10 Signs You’re Working In Your Business, Not On It
By James Fleming, MD at The Power Within Training
Let me start with a confession: I spent the first few years of running my business doing absolutely everything.
Emails at 5am, chasing invoices at 11pm, juggling sales calls between client meetings, and convincing myself that being “flat-out busy” meant I was successful.
Spoiler alert: it didn’t. What I was really doing was working in my business, not on it. And it nearly burned me out.
If you’re a business owner (especially in construction or trade industries), you probably didn’t start your business to spend your life firefighting. You did it because you wanted more freedom. But somewhere along the line, that freedom got buried under site reports, supplier issues, and endless admin.
Here are 10 signs you might be stuck working in your business, not on it, and why recognising it might just be the first step toward real growth.
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You’re the first one in and the last one out
You wear it like a badge of honour, but if you’re the only one who can open, close, and keep the place ticking over, your business doesn’t run without you, and that’s a problem.
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Your to-do list looks the same every day
Quoting, invoicing, chasing suppliers, checking in with the team, reordering stock, answering emails… and repeat. If your days feel like a loop of admin with no room for strategy or growth, you’re working in the business, not on it.
At The Power Within Training, we teach business owners to prioritise their Must-Do List, the key actions that actually move the business forward. Even better… shifting focus to High-Payoff Activities (HPAs) like future planning, team development, and building better client relationships.
Being busy isn’t the same as being effective. If your schedule’s full but your growth has stalled, it’s time to break the cycle and focus on what really matters.
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You haven’t taken a proper holiday in years
And I mean a real break, not just sneaking in emails poolside or calling the site foreman between sightseeing stops. If you can’t step away, the business owns you.
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You’re the go-to for everything
From calming down a client to fixing the printer. If every issue ends up at your door, you’re not delegating. You’re firefighting.
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Growth feels like more work, not more freedom
You want to grow, but every time you think about taking on more jobs, it feels like more stress. That’s a sign your systems (or mindset) need a rethink.
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You’re solving the same problems over and over again
Late jobs. Missed emails. Team issues. If you’re stuck solving the same issues every week, it’s time to stop patching and start building.
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You’re not tracking performance, you’re winging it
Gut instinct is great, but it’s not a growth strategy. If you’re not clear on your numbers, your wins, and your gaps, you’re flying blind.
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Your team waits for you to make every decision
A team without autonomy drains your time and energy. Empowered people make better decisions, but only if you give them the tools and trust.
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You feel like the business is running you
If you’re constantly playing catch-up, it’s because there’s no margin to lead. Working in your business not on it leaves you exhausted and reactive.
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You’ve stopped dreaming bigger
You got into this to build something meaningful, right? But now you’re just trying to get through the week. That’s the clearest sign you need to step back and realign.
So, what now?
Recognising these signs is the first win. The next step is building a mindset and a plan that moves you from survival mode into true leadership.
That’s where we come in.
At The Power Within Training, we’ve helped thousands of business owners just like you shift from being the engine of the business to being the architect of its growth. Through our Business Growth Academy, Business Scale-Up Academy, and Business Coaching, we work with construction leaders, tradespeople, and SME owners to stop working in the business and start leading it properly.
Our coaches aren’t just trainers, they’ve built businesses, led teams, and know exactly what it feels like to be stuck. We’re not here with corporate jargon. We’re here with real strategies, practical tools, and a bit of tough love when needed. Whether you’re trying to build a more resilient team, delegate with confidence, or finally carve out time to work on the business instead of in it, we’ve got your back.
So if this article felt uncomfortably familiar, that’s a good thing. It means you care. It means you’re ready.
Because let me tell you something I wish someone had told me years ago:
The biggest shift in your business will come when you shift your mindset first.
Let’s build something brilliant.
Visit our site to learn more about how our programmes can help you stop firefighting and start scaling.
James Fleming
The Power Within Training
The Motivational Intelligence Company
james@tpwtd.com
