How To Stop Running in Circles

Imagine you’re running a business. Not walking, running.

Deadlines flying at you.

Decisions piling up.

Everything feels urgent, but nothing seems important.

Sound familiar?

That’s because you’re working in your business.

You’re head down, ticking boxes, making micro-decisions—left or right-aligned, Thursday or Friday, blue or green. But here’s the kicker: none of those choices will help your business grow. They’ll just keep it moving.

And there’s the problem.

The Trap of Working In Your Business

When you’re zoomed in on tasks, it’s easy to feel productive. After all, you’re busy, right?

But busyness isn’t the same as progress.

It’s like being on a treadmill. You’re sweating buckets, but the scenery never changes.

What you’re missing is perspective.

Stepping back, seeing the bigger picture—that’s working on your business. It’s where growth happens. It’s the difference between running in circles and building something that runs without you.

Why Every Business Needs an Operator

Think of a football team. The players on the field are the doers.

But who’s calling the plays? Who’s watching the game unfold, spotting patterns, adjusting tactics?

That’s the coach. That’s the operator.

Without an operator, the team is just a group of talented individuals, working hard but not necessarily working together. The same goes for businesses.

An operator focuses on systems, not tasks.

On the how, not just the what.

On the team, not just themselves.

They’re the person who makes the game easier for everyone else, dialing down the chaos so the team can focus on winning.

The Symptoms of a Missing Operator

When businesses lack an operator, three things happen:

Deadlines dominate: The focus is always on the next deliverable, never the bigger picture.

Tradition rules: Tasks are done a certain way because "that’s how we’ve always done it."

Isolation thrives: Team members work alone, without sharing knowledge or collaborating effectively.

Sound familiar? That’s not a team. That’s a collection of solo acts.

The Power of Routines

Here’s the secret to working on your business: routines.

Routines turn chaos into clarity. They answer the questions of what, when, who, and how. And they make those answers visible to everyone on the team.

When routines are documented and shared, magic happens:

Tasks can be delegated seamlessly.

Team members can spot inefficiencies and suggest improvements.

Everyone understands their role and how it fits into the bigger picture.

It’s not rocket science. It’s common sense written down and shared.

Avoiding the Pitfalls

Of course, there are traps to avoid:

Hoarding knowledge: Don’t become the bottleneck. Share routines so the whole team is empowered.

Messy systems: Routines need to be clear, measurable, and doable in one sitting.

Filling lists with ideas: Focus on actual tasks, not wishful thinking.

Systems aren’t about control. They’re about freedom. Freedom for your team to excel and for you to step back from the grind.

Where Family Business Consultants Come In

Here’s where it gets tricky.

For founders, creating systems can feel like handing over control of their baby. For teams, it can feel artificial—like the soul of the business is being stripped away.

That’s where family business consultants shine.

They understand the balance between structure and spirit. They help founders preserve their vision while empowering teams to thrive. They’re the bridge between the dreamer and the doer, ensuring that systems don’t just work—they work for you.

Ready to Make the Shift?

If you’re tired of running on that treadmill, maybe it’s time to get off.

Start building systems.

Start thinking bigger.

Start working on your business.

And if you need a hand finding that balance—between structure and soul, vision and execution—talk to a family business consultant.

Because the only thing worse than standing still is running in the wrong direction.