Are You Running Your Business – or Is It Running You?

It starts with a missed lunch. Then a late night. Then another….

Before long, you realise your business, the one you built, nurtured, poured your heart into, is running YOU. 

The firefighting, jumping from one issue to another, making decisions on gut feel rather than careful consideration, it’s got a hold on you and you can’t seem to catch a breath.

If you feel trapped in the day-to-day, you’re not alone.

Without a clear plan, clarity in your numbers, and support where you need it, even the most successful business can start to feel like it’s running you.

The Firefighting Trap

It wasn’t the dream – wrestling spreadsheets at 10pm or waking up at 3am worrying about wages. Yet this is the reality for so many founders. The fast pace of growth, or even just keeping the lights on, can pull you into a cycle of reacting instead of responding.

You’re constantly ‘on’. And yet, for all the effort, progress feels…fuzzy.

You definitely haven’t got an ‘effort’ problem, you have a ‘clarity’ problem.

What You Need Isn’t More Hustle. It’s More Foresight.

The solution? It’s not working harder, but seeing clearer.

• Forecasting: Instead of scrambling to fix what’s gone wrong, start to predict what’s coming. With the right financial insight, you can see where your business is headed, before you’re in the thick of it.

   

• Planning: Start making intentional choices based on data, not gut. You set direction, measure progress, and feel more in control.

   

• Clarity: Gain confidence. That feeling of constantly being “behind” starts to ease, because now you’re ahead of the game. And nothing beats that feeling!

   

Things You Can Do Now To Reclaim Your Time…And Your Mind

Start here to stop feeling so reactive and more in control:

Reconnect with Your Vision
What did you set out to build? When was the last time you looked at your goals, not just your inbox?

Audit Your Headspace
Write down everything you’re currently worrying about in the business. Then highlight what’s in your control. That’s your starting point.

Name Your Blind Spots
Numbers? Planning? Pricing? Delivery? You don’t need to master everything – but you do need to name the areas where you need support.

Choose One Thing to Let Go Of
Firefighting is often a sign you’re doing too much. What’s one thing you can delegate, defer or ditch this week?

Your Monthly ‘Why?’ Meeting
Once a month, look at last month’s results and ask “Why did we hit (or miss) our targets?” Don’t settle for vague answers. Dig.

Forecast Fridays
Spend 30 minutes every Friday updating a rolling 12-week cash forecast. Get visibility on your upcoming costs, debtor days, and expected income. A simple 3-month cash forecast can be a game changer – it’s one of the fastest ways to calm financial anxiety.

Revenue Reality Check
Review your top 5 customers or services. Are they as profitable as you think they are? (Spoiler: they often aren’t.)

Price Confidence Review
Are you charging enough? Most business owners aren’t. A small price increase with the right messaging could be the easiest win this year.

The “What If?” Drill
What happens if a key customer leaves? Or you land three big orders at once? Start building simple what-if scenarios to strengthen your decision-making.

Meet Your FD or Accountant With Questions Ready
Don’t just ‘receive’ financial reports – interrogate them. Ask what the numbers actually mean. Are your products/services priced right? Where are you making (or losing) money? Are you on track to meet your goals?

Block Out a CEO Hour Each Week
Set aside 60 minutes with no emails, no team interruptions, and no “to-dos”. Use this time to reflect on where the business is going, not just what it’s doing. What’s working? What’s unclear? What needs your attention in three months, not tomorrow?

The Impact of Strategic Finance

Many business owners think they need to “get the numbers sorted” before they work with someone us. But you hire us to help you do that.

You don’t need to hire a full-time FD to reap the benefits of one. Finance Directors aren’t just for big businesses. We make sense of the numbers, create forward-looking plans, and bring calm to the chaos.

You started your business with a purpose. A mission. 

Step out of the weeds, lift your head up and ditch the pressure for progress.

Need a sounding board?
Book a free call to talk through where you are now, and what might help you move forward.