Many of you might have already seen that I covered this topic on my social media this week, but it’s so important that I felt the need to elaborate in a full-on blog post. How we talk to ourselves and think about our businesses are vital because our internal monologue drives our actions, and in turn, leads to our failure or success.

So what should you be asking yourself to keep your business running smoothly and achieve sustainable, consistent growth? Keep reading to find out 😉

1. Are you allowing yourself to rest when needed?

I know that it seems like energy is an infinite resource, but I’m here to tell you, it’s not. You are not a machine, and you are not able to work around the clock while putting forth your best work.

You need to take the time to relax and rejuvenate–even if you don’t feel like you can afford to take the time off–because it will make or break your business (and more importantly, your personal well-being).

Burnout is real, and it’s not pretty, my friend. So to avoid reaching that level of total exhaustion and disinterest, you need to give yourself the time and grace to take breaks.

Need some inspiration for your rest time?

Go for a walk outside and enjoy nature, go out to dinner with your partner, bake cookies with your kids, visit your family and take the time to chat, go shopping, meditate, hop on the spin bike, or just lay on the couch and watch trashy TV. It’s all good.

I promise you, when you start taking time away from work, it’s going to positively impact everything that you’re producing, and you’re going to see growth much more quickly.

2. What does your ideal business look like?

It might sound silly, but so many business owners haven’t taken the time to sit and think about what their ideal business looks like. They have an idea of what they want to do to get started, but overlook their long-term vision.

There are a million aspects to owning and running a business, and it’s up to you to figure out the model that best adheres to your ideal situation. Are you a b2b business? Do you sell a product? Do you picture yourself growing a team and creating an agency model? Or do you see your support in independent contractors without full-blown employees?

And what’s more, you need to decide how you desire your life to look as a business owner. Do you want to work 4 days a week instead of 5? Do you want the ability to unplug for a month and spend time focusing on family? Do want the week between Christmas and New Year’s off every year?

The beauty of being a CEO is that YOU get to decide what you want your business to be, and it’s your actions that will make it come to fruition.

3. Are you moving your business forward?

Moving through your days and weeks with a strategy in place will help your business continue to grow, so it’s vital to take inventory of how you’re spending your time.

Think of it like this: if you’re working on your business without a designated plan and just tackle any tasks that pop up, you’re confined to that treadmill. Running in place, but never getting closer to your destination. With a strategy in mind and utilizing your work time to carry out. your plan, you’re running on the road, baby. Every step you take IS getting you closer to where you want to be.

If you think you’re on the treadmill, it’s time to make some changes. And if you’re unsure where to start strategy-building? Reach out to me here. We can talk about your goals and where you are now, helping us to create a long-term vision and a step-by-step plan for how to get you there.

4. How will you manage the workload as your business grows?

As a business owner, anticipating and planning for the growth of your business is crucial for sustained success. Managing an expanding workload requires careful consideration to ensure efficiency and productivity. Handling every task yourself works in the early stages, but as your business grows, it becomes essential to explore alternative strategies.

Hiring a dedicated team (whether they’re employees or independent contractors) can distribute responsibilities, allowing you to focus on strategic decision-making and overall business development. This better allows for scalability but also enhances your ability to focus on the more abstract tasks yourself while your team can handle basic client communication, onboarding/offboarding, social media, and more.

Considering how to manage your workload as your business expands is not just about sustaining operations– it’s also about positioning yourself for continued growth and success in the competitive business landscape. And the time to think about it is NOW, before you’re struggling to keep up.

Need help deciding which team members to hire and when? I’ve got you! Connect with me here.

5. What does success look like to you?

As a business owner, you need to take the time to defin what success means on a personal level. While societal norms, especially in the age of unmanaged social media, often emphasize financial achievements as the primary marker of success. However, I want to warn you not to fall into that way of thinking. Success for entrepreneurs (and anyone, really) is highly subjective. Each business owner has unique goals, values, and aspirations that contribute to their individual definition of success.

Understanding and articulating what success looks like to you is crazy-important because it forms the foundation for decision-making, goal-setting, and long-term satisfaction. Success can encompass various elements beyond financial gains, such as personal fulfillment, work-life balance, impact on the community, time freedom, or the creation of a meaningful product or service.

By acknowledging that success is multifaceted, business owners can cultivate a more holistic approach to their endeavors, aligning their actions with their personal values rather than solely chasing external validations. It will also help you work towards a more positive mindset in your day to day life. This consideration not only fosters a more genuine sense of accomplishment but also guards against the misleading comparisons we’re all prone to making.

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So there you have it: the 5 questions that every CEO should ask themselves to create sustainable growth and to realize your long-term vision. Which question did you need to hear the most? 👀 Let’s chat about it in the comments!