We’ve all heard it before; “work ON the business, not IN the business.”
But for many of us, it ends up on the wish list, right next to “sort out systems” and “finally take a day off.”
The truth is, working on the business is one of the most important things you can do as a business owner, and it doesn’t have to mean taking a week off for a strategy retreat. Sometimes, it’s as simple as setting aside 90 minutes a week for clear thinking.
Here’s how to shift your mindset, act like a CEO, and move your business forward without dropping the ball on your daily tasks.
First, Think Like a CEO
It doesn’t matter if you’re a sole trader, consultant, or lead a team of ten—you’re the CEO of your business.
Too often, we downplay it. “I’m just a small business owner” or “It’s just me.” But that kind of thinking can keep you stuck in the day-to-day grind.
A CEO mindset starts with one question:
What does the business need from me this week?
Not what’s on your to-do list. Not what’s urgent. But what’s most important.
Reconnect With Your Why
Many of us started our businesses because we love what we do. It could be that you’re great at bookkeeping, design, legal services, or coaching. But then the business itself becomes a full-time job.
It’s easy to lose the spark. That’s why it’s crucial to reconnect with your why; the reason you started, the vision you’re working toward, and the type of business (and life) you want to build.
Even 30 to 90 minutes a week of “CEO time” can help bring that vision back into focus.
The CEO Daily Checklist
To help build the habit, here’s a simple 7-point daily checklist that’ll keep your thinking strategic and your time focused on what matters most:
- Set 3 Daily Goals – What are the three most important results to achieve today or this week?
- Check the Key Metrics – Look at your numbers daily—not just once a month. What’s your revenue, pipeline, or conversion rate doing today
- Find & Fix Bottlenecks – Where are things stuck? What’s slowing things down? Your job is to unblock it.
- Document 1 System or Template – Build one small process or system each day, even if it’s just a checklist or email draft.
- Delegate or Automate 1 Task – Free yourself from at least one repetitive task. Every small win counts.
- Plan the Next Week – Use part of your CEO time to map out your next steps. It’ll save you hours later.
- Reflect on Alignment – Are you doing what serves you, your customers, and your vision? Are you showing up as the business leader you want to be?
Start Small. Just Start.
You don’t need a full-day workshop or a big team to make progress. Set a weekly calendar reminder for 90 minutes of CEO time. Use it to review your checklist, plan, and make decisions that move the needle.
And remember, this isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing what matters.
Join local business owners at a D32 event and start building the habits, systems, and strategies that grow real businesses.
