own. As a business owner, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you have to handle everything yourself. Trying to take it all on can lead to burnout and counterintuitively, a lack of progress. Instead of trying to do it all, consider delegating and leaning into support where you can. This will free up your time and energy to focus solely on projects in your zone of genius that only you can do.
YOU DON’T KNOW WHERE TO START
When you’re overwhelmed with a long to-do list, sometimes it can be challenging to even know where to start. That’s even more true when you have items on your to-do list that can’t be finished in just 1 day. This is why it’s essential to get into the habit of using a project management tool like Asana. Getting your to-do list out of your head and into Asana not only lets you prioritize tasks, but it gives you clarity on where to start with larger projects. You can break down larger goals into smaller steps, and then assign yourself a realistic due date for each step. This way, you can see your progress and feel a sense of accomplishment as you work towards that big goal.
YOU AREN’T TRACKING PROGRESS
Lastly, you might be feeling stuck because you’re not tracking (or celebrating) your progress. Without a way to measure your progress, it’s so much more difficult to recognize the results of your hard work. A tool like Asana will come in handy here, too, and I also recommend making a quick note in your daily planner at the end of the day. As you close your day, jot down the top 3 things you’re celebrating that you got done. On some days, I bet it will be hard for you to limit it to just 3. This will help you see the progress you’re making and stay motivated to keep going.
I get it, feeling like you’re in a perpetual cycle of busyness without accomplishing meaningful results is draining. By taking time to find the underlying causes of why you feel this way and proactively tackling them, you can shift into celebrating all of the action that you are taking in your business. Embrace the concept of imperfect action, delegate when possible, prioritize effectively, and recognize your progress. At the end of each and every day, remind yourself that you are enough and you did enough.