The Key to Transitioning From Working "In" to Working "On" Your Business

Happy Sunday!

If you’re reading this, I hope you’re enjoying a relaxing weekend and have found the time to allow your mind and body to rest. Find a tasty beverage, sit in a comfy chair with your feet up, and enjoy.

Last week, we dove into reinvesting your business profits to build financial stability. This week, we continue our series (4 of 6) by delving into the KEY to transitioning from working “IN” to working “ON” your business. Thanks for being here!

But before we get into the newsletter, here are some treats for you…

• The latest episode of Pay or Quit is live, and you don’t want to miss this one! We sat down with Employee Retention Expert Clint Pulver, who conducted over 11,000 interviews to uncover why employees stay and why they leave. If you've ever lost a great employee and wondered why—or want to make sure it doesn't happen again—this episode is for you. Listen here or click the video thumbnail below!

• If you’re a big fan of learning on YouTube, like I am, check out my channel @ShawnAustinJohnson 

The Shift From Operator to Strategist

Here's a quick story to kick us off. A few years ago, my wife and I made the shift from working "in" the business to focusing entirely "on" it. By spending just 2-3 hours a week on strategic growth opportunities, we freed up time to travel for months and spend more time with our kids. This approach eventually led to leading a merger across 5 states and 7 marketplaces. As CEO of the newly formed company, I guided it to a successful sale to a private equity-backed firm. None of this would have been possible if I had stayed stuck in the day-to-day operations.

As a business owner, it’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind—managing every detail, solving every problem, and feeling responsible for every part of your operation. But if you spend all your time working "in" your business, it becomes difficult to see the bigger picture and focus on what really drives growth. This hands-on approach, while well-intentioned, can keep your business from scaling to its full potential.

Besides, have you created a job for yourself or a business that can provide a lifestyle you’ve always dreamed of? 

The key to long-term success isn’t doing everything yourself. It’s transitioning to a leadership role where you’re working "on" your business—thinking strategically, making high-level decisions, and setting your business up for sustained growth. In this newsletter, we’ll dive deep into how you can make that transition and become a true business leader.

What Does It Mean to Work "On" Your Business?

When you’re working "in" your business, you’re doing the day-to-day tasks: managing staff, handling customer service, overseeing operations, and putting out fires. While these tasks are important, they don’t move the needle in terms of business growth. Ask yourself, could Steve Jobs have grown Apple the way he did if he had remained in the weeds, or was the one putting out the fires? Of course not.

Working "on" your business, however, means focusing on high-level strategies and decisions that shape the future. It’s about setting long-term goals, analyzing financial performance, exploring new markets, and making decisions that propel your business forward. Working on your business requires stepping back from operations and focusing on growth, expansion, and profitability.

Example: Imagine spending time developing a strategic plan to expand into new markets rather than managing routine administrative tasks. This shift in focus allows you to scale your business more effectively.

The Danger of Working "In" Your Business for Too Long

Many business owners fall into the trap of believing that no one can manage their business as well as they can. While it’s true that no one has the same level of passion and insight into your business, being involved in every detail can be detrimental in the long run. Here’s why: