Every business owner will, at some point, find themselves at a crossroads. On one side lies the familiar terrain of relentless work—a place where success is synonymous with sacrifice. On the other, a promise of a balanced life where the business thrives without consuming every waking hour. The bridge between these worlds? Choices. In our journey as business owners, understanding the pivotal role choices play can reshape our paths and redefine success. Let’s dive in and look at how choices can liberate you from the confinements of owner overload .
1. When you recognize your choices, you take your power back
We've all been there. So engrossed in our work, so tired, that it feels like there's not a minute left to dream about a brighter future. It’s really easy to get into the trap of feeling like you HAVE TO do all things that you are doing – that you have no CHOICE. (Or as I used to say: “I have responsibilities, dammit!”) Yet here’s the thing: you are never truly out of options. You ALWAYS have choices. It might sound tough but realizing that you have choices—even when it feels like you don’t—is what can pull you out of that cycle of exhaustion and hopelessness. The belief that "I’m the only one who can do this" is a heavy chain that many business owners wear with pride, but it can be a self-fulfilling prophecy. When we think we’re the sole force propelling our business forward, we become just that.
2. When you’re in Owner Overload, it’s hard to see your choices
When you're knee-deep in the everyday grind, feeling like you're the only one who can handle everything, it's hard to see the bigger picture. This situation, what I call "Owner Overload," can cloud your perception of the choices available to you. Successful practitioners often have the resources—they just haven’t considered the various ways they can invest in easing their burdens. Why be consumed by tasks that aren't your strength when you can delegate them? The path to escaping owner overload is recognizing where your energy is best spent and understanding that there are tasks that others could do, freeing your time for some executive-level daydreaming. Consider this: isn’t your time better used in areas where you add the most value?
3. When you plan your exit, you open up more choices
Most business owners don’t stop to consider their exit until they’re ready to retire. (Which is a huge mistake!) It can be hard to think about “exiting” because it feels like an end. Yet, thinking about your eventual exit isn’t just about an end—it’s about a beginning. A beginning where you grant yourself more choices, more freedom, and an outlook that extends beyond the immediate. When you build your business strategy by considering your eventual exit, you give Future You more options. This frame of mind will also help you approach your business with an owner’s mindset, as opposed to an employee’s. Instead of being bogged down by minor tasks, you find solutions. You delegate. You grow. You lead. The challenges don’t disappear, but your approach to them transforms.
The Choices are Yours
It might sting a little to hear, but the power to change, to step out of Owner Overload lies within you. It’s about choices—recognizing them, embracing them, and using them to forge a brighter path. If any of this resonates, remember, you don’t have to navigate these choices alone.