Ever feel like you’re drowning in work—always busy but never truly moving forward? Small business owners, especially solopreneurs, know this struggle all too well. But the secret to growth isn’t squeezing in more hours—it’s working smarter. By streamlining how we work, we can free up valuable time to focus on what actually moves our businesses forward.
Imagine reclaiming 90 minutes a day. A recent Slack study found that small business owners lose an average of 96 minutes of productivity daily—time that could be spent growing your business instead of spinning your wheels.
The Hidden Barriers
I’ve seen three common barriers that hold businesses back:
The Self-Sufficiency Trap – Thinking you must do everything yourself.
The Blind Spot Problem – Not knowing easier solutions exist.
Fear of Spending Money – Hesitating to invest in tools or help.
The Self-Sufficiency Trap
Many business owners fall into the trap of thinking they have to do it all themselves. I’ve been there—when I decided to build my own website, I quickly realized I was out of my depth. Instead of struggling, I found a way to outsource affordably. (See the full story in the sidebar →)
The Blind Spot Problem
Sometimes we don’t see better solutions simply because they aren’t on our radar.
One of my pet peeves? Business cards. Nobody wants to keep them anymore. They’re outdated and often tossed. But what’s the alternative?
I found out over lunch when a friend said, “Here, tap your phone on this card.” Instantly, his contact info and website popped up on my phone. I saved it with one tap. Who knew?
Who knew, indeed? It made me wonder—how many other tools and shortcuts am I missing? The truth is, we all have blind spots when it comes to efficiency. And the best way to uncover them? Talking to other business owners.
When you network, collaborate, and engage with peers, you gain new perspectives and discover tools, strategies, and shortcuts you didn’t even know existed. It could be through a small business consultant like me or simply having conversations with providers and peers in your industry. The more we connect, the more we learn—and the easier running a business becomes.
Fear of Spending Money
“I can’t afford that!” is a common refrain. But the cost of inefficiency is often far greater.
I could have built my own website, but how many potential clients would I have lost if they couldn’t navigate it? How many do I gain now because they can easily find what they need and request support in a well-designed space? I was careful and frugal in my investment, and in the end, I’m thrilled with the results.
How My DIY Website Almost Held My Business Back
Back in the late ‘90s, I built websites from scratch with HTML. In 2010, I built a pretty solid WordPress site. So naturally, when I launched Beyond Aligned Books, I thought, I’ve got this!
I did my research, found a hosting provider that worked with WordPress, and figured I’d be good to go.
Reality check: The second I got in, I realized technology had moved way beyond my skills. What used to be simple was now buried under layers of updates, plugins, and configurations I didn’t understand.
I had three options:
Struggle through. Spend hours troubleshooting—and still end up with a subpar site.
Invest in training. But I’d never match an expert’s skill level.
Outsource. Set a clear budget and scope, and get it done right the first time.
What I did: I chose to outsource. I found a vetted freelancer within my budget, and he built exactly what I needed—quickly and professionally.
Lesson learned: Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should. My time was better spent elsewhere, and outsourcing saved me time, stress, and frustration.
Sound familiar? If you’re stuck in DIY mode, ask yourself—where is your time best spent?
Another great way to reduce costs while ensuring quality is through referrals. When you talk to other small business owners, you not only gain insights into smarter ways of working but also get connected to trusted service providers who have already been vetted. A good referral can save you from costly trial and error, helping you find the right expertise at the right price. The power of word-of-mouth recommendations is invaluable—whether it’s for a web designer, accountant, or virtual assistant, tapping into a trusted network can be a game-changer.
Working Smarter, Not Harder – Some Examples
There are three different approaches to working smarter:
- Process Improvements – Optimize how you use the tools you already have.
- There’s an App for That – Invest in software, automation tools, and necessary training for proficiency.
- Outsourcing – Find the right help to free up your time.
Process Change Success
Stuart was frustrated that his web developer was publishing changes to production without his review. One time, a big announcement went live before it was official, forcing him to take the website down for hours.
We developed a simple approval process instead of an expensive software solution. Now, all changes are reviewed in edit mode before publishing—saving time, stress, and money.
There Is an App for That
Lee was constantly stepping away from clients in his salon chair to schedule future appointments, throwing off his entire day.
We implemented Calendly, an app that lets clients book available slots automatically. Now, Lee focuses on his in-person clients, and his personal time stays uninterrupted.
Hiring Out
The scariest solution for frugal small business owners may be the best option—and it’s often cheaper than you think.
You might think outsourcing is expensive—but my entire website cost under $300. The real question isn’t “Can I afford help?”—it’s “Can I afford to waste time struggling?” Even if you’re not ready to hire today, understanding the cost-benefit now will help you act when the time is right.
You Don’t Have to Do It All Alone
The most successful business owners know that working smarter—not harder—is the key to growth. Let’s start today.
Before You Go, Here Are 3 Quick Ways to Work Smarter Today:
✅ Audit Your Time – Track two days of work. What can be automated or outsourced?
✅ Try a New Tool – Pick one task (scheduling, email, finances) and find an app that simplifies it.
✅ Delegate One Task This Week – Whether it’s hiring a freelancer or handing off a process, start small.
Take the Next Step: Join My Free Webinar
Stop wasting time on what doesn’t move your business forward. Join my free webinar and discover real strategies to work smarter, reclaim your time, and grow—without burnout.
We’ll explore:
- The biggest efficiency mistakes small business owners make
- The smartest process, tool, and outsourcing strategies
- Real-life case studies of business owners who leveled up
Spots are limited
Bonus: Join the Small Business Referral Network!
I’m building a referral network for small business owners to share insights, tools, and expert recommendations. You can join by submitting the contact form below.
Have you found a game-changing tool, process, or expert? Let’s connect—I’d love to feature your experience! Please leave a comment.